Daley scrambles round the desk and rather unsubtly switches off his computer monitor, but not before Tyler catches sight of the telltale green background of a solitaire game.

“And I imagine you listened carefully to what he wanted and promised you’d pass the details on to your superiors?”

Daley blinks slowly and doesn’t reply.

“That’s what I thought.”

“There’s been some fires in the area, a bus stop or summat.” Daley sits down and immediately starts spinning in the chair. They’re all beginning to channel the spirit of Jim Doggett. “He reckons it might be connected to this place.”

Tyler stops the chair’s movement with an outstretched leg. “And you told him to piss off?”

“We’re up to our necks in a murder investigation, Tyler. We’ve got better things to do than investigate a couple of bonfires.”

“Like playing cards?”

Daley plucks a small white oblong from his pocket and launches it across the desk at him. “Here. Knock yourself out, sunshine.”

Tyler picks up the business card, glances at it, and slips it into his pocket. Then he crosses his own arms and holds Daley’s eye. Finally, Daley sighs, turns the monitor back on, and closes the card game.

—

Rabbani watches Daley raise his middle finger at Tyler’s departing back. When he becomes aware of her watching, he scowls. “Can I help you with something, love?”

“I just wondered if you’d spoken to the vicar yet, sir?” She means to offer help, but the way it comes out makes it sound like a criticism.

Daley shakes his head. “Jesus Christ!” He stands up. “I’m going for a smoke. How about you try minding your own fucking business while I’m gone?” The door swings back into place behind him, and Rabbani is left alone in the incident room.

She exhales loudly into the silence. She’d hoped it might be different once she was in plainclothes, that they might forget she’s still only a PC, not a detective. But if anything, it’s worse. It’s as though the confidence and ability she’s amassed over the last three years were all somehow locked within the black and white of her constable’s uniform.