‘I’ve heard,’ Lucy replied. ‘Andy Northwood, eh?’

‘Just goes to show … there’s always a bigger fish. Poor Flash Andy, eh? How upsetting.’ Tucker wasn’t obviously being sarcastic, but neither did he look even vaguely aggrieved by the news. ‘But we shouldn’t gloat too much. Apparently, it’s a real mess. Multiple shots fired, lots of serious injuries.’

‘And you’re on it?’

‘Assuming the Squad gets assigned. Kathy’s up for it … she’ll take any job at the mo if it keeps us in business.’ He glanced enquiringly at Lucy. ‘You okay to drive home?’

‘I’ve only had one lager.’

‘I’ll walk you down to your car.’

She shrugged, and went out with him. Her normal response to an offer like this would have been to bridle with indignation, but she knew he hadn’t meant it the way it sounded. Danny Tucker was well aware that if there was one thing Lucy didn’t need, it was a chaperone. They walked down through the pub and around into the station’s personnel car park. At this late hour, there were only one or two vehicles dotted around. Lucy’s Jimny sat alone.

‘Heard a rumour you were a biker chick,’ Tucker said as they strolled over there.

‘I’ve still got the bike, but it lives in my mum’s shed these days,’ she replied.

‘Oh.’ He sounded disappointed.

‘It’s not neglected. I take it out for a spin now and then.’

‘That’s good to know.’

He was attempting to register interest, but she knew that his enthusiasm was not for her Ducati.

At the car, she turned to face him. He stood with hands jammed into his jeans pockets. He was several inches taller than she was, but they met each other with a mutually penetrating gaze.

‘The way I see it,’ he said quietly, ‘we’ve got about twenty-five seconds before everyone starts piling out here.’

He leaned down towards her, only for Lucy to step backward.

‘Danny … I …’ She was surprised how much of a struggle it was to get these words out. ‘I kind of have rules about this.’

‘Yeah?’ He sounded bemused.

‘You and me … we’d see each other every day. Especially if I can wangle my way onto Robbery Squad, which you know I’m keen to.’

Now, he looked bemused too. ‘And that’d be a problem?’

‘I don’t know … I really don’t.’ It irritated Lucy how hapless she sounded. ‘I need some time to think about it.’

‘Well …’ He checked his watch. ‘We’ve now got ten seconds.’ He smiled again, but the normal good humour was a little lacking. There was no hiding the disappointment he clearly felt.

‘I’m not saying “never”,’ she said. ‘I’m not even saying “no”. But this has all happened really quickly for me. I don’t know if I’m ready. I’ve gotta give it some thought.’