‘No further – did you talk to the guy? Did you ask him what he was doing with my mate? With this Tanya?’

The Sergeant looked irritated. ‘All normal procedures were followed,’ he growled. ‘Nothing was found to justify further action so the matter is officially closed. And now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.’

‘But what did the guy say?’

‘G’day, sir.’

Daily Routine Orders 15

Ha, ha, ha. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That’s the sound of Shelter having the last laugh, and no wonder. The enemy has attacked in strength and has been repulsed.

I’d just got back from buying boots and was feeding the damn cat when they arrived. Two officers in an Escort. One male, one female. I considered not answering the door but then I thought, why not? This was bound to happen eventually. Confront the enemy. Shelter old lad. No retreat. No surrender.

I was magnificent. Stowed my purchases in the cupboard. Smiled on the step, invited ’em in, offered coffee which they declined. How could I be of help? We’re making inquiries about a young woman, they said. This woman. They pushed a snapshot at me, suddenly, hoping I’d flinch or something – give myself away. Not a chance. ‘Oh, yes,’ I said, cool as a cucumber. ‘We’ve met. In fact she was here, in this very flat, just the other day. A week last Tuesday, to be precise.’

Well, of course they wanted to know why she’d been here-under what circumstances, at which point I went all shy and modest. ‘Ah, well,’ I said. ‘You see. I’m lucky enough to be quite comfortably off. I have money in the bank and a good pension, and I feel terribly sorry for those unfortunate young persons one sees sleeping out of doors in cardboard boxes and so forth, so now and then I – I invite one of them back here for a bath and a hot meal. I never let them stay overnight because – well – because I’m afraid I might be murdered in my bed, I suppose, but I usually give them a pound or two to help them on their way.’ At this point I shrugged and gave them my daftest grin. ‘It’s silly, I know, but it makes me feel better.’

‘It could be dangerous, sir, in all sorts of ways.’

‘I know, officer, but—’ The stupid grin again.

‘So you fed this young woman and gave her money?

‘Yes.’

‘Did you talk to her, sir – did she mention going away at all?’

I shook my head. ‘They tend not to talk about themselves. Inspector, and I don’t pry.’ He was a constable but I addressed him as inspector.

‘Of course not, sir. What time of day was it when she left the house?’