And then, with a rush, it was all over. The jury didn’t even bother to retire and the foreman, a small, greying bank clerk, rose self-consciously. ‘We find that the deceased took her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed.’

‘And that is the verdict of you all.’ The foreman nodded and sat down. ‘Let it so be entered.’

There was a sudden hush as people sat up expectantly, waiting for the coroner’s closing words. ‘It is not within my province to make moral judgements. It is sufficient for me to say that on the evidence presented I must agree completely with the verdict of the jury. There is one disturbing feature of this case and it is this. Joanna Craig was not a registered drug addict and yet somehow or other she managed to obtain a daily supply. I trust that the representatives of the police present in court will see that this aspect of the affair is most thoroughly investigated.’

‘The court will rise for Her Majesty’s Coroner.’

There was a general move towards the exit and Brady turned towards Miller, his face grim. ‘And that’s that. The swine’s got away with it.’

‘What else did you expect?’ Miller said.

Colonel Craig and Harriet were still sitting down at the front and Vernon and Baxter had to pass them. For a moment, Vernon hesitated as if about to speak and then obviously thought better of it. He nodded to Miller and Brady as he passed them, face grave, and went out.

‘I wonder what Craig would have done if the bastard had tried to speak to him?’ Brady said.

Craig came towards them, Harriet hanging on to his arm. He smiled tightly. ‘Have you gentlemen time for a drink?’

Brady shook his head reluctantly. ‘Not me, I’m afraid. I’m in court again in ten minutes.’ He nodded to Miller. ‘I’ll catch up with you later.’

For the moment, they had the court to themselves and Harriet Craig said bitterly, ‘Justice – is that what they call it?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Miller said. ‘More sorry than I can say. We tried the Director of Public Prosecutions but he told us we hadn’t got even the shadow of a case. I was hoping something might come out at the hearing. As you probably noticed, things are pretty informal in a coroner’s court. No one gets worked up over procedure and so on which usually means that things have a chance to break through to the surface.’

‘But not in this case, it would appear.’

Craig put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. ‘Let’s have that drink, shall we? Do us all good.’