‘Good thinking, Katie. I’ll read the report while I have my breakfast – then when everyone’s in we’ll crack on with the meeting.’

‘There was something else that got phoned in last night.’

‘Fire away,’ he said as he bit into the roll.

‘The duty sergeant from Tottenham called last night and said a woman came to the station alleging some men in a local cafe were talking about a robbery.’

‘Is that it? No details of what she heard being said?’

‘I did ask but the sergeant said he was very busy and had just got her name and address when he had to take an urgent phone call. When he got off the phone the woman had left the station.’

‘I doubt the people we’re after would be so stupid as to openly talk in a cafe about a blagging they were going to do! Sounds like the woman’s a nutter looking for attention to me.’

‘I agree it’s probably nonsense, but it would be wrong of us to ignore it – so I was thinking WDS Tennison would be the ideal person to follow it up,’ she added with a bright smile.

Murphy took a mouthful of tea to wash his food down and grinned.

‘Draw up an action to interview the woman and I’ll give it to Tennison to deal with at the meeting.’

As she left his office, Murphy opened the envelope containing PC Turner’s report, feeling pleased with himself. He knew Katie would do everything she could to find fault in Tennison’s work, and that way he couldn’t be accused of carrying out a personal vendetta against her.

Katie approached Jane as she was sitting at her desk typing.

‘DCI Murphy is reading the traffic officer’s report. I explained to him why I put it on his desk and asked if I could give it to you, but he said he’d like to read it first. I’m sorry I forgot to mention it last night, but I wasn’t feeling well, and it just slipped my mind. Next time I’ll put anything that comes in for you straight on your desk.’

Jane looked up from her typing. She wondered if Murphy had said something to make Katie apologise for her behaviour. Or perhaps she really had just forgotten. After all, she’d just been having sex with Kingston, and was clearly flustered when Jane turned up.

‘Forget about it, Katie. Even if I’d known about the report last night no action could be taken until DCI Murphy had read it.’

‘Thanks. Would you like a hot drink?’

‘No thanks, I’ve just had one. I’ve nearly finished my report, then if you like I could type one of the statements on your desk.’

‘That would be great, but the office meeting will be starting as soon as everyone’s here.’

‘Well, I’ll do what I can before it starts.’