Jane rearranged her sister’s pillows and straightened the sheets, then kissed her sister’s cheek. “Well, congratulations! What are you going to call her, Fergie? Eugenie? Beatrice? I mean, now it’s all private . . .”

Pam pulled a face. “Well, Mum’s actually hinted . . .”

“What? No, you can’t call her Edna!”

They were interrupted by a nurse, who gave Jane a pleasant smile that nonetheless indicated that she shouldn’t be there. “It’s time for her feed, I’m afraid. Beautiful, isn’t she?”

She disappeared with the baby, and Jane prepared herself to leave.

“You can tell this is private: no bells and everybody out!” She kissed Pam’s cheek and smiled. “I gotta go, anyway.”

“Thanks for coming. Give my love to Peter.”

“If I see him I will . . .” She hesitated at the door. “It’s all off.”

Pam was instantly concerned. “Oh, no! Why?”

Jane shrugged. “You know me.”

“Is there someone else? I mean, are you OK?”

“No, there’s no one else. I’m . . . It was a mutual decision.”

“Well, you know what you’re doing. Is the case we saw on television over?”

Jane paused before she answered. Her family’s total lack of understanding when it came to her work, to herself, on top of Peter leaving, swamped her, but she managed to keep her smile in place.

“No, I haven’t got him—yet!” She gave her sister a little wave. “G’night, God bless the baby.”

As she closed the door behind her, only the expression in her eyes betrayed Jane’s loneliness. She had made a tremendous effort, forcing herself to come here. Having done her duty, at last she could go home and cry.

Chapter 10

10

“What in Christ’s name do you think you’re playing at?” Kernan demanded.

“We had good reason to search Marlow’s flat,” she protested. “Bloke he was in jail with said he had a lock-up . . .”

“I’m not talking about Marlow! You’ve had Sergeant Amson going over Shefford’s record sheets.”

How the hell had he found out so quickly? She opened her mouth to speak, but Kernan ploughed on, “If you want information regarding one of my ex-officers, then you know bloody well you should have come to me!”

“I think we’ve got our wires crossed here.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Jane! Are you so desperate? It’s pretty low, just because you can’t prove your case, to try shifting the blame to John Shefford!”

“I first mentioned my suspicions to Sergeant Amson last night, and until I have more evidence . . .”

“I’m telling you, back off! If there was one viable piece of evidence against DCI Shefford, you should have brought it to me. And don’t harp back to the diary, that’s sorted, and Otley’s paid for it. Don’t try to do my job, Inspector.”