‘They didn’t set light to the car until after the robbery, Tennison,’ Murphy shot back.

‘I meant tobacco smoke—’

‘No, he didn’t,’ Stanley put in.

‘Did you ask?’ Jane enquired.

Stanley showed his annoyance. ‘I know how to take a victim statement, Jane. I asked the guard if the robber had bad breath and he said no, so for me that means it didn’t smell of smoke.’

Murphy sighed. ‘Whether or not this person is a smoker doesn’t really help the investigation at this stage.’

Jane was determined to make her point.

‘A witness who lives at Edgar House saw two men walking towards Felstead Road not long after the robbery and thought she smelt cigar smoke. They caught her eye because one of them was carrying a holdall like one she bought her grandson for Christmas.’

‘Any description of the men?’ Murphy asked.

Jane got out her pocket notebook to check what the uniform sergeant had said.

‘I didn’t speak to her personally, but she thought the men were about five feet nine, one was dark-haired and the other lighter coloured. She thinks the one carrying the bag had a blue jacket on—’

‘The blaggers were all dressed in dark boiler suits and donkey jackets,’ the Colonel said bluntly.

‘Actually, we found evidence of burnt clothing in the boot of the Cortina,’ Dabs said, ‘which suggests they may have changed clothes in the garage—’

Murphy interrupted. ‘Is there a description for these two men?’

‘She only saw them from behind, but if they were involved in the robbery, they may have had a second getaway car parked nearby.’

Murphy looked unimpressed.

‘We could always do an ID parade where the witness looks at the back of the suspects’ heads.’ The Colonel laughed, and some of the others joined in.

‘Thank you for your input, Tennison, but I’d like to move on to the three crime scene examinations.’

‘I found a cigar butt in Felstead Road and there was one—’

Murphy interrupted her. ‘The fact one of our suspects may smoke cigars is not incriminating evidence, Tennison, so move on to the scene examinations.’

‘SOCO Morgan and I examined the crash site and the burnt-out car—’

Murphy held up his hand again. ‘I am aware of that, but I’d like Dabs to take me through it.’

Jane could feel herself getting worked up, but bit her lip, knowing that standing up to Murphy would only make him come down even harder on her.

Dabs opened the exhibits book to use as a reference.

‘DS Tennison also found two fresh blood drop trails in Woodville Road running from a car’s skid mark, which we believe was left by the Cortina.’

‘How do you think they got there?’ Kingston asked.

‘Sergeant Tennison has a theory on that,’ Dabs said, looking over at Jane.