Kingston was becoming irritated. ‘You can help Tennison, but I want it done today. Me and the Colonel will get a lift back to the Rigg with Teflon and his crew in 887.’ He looked at his watch. ‘I’m calling an office meeting for three. Bring Tennison and Dabs back with you, as I want everyone on the team there.’

‘We might get a tip-off about who was responsible,’ Cam suggested, trying to cheer Kingston up.

‘In my opinion these guys are professionals, and from the way they operate, a tip-off seems about as likely as me winning the pools.’

*

Two uniformed officers were helping Dabs and Jane search the rubble-strewn ground where the police car had crashed into the house, looking for any bullets that might have become dislodged from the engine block on impact. Jane felt quite nervous as some of the bricks were still hanging precariously from the building and one fell quite close to her. After twenty minutes of searching, Dabs looked up at Jane and the two officers.

‘I think that’s the best we can do for now. We’ve recovered two bullets earlier and I’m reasonably sure we’ll find a third somewhere in the engine compartment when we examine the car at the lab.’

‘Do you want me to check across the junction in Grove Road to see if the bullet hit anything there?’ she asked as she brushed the brick dust from her clothes.

‘I wouldn’t worry – it’ll be a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack as it could have gone anywhere.’

As Juliet 1 was taken away on the low-loader, Cam pulled up and told them about the burnt-out Cortina and the house-to-house enquiries Kingston wanted done at Edgar House.

‘As a DS I’ve overseen house-to-house in murder investigations, so I’m happy to organise it.’

Cam smiled. ‘It’s OK, Kingston asked me to organise it while you and Dabs deal with the Cortina.’

Jane was disappointed. ‘Fine. If you need any advice or help, then please just ask.’

‘Thanks, but I know how to do house-to-house . . . Sarge,’ he replied.

Jane thought his attitude was rather surly considering she was just trying to be helpful. She also wondered from the way he addressed her if the Colonel had mentioned her objection to being called “Treacle” instead of Sergeant. As she got in the car with Dabs, Cam turned on the siren and blue light before pulling out at speed. This time she was prepared for the sudden acceleration and braced herself with both hands firmly on the passenger side of the dashboard.