It had probably been thoughtless to snub his advances so forcefully. Would he now back her up when they spoke to Murphy about the Wilson sisters and the possible surveillance operations? Did it mean, yet again, she’d have to fight her own corner?

‘Why does this shit always happen to me?’ she muttered as she started the engine.

She knew if she went straight home she was still so upset she wouldn’t be able to get to sleep for ages. She decided to go back to the office and get her pocket notebook and Rachel’s notes, so she could type up her report at home after a calming hot bath and a glass of wine.

*

Katie was busy photocopying and didn’t hear Jane come in.

‘I thought you’d have gone home by now,’ Jane said and Katie jumped.

‘You startled me. What are you doing back here?’

‘I’m just picking up my notes so I can type my report at home.’

‘Murphy doesn’t like people to take their work home. You know, in case they lose it and it gets into the wrong hands,’ Katie said quickly.

‘It’s all right,’ Jane explained. ‘The notes are in my pocket notebook, which like every police officer I carry with me on the streets when I’m out making enquiries and often take home.’

She got her keys out of her coat pocket and opened her desk drawer.

‘What the fuck? Someone’s been in my desk and taken all my notes!’

‘You’re joking . . .’ Katie said, putting her hand to her mouth in apparent surprise.

‘Has anyone been back to the office while I was out?’

‘Only Murphy. I nipped out to the loo while he was here—’

‘Well, he must have a skeleton key because I locked it,’ she said, turning towards his office.

‘I think he has. Maybe he’s taken them with him to read.’

‘He’s got no bloody right to do that!’ Jane snapped.

She went into Murphy’s office and started to search his desk. Katie gathered up her photocopying, then put it in the bottom of her desk tray and started typing.

‘Were they in his office?’ she asked as Jane reappeared.

‘No. As much of an arsehole as Murphy is, I can’t believe he would be so underhand. Did the Colonel come back here earlier?’

‘No, I’ve not seen or heard from him since this afternoon.’

Jane checked the Colonel’s desk and trays. Then, as she scanned the room, she noticed two small screwdrivers on the table next to the photocopier. She looked at Katie, who was still typing with her head down. Jane thought it strange that she hadn’t lifted a finger to help her search for the notes. She checked the office duty sheet and saw that the Colonel had booked off about ten minutes before he came into the pub.