He pointed his finger at her. ‘Whoa! Stop right there before you dig a big hole for yourself. I’ll give you ten out of ten for tenacity, but you’re way off base if you think I or anyone else on this squad is a leak or has anything to do with Simpson’s death.’

‘I never said that.’

‘No, but you’re insinuating it. For your information I told Murphy about Betty straight after I first spoke to Simpson. He agreed with me about keeping her out of it – if you don’t believe me go and ask him.’

Jane was taken aback. ‘I’m sorry—’

‘Look, I was shocked to discover Fiona Simpson was dead – and of course it’s crossed my mind that it might be connected to our investigation – but I’m on the fence until we get the post mortem result and Lawrence finishes examining the scene.’

‘I shouldn’t have doubted you.’

‘You’re not the first and you won’t be the last – but at least you were up front with me.’

Jane felt a sense of relief, mixed with shame, that she’d jumped to the wrong conclusion.

‘I heard the money I gave the Colonel was well spent,’ he said.

‘Sorry, what are you talking about?’

‘The money from the informants’ fund for his snout.’

‘Yeah, looks like Gentleman Jim was talking about Aidan O’Reilly.’

She was now certain the Colonel had stolen a ten-pound note.

There was a knock on the door and Cam looked in.

‘Guv’s ready to start the meeting.’

*

Jane was not the only one eager to hear what Murphy had to say.

‘As you all know, our witness Fiona Simpson is dead. Her post mortem is scheduled for three p.m., but whatever the outcome, Division will deal with the investigation and keep us informed. If her death is deemed to be suspicious, only me or DI Kingston will speak to Division, as there is obviously sensitive information that I don’t want disclosed at this time. Before I speak about the surveillance operation, has anyone anything further to add about our suspects?’

The Colonel raised his hand.

‘DI Kingston told me about your snout’s information – it looks promising, but we need more.’

‘He’s working on it. I also got an address from Companies House for George Ripley—’

‘How’d you get that on a Sunday?’ Murphy interrupted.

‘You don’t want to know, Guv.’

‘I do, Colonel.’ He frowned.

‘I told the security guard I was Commander Drury from Scotland Yard and needed to check some files urgently.’

‘Drury’s in prison,’ Stanley said.

‘Then he won’t know I used his name, will he?’ The Colonel grinned.