‘At Max Vernon’s place, the Flamingo, about six weeks ago. The regular drummer was ill that night and Fenner stood in for him. Apparently it was Vernon’s birthday and he threw a big private binge. Fenner remembers the girl because Vernon kept her with him for most of the evening, which Fenner says is highly unusual. Apparently our Max prefers variety.’

‘Now that is interesting,’ Miller said. ‘Fenner’s certain he’s never seen her at any other time?’

‘Dead certain – is it important that he should have?’

‘Could be. Look at it this way. The girl wasn’t a registered addict, we know that, so where did she get the stuff from? If she’d been working the prescription racket outside the all-night chemist’s regularly, Fenner would have seen her many times. An addict needs at least one fix a day remember. Usually more.’

‘Which means that someone must be peddling the stuff?’

‘Could be.’ Behind Miller, the door opened as Martha Broadribb returned and he added hastily, ‘I’ve got to go now, Jack. I’ll see you back at the office in half an hour.’

He turned, eyebrows raised enquiringly, and Martha shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Nicholas. Not a thing. There was one Joanna on file, that’s all – a West Indian nurse.’

Miller sighed and stood up. ‘Never mind, Martha, it was just a hunch. Thanks for the tea anyway. I’ll leave you a copy of the photo just in case.’

He dropped it on the desk and as he turned, she placed a hand on his arm, concern on her face. ‘You’re worried about this one, aren’t you? There’s no need to be. Something will turn up. It always does.’

He grinned and kissed her briefly on the forehead. ‘Don’t work too hard, Martha. I’ll be seeing you.’

The door closed behind him. She stood there staring blankly at it for a moment, then took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, sat down at her typewriter and started to work.

Brady was sitting on the other side of Grant’s desk when Miller looked round the door of the Superintendent’s office. Grant waved him in at once.

‘Jack’s been filling me in on your progress so far. You don’t seem to be doing too badly. At least you’ve got a name for her now.’

‘Which doesn’t seem to mean a great deal,’ Miller said. ‘I’m afraid Martha Broadribb couldn’t help at all.’

‘Never mind,’ Grant said. ‘Something will turn up.’

Miller smiled. ‘The second time I’ve been told that today. Anything through from C.R.O. on Max Vernon and company yet?’

Grant nodded, his face grim. ‘And it doesn’t make pleasant reading.’ Brady started to get up and the Superintendent waved him down. ‘You might as well hear this, Jack. I’ll be circularizing the information anyway.’