‘It’s our worst enemy. Look.’

He handed it over. There on the screen was the photo of Chris and Joe in the pub, heads touching, both of them grinning in an alcoholic semi-embrace, his eyes just a touch red.

‘Where did this come from?’ Joe asked as he read the Twitter post that accompanied it:

Detective Romano of #LeedsCID enjoying a drink tonight with unknown lady friend. He’s more handsome than you @SamRomanoLS12!!!!

‘Now look at the number of retweets, Joe.’

There were over a hundred. Joe passed the phone back, and tried to think. He couldn’t work it out.

‘Some girl called Gemma, ring any bells?’ Andy asked.

‘Oh God, she’s a friend of Sam’s.’

‘Is she now! Well, unless you’d forgotten, you’re the SIO on the Shaw murder. Your name’s been on the press releases, it’s public knowledge. Meanwhile, you’re out getting pissed a day after the second murder.’

‘But how did you see this?’

‘’Cos she’s bloody hashtagged us! The whole world’s seen it. I’ve just been on to the Yorkshire Post. Once it’s on their website, every bloody newsroom in the country’ll see it. Leeds detective investigates Graphite Assassin from a barstool. You dick!’

They both let the aggression disperse. From outside came the distant hammering of construction work. There was always building work going on at HQ, or nearby, a constant repetitive noise for all those with the luxury of an outside office.

‘This woman? Chris Saunders, right? She’s in the case file. Just tell me you’ve eliminated her. She’s not a witness, is she, Joe?’

‘I got pissed, but it was work. This is all…’

‘Sorry, Joe. Can’t listen to you. Not if she’s a witness.’

Andy waited until it had sunk in.

‘DPS?’ Joe asked.

‘Nah, internal. Just say you were doing background interviews. It’ll be OK.’

‘But I…’

‘Save it, Joe. I’ll be on the panel. Can’t hear it ’til then. Meanwhile, keep out of the news for a few days, and get your story straight, all right? Gwyn’s taking over. He’s all I’ve got. And he’s already working with Kirklees. It makes sense.’

‘Gwyn? No, no, Andy. Look…’

‘No more.’

‘Andy, you’ve got to…’

‘No, you’ve gotta shut your mouth. Now.’

Joe sighed.

‘I can’t believe what just happened.’

‘Believe it.’

‘Am I suspended?’

‘As soon as we get round to ordering the investigation. It might not come to that. Just keep a low profile. I’ll see what I can do.’

Joe waited, expecting more.

There was nothing more.

Back in the operation room, the chatter fell away immediately, discretion having lost out to schadenfreude.