‘Yes. His cab dropped him outside a building and then someone knocked him out. I heard him fall and then I heard the killer breathe down the phone, like really heavily.’

‘How did you feel?’

‘I was terrified. I didn’t know what to do.’

Archer chews her toast and takes a sip of the hot tea.

‘You called the police?’

‘Yes, I spoke to some woman, but she was really unhelpful.’

‘Was that Detective Inspector Archer?’

Archer stops chewing and sets down her mug.

‘Yeah. That’s her name. She and Jamie know each other, you see.’

‘So, what is their relationship – are they dating?’

‘Yes, but perhaps more than that.’

‘Did he meet her on Tinder?’

‘Wouldn’t be surprised.’

Archer grimaces, her mug hovering an inch from her mouth.

‘Jamie has a thing for her. He likes her.’

The screen behind the anchor changes to a photograph of Archer kneeling over Jamie’s body seconds after his fall from the vitrine.

‘That’s a special shot, isn’t it?’ says the anchor. ‘A reversal of the knight in shining armour.’

‘If you say so,’ Victoria replies with a nonchalant air.

Archer feels her stomach turning and presses hard on the remote control off switch. She knows there will be comeback for Dunmore-Watson suggesting that she and Jamie are in a relationship, regardless of how new and insignificant it is. She needs to get to work quickly and stamp out that fire before it spreads, if it hasn’t already.

Pulling on a khaki raincoat, she tightens the belt at her waist and pulls up the collar. It’s inadequate for the cold morning but she can’t face the whole day with the smell of formaldehyde on her winter coat. She bundles it into a bin liner and takes it with her as she leaves the house. She’ll drop it at the dry cleaner’s on Bedfordbury on the way to Charing Cross Station.

As she leaves the house on Roupell Street, her phone rings. It’s DCI Pierce.

Fuck.

‘Good morning, ma’am.’

Pierce doesn’t return the greeting, but sighs heavily before saying, ‘Like most of the country, DI Archer, I’m sure you have seen the news this morning.’

Archer swallows. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘We’ll discuss that later. In the meantime, I’m removing you as SIO for the @nonymous murders. DI Hicks will take over. Please show him the same support he has given you.’

Archer’s heart sinks. ‘But, ma’am . . .’

‘Briefing first thing. I expect to see you there.’

With that the DCI ends the call.

*

Quinn is sitting at his desk, fingers banging on the keyboard. He doesn’t look up when she walks in. Sergeant Beattie is talking on the phone and nods a ‘good morning’ as she hangs up her coat. She mouths a return ‘good morning’ and sits at her desk.

‘Morning,’ she says to Quinn.

Quinn stops typing. ‘Did you see the news?’