‘I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Do you really think he’d call everyone in at such short notice if he was playing games? It’s up to you whether or not you read it, but you might look stupid if you don’t know what he’s talking about.’

*

Murphy closed his office door then sat behind his desk.

‘You look like shit.’

Kingston sighed. ‘I feel like it, but I’ll survive . . .’

‘Hair of the dog?’ Murphy offered, opening his desk drawer.

‘No thanks. What’s Tennison’s report about?’

Murphy closed the drawer. ‘Don’t play the fool with me, Stewart. It’s obvious she’s already briefed you on it – even though she said she hasn’t.’

‘I haven’t read her report—’

‘That’s because she’s only just typed it up – but she inadvertently let slip she’d spoken to you about it.’

‘How?’

‘Some of her deductions, and the further enquiries she wanted to make, were too shrewd for someone who’s only been on the squad for two days – and only you and Katie were in the office when I left.’

‘I never meant to go behind your back. I just wanted her to try and get more evidence over the weekend, then speak to you.’

‘That’s fair enough. She’s done a good job as it is, and given us something positive to work on – which is more than the rest of the team so far.’

‘What’s made you change your mind about her?’

‘I haven’t. I still don’t want any women on the squad, but right now I need her as the go-between with the Wilson women. If their information turns up trumps, and we identify the blaggers with enough evidence to charge them, it’s a good result.’

Kingston suspected Murphy meant a good result for himself and not the team.

‘Did Tennison find out you told Katie to keep an eye on her?’

Murphy nodded.

Kingston looked surprised. ‘Katie grassed you up?’

‘She didn’t have a lot of choice after Tennison punched her in the mouth.’

‘Bloody hell. Tennison beat her up to get the truth out of her?’

‘Not exactly – Katie lost her rag with Tennison and went for her and she just defended herself.’

Kingston now realised where the bloodstained tissues had come from.

‘What made Katie go for her?’

Murphy shrugged. ‘I don’t know, neither of them would tell me. But I’ve got a feeling it might have had something to do with your . . . inclinations towards Tennison.’

‘I can assure you there’s nothing going on with Tennison. She’s made it quite clear she doesn’t mix business and pleasure—’