When Brady opened the door of the Coroner’s Court and peered inside, proceedings had already started. In spite of the fact that there were no more than half a dozen members of the public present, the court seemed overcrowded with the jury taking up almost one side of the room and the coroner high above them on the bench, the court officers below.

Miller was just leaving the stand. He noticed Brady at once and they went outside quietly and closed the door.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ Brady said. ‘I had a remand. How’s it going?’

‘I’ve just done my little act. Craig’s down front with Harriet. Vernon’s got Henry Baxter with him.’

‘That old shark?’ Brady whistled. ‘He’ll charge him plenty.’

‘Any word from Grant?’

Brady nodded. ‘Not good I’m afraid. He’s just heard from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. They’ve considered the matter and as far as they’re concerned, there isn’t even the beginnings of a case against Vernon.’

‘Never mind. It was worth a try and there’s still the hearing. You can never be sure what’s going to happen at a coroner’s inquest.’

They went back inside and sat down in time to hear Monica Grey take the oath.

‘You are Monica Alice Grey and you reside at 15, Argyle Road?’

‘That’s right.’

‘When did you first meet the deceased?’

‘About two years ago. We were both students at the College of Art.’

‘We have heard from Detective Sergeant Miller that she came to reside at the same address as yourself under the name of Joanna Martin. Why was that?’

‘She was having trouble at home. She decided to leave, but she didn’t want her father to know where she was living.’

Miller leaned forward slightly, intent on the proceedings. In his own case he had been compelled to stick strictly to the facts and what Monica Grey said from now on was going to be of crucial importance.

‘You were on close terms with the deceased?’

‘We were good friends – yes.’

‘She confided in you – discussed her troubles. For example, were you aware that she was a drug addict?’

‘I was, but only found out by accident. I happened to go into her room one day and found her giving herself a fix.’

The coroner glanced over the top of his spectacles sharply. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘An injection of heroin.’

‘And did she tell you what had started her on the habit?’

‘Yes, she said she’d passed out after having too much to drink at some party or other. Someone had given her an injection while she was unconscious.’

‘Why would anyone do that?’

‘I don’t know. For a giggle, maybe.’