‘What’s the problem?’ she snapped, still angry with Murphy and suspecting Dabs was scrutinising her entries in the book.

Dabs looked up in surprise. ‘Nothing – I was just looking through everything we collected today and typing up the lab form for the priority exhibits for submission and forensic examination.’

Jane took a deep breath. ‘Sorry, Dabs, I didn’t mean to be rude and snap at you. Are the entries in the exhibits book OK?’

‘They’re excellent. I wish the rest of the team were as thorough when listing and describing exhibits. I’d like to use this book as an example to the others, then they can see how it should be done.’

‘Thanks, but I’m not sure they’d appreciate that.’

Dabs looked at Jane more closely. ‘Are you all right, Sarge?’

‘I’ve got a bit of a headache from dealing with all that burnt material.’

He stood up to let her sit down.

‘So did I earlier. The smell of burning rubber from that car was really nauseous. I’ve got some strong aspirin in my office if you want a couple.’

She thanked him but said she’d already taken some. As she was a supervising officer, he asked if she’d sign the lab form when he’d completed it. Jane knew a DS’s or DI’s signature was required before the lab would start any forensic examination.

‘I think it’s best you ask DI Kingston since he’s running the investigation.’

‘OK, but as the exhibits officer you should be present when we discuss the submissions. I think he’ll be quite impressed when he sees the exhibits book and hears about your idea to seize the garage lock in case we find a key that fits. I’d appreciate your input regarding the forensic strategy as well.’

She shrugged. ‘If DI Kingston wants me to be present, I’m sure he’ll ask.’

Murphy had put her in a position where she was nervous about any form of confrontation with her superiors, and it really annoyed her.

Dabs leant forward and spoke quietly. ‘Don’t let it get to you, it’s just—’

‘Let what get to me?’ she interjected, worried he knew the real reason she’d been posted to the squad.

‘The Colonel’s childish behaviour with the poster. Everyone gets a bit of stick when they start here. God knows I did – they kept calling me NickNack. At first I thought it was something to do with the fact I was a civvy and couldn’t arrest anyone, but then I found out it was because of my height.’

‘Your height?’ She was confused.

‘Yeah, Nick Nack’s a dwarf villain in a James Bond film.’

She remembered the film and had to stop herself smiling at the comparison as she didn’t want to offend Dabs.