Jane repeatedly rang the doorbell at the lounge bar entrance to the Crown pub in Leytonstone High Road, but there was no answer. She checked her watch – it was just after 8.30 a.m. – then she went to the saloon bar entrance and knocked on the door, but still there was no answer. She stepped back into the street to look up at Fiona Simpson’s flat above the pub; the curtains were open but there was no sign of movement. There was a high brick wall, with a thick wooden door leading to the beer garden and rear of the pub. It was locked. She looked through the window and could see the lights were on inside, before returning to the unmarked police car. She tapped on the driver’s window.

‘What’s up?’

‘I’ve rung the doorbell and banged on the door but there are no answer.’

‘Maybe she had a late night and she’s still sleeping it off.’

‘It doesn’t look like the place has been cleaned up – there are dirty glasses and unemptied ashtrays on the bar.’

Teflon called the office on the radio and asked Cam to phone the pub.

‘Tell Fiona Simpson we’re waiting outside for her.’

Jane went back over to the lounge bar door and listened to the phone ringing for nearly a minute before it stopped.

‘Cam said there was no answer – maybe she’s locked up and gone out already.’

‘Kingston gave me the impression she wasn’t afraid to be a witness. Do you reckon you can get over that wall into the beer garden and check the back door?’

‘Piece of cake.’

With a run and a jump he was up and over the wall.

‘Bugger off or I’m callin’ the police on you two!’ a shrill female voice shouted.

Jane turned and saw a frail elderly woman with a hunched back, clutching a copy of the News of the World.

She got her warrant card out.

‘It’s all right, Betty, we are the police.’

Betty tilted her head and her eyes narrowed.

‘Then why’s that darkie jumpin’ over the wall?’

‘He’s my colleague; we’ve come to see Fiona. She wasn’t answering our calls and we think her front doorbell may be broken, so now we’re trying the back door.’

‘Right, fair enough, but you can’t be too careful these days, you know.’

‘You’re quite right, Betty.’

‘Is it about the robbery? I saw it as well, you know.’

‘Yes, I heard you tell Fiona about the gun going off and the young man lying on the pavement.’

Jane nodded, watching for Teflon to come back over the wall.

‘One of ’em bastards nearly knocked me for six before they robbed the van. When’s one of your lot gonna come and see me about it?’

‘Sorry, Betty, what did you say?’