‘Sure are,’ Smiley said. ‘They weren’t too pleased.’

Lucy wasn’t completely sure that she blamed them. GMP had locked up on their behalf within a week of joining the enquiry, whereas West Mids had been hunting this offender for several months. It didn’t make them look great.

‘Anyway … as SIO, I’d better hang around,’ Tucker said. ‘If the rest of you have got your statements in, you can knob off early. Nothing else to do round here.’

Smiley nodded, looking pleased at the suggestion. She gave them both a mock-salute, and headed for the door.

‘Do you think he’s fit to stand?’ Lucy wondered, as the room emptied.

Tucker shrugged. ‘I think they’ll want to assess him. Seems like a bit of a split-personality to me. But you never can tell. Anyway … I thought you were going home?’

She pondered that. Technically, there was still another hour and a half of her shift to run. Tucker’s offer to send her home early was irregular but generous – especially as it would mean he’d be left here alone, waiting for the West Midlands Major Investigation Team to arrive. No doubt he’d have plenty more paper to fill in, but that wouldn’t be much consolation.

‘What time are you expecting them to pick him up?’ she asked.

‘This time of day, should only be a couple of hours on the motorway. But if they’re anything like us, probably take an hour and a half just to get their shit together.’

‘You’ll go out of your head.’

‘Nah.’ He grinned again. ‘I’ve got a certain pal up in the office who’s used to keeping me company. Ever met Detective Jim Beam?’

She chuckled.

‘You’re free to join us, if you fancy it,’ he said.

Lucy gave it some thought.

Everything about DS Danny Tucker was attractive. Not just his appearance or his easy, likeable manner, but his air of efficiency. Laid-back affability was more the sort of thing she’d associate with cops like Harry Jepson, who habitually and unconcernedly got things wrong. But there was no sign of such incompetence with Tucker. He was a rare beast indeed. Even so, though it would disappoint her mother no end, and tempted as she herself may be, Lucy remained adamant that she would never mix work and pleasure.

‘Thanks, Danny,’ she said. ‘But while you’re letting me go home early, I’m taking it. Stan Beardmore will want me back on Division some time tomorrow.’

‘No probs.’ If Tucker felt disappointment, he didn’t show it. ‘See you around.’ He moved away along the charge desk, to liaise with the custody sergeant.

Lucy left the Custody Suite still wondering if she’d done the right thing. Would a little nightcap have done any harm? Seriously?

Not that it mattered.