‘I know where it comes from, Stanley, but I’d expect to hear my mother or father use it – not a junior officer in what was clearly a derogatory manner. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to be called Sarge or Sergeant when I’m on duty – do you?’

‘Well, I’ve always accepted being called Stanley—’

‘That’s your choice – besides, I heard people call you Sarge when we worked on the Covent Garden bombing.’

‘That was different from working on this squad—’

‘So, it’s all right to refer to the DI and DCI by their Christian or nicknames, then?’ Jane asked, with a touch of sarcasm.

‘You know that’s not what I’m saying.’

‘Well, what are you saying?’

‘That you might want to calm down a bit. I don’t mind if you give as good as you get, but that’s because I’ve worked with you before. For now just soak up the mickey-taking and ease yourself in gently.’

‘Oh, I see, because I’m a female I’m the one who should be submissive. I thought this was the Flying Squad – not a gentlemen’s club.’

‘I’ve given you my advice, Jane, so take it or—’

‘I’ll leave it, Stanley, and make my own decisions, thank you.’

As Stanley returned to his desk, a woman came out of one of the offices at the far end of the room carrying some case folders. She was in her mid-thirties, five feet seven inches tall, with a slim waist and good-sized bust, and walked with an air of authority. Her long dark shiny hair hung down her back and she was smartly dressed in a white blouse, black pencil skirt and high heels. She put the folder on the desk next to Jane’s police file.

‘Hi, you must be Katie. I’m Jane Tennison.’ She smiled as she raised her hand to greet her.

She looked Jane up and down condescendingly.

‘Yes, I know, I’ve seen your police file,’ she replied, without a smile.

Jane wasn’t going to put up with Katie looking down her nose at her.

‘So have the rest of the office by the looks of it,’ she retorted, glancing towards her file on Katie’s desk.

‘DCI Murphy gave me your file earlier to enter your personal details in our squad address book. I’m not responsible for the behaviour of the rest of the team.’

Jane sensed Katie knew about the addition of ‘Treacle Tennison’ to The Dirty Dozen poster but decided not to pursue it.

‘Is DCI Murphy in his office?’ she asked, changing the subject.

‘Yes, it’s the one on the left I just came out of. DI Kingston’s is next to it.’

‘I’ll just nip to the ladies’ and freshen up. I’ve been helping Dabs and got a bit dirty.’