Graham stood. He’d been sitting at the very back, but he couldn’t hide in the most crowded of rooms. Ava wondered how he’d ever been selected for undercover work at his size, and it wasn’t just his height. The man was a mountain – 100 per cent rugby-playing Highlander.

Overbeck had been almost girlish while they’d been interviewing him. She hadn’t sworn once. Ava wasn’t impressed by muscles, but Graham had proved himself invaluable in the department’s last major operation. He pushed the rules when it was necessary to get results, and had shown himself to be both trustworthy and decent.

Ava was pretty sure he wasn’t just playing the promotion game. She had no time for police who wanted to climb the ladder as quickly as possible. That wasn’t the point of service. Pax Graham had seen his share of danger and discomfort. He was popular with his superiors, as his references had proved, but equally well liked by his peers, which was a much more significant compliment. You could be the best manager in the world, but if the men and women under your command didn’t like you, they wouldn’t respect you, either.

Graham moved to the front of the room to many slaps on the back and congratulations. Overbeck shook his hand and ceded the floor.

‘Thank you,’ he grinned. ‘Some of you have worked with me in previous operations, but if not you’ll find out I like to keep my head down and get on with the job. I’m looking forward to working alongside DI Callanach.’

As he continued to introduce himself, DS Lively stood up and made his way between bodies to stand at Ava’s side.

‘Were there no other options for the post?’ he whispered. ‘It’s like someone drew a cartoon character of an eighteenth-century Scot and brought him to life.’

‘You’re not serious,’ Ava muttered in response. ‘Are you never bloody satisfied? Do you remember what you put DI Callanach through for being French when he started? Now you’ve got the archetypal Celt and you’re still not happy.’

‘You’re right there. Do you see the look on the boss’s face? That’s more than just professional courtesy.’ Lively crossed his arms and frowned.

Ava smiled at him. ‘Sergeant, are you actually jealous? Please say you are. That would make me happy in a way I thought I was too cynical ever to feel again.’

‘Due respect, ma’am, sod off,’ Lively said. ‘So who did you get in a fight with?’

‘A wall,’ Ava said. ‘Misjudged it.’

‘Shame I missed that,’ Lively said, back on his usual form.

‘You’d have enjoyed it. I was wondering who to pair you with for the next investigation. Let me know if you’d prefer to be on DI Graham’s team or back with Callanach.’