“No. I don’t remember anything like that. I was feeling anxious, all tensed up, for some reason. Don’t ask me why. I don’t believe in premonitions or anything silly like that. There’s no reason why I should, except it happens sometimes. If I can’t get to sleep I start to feel apprehensive.”

“I know the feeling,” said Banks. “What time was this?”

“I can’t say exactly, but it wouldn’t have been that long after I went to bed. Around eleven o’clock, perhaps? Maybe half past at the latest.”

Between eleven and half past. That fit the time span Dr. Burns had already indicated, Banks thought. “And you thought you heard a car engine turning over, then start up noisily, after someone had kicked or opened and closed your bin?”

“Yes.” Mrs. Grunwell was twisting the handkerchief between her gnarled fingers. “How can someone do something like that, Mr. Banks? Kill a poor, defenseless young man and put his body in a rubbish bin. I’m frightened. What if they come back? What if it’s a drug gang? What if they think I might have seen something?”

“I wouldn’t worry about that, Mrs. Grunwell. Half the street might have seen or heard something. The gears screeching or the noise from the bin. They can’t come back and eliminate everyone.” He realized before he finished that he never should have opened his mouth.

Mrs. Grunwell put her hand to her chest. “Eliminate? Do you think it could come to that?”

“Of course not. And there’s no evidence of gang involvement. I can understand why you might be frightened, but really there’s nothing to worry about. Perhaps it would make you feel more at ease if there’s someone you can call. Your children, perhaps?”

“They flew the coop years ago. One lives in Inverness and the other in Toronto. Couldn’t get far enough away. Besides, they’re all grown up with families and responsibilities of their own. I’m a great-grandmother, you know. But there’s Eunice. Eunice Kelly. She’s my best friend. She used to live right next door but now she’s in sheltered housing out Saltburn way, by the sea.”

“Do you think she would come and stay with you if you explained the situation? Would it make you feel better to have a friend nearby?”

“Oh, yes. I think so. But I’d rather go and stay with her until you catch whoever did this. She’s not got a lot of room, but I’m sure she would clear a little corner for me. I don’t need much. And a few days at the seaside would do my nerves the world of good.”

Banks nodded. “All right,” he said. “We can handle that. Will you ring her and make the arrangements, and I’ll make sure we get a car to drive you to Saltburn. Until then, there’ll be a police officer posted by your door.”

“Really? You can do that?”

“Of course I can,” said Banks. Edith Grunwell didn’t need to know that they didn’t have a budget yet. Hadn’t even got the green light for a full investigation. But they would, Banks felt certain. There was no doubt that it was murder, and a nasty one at that. And the victim was so young, not to mention Middle Eastern. Besides, if Area Commander Gervaise didn’t approve the budget, then he would bloody-well drive Edith Grunwell to Saltburn himself.