When the meeting finished, Murphy told Kingston he wanted a chat with him in his office.

‘How did Tennison take being told she was an experiment?’ Kingston asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down.

‘Not as badly as I hoped she would,’ Murphy replied as he opened his desk drawer, then got out the bottle of whisky and two glasses.

‘Just a small one for me,’ Kingston said.

Murphy poured him a large measure.

‘I was hoping she’d tell me to stick the Flying Squad up my arse and piss off back to divisional CID. She’s thicker skinned than I thought she’d be . . .’

‘As a female officer she’s probably used to being put down all the time—’

‘Why are you defending her?’

‘I’m not – I just reckon she’ll do her best to show us we’re all wrong about her abilities, that’s all.’

Murphy gave him an inquisitive look. ‘You don’t think she’ll be an easy ride then?’

Kingston pretended to look offended. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I know you too well, Stu. Your dick has always ruled your brain and you’re only being nice to Tennison so you can get in her knickers.’

Kingston laughed. ‘No way! She’s not my type – far too po-faced for me.’

‘Bollocks! She’s reasonably attractive, got big tits and a nice arse—’

‘Sounds like you fancy her, Bill.’

‘Don’t try and turn it around, Stu, we both know she ticks all the boxes in your quick leg-over book. I’d rather you steered well clear of her. She’ll screw up soon enough and then we can get rid of her.’

‘I don’t fancy Tennison – but as I see it we’re stuck with her for now so there’s no harm in giving her the menial stuff to do to keep her out of harm’s way.’

‘Most of the bloody office reckons KP’s got the hots for you and some even think she’s your bit on the side. If you start making a play for Tennison it could cause you all sorts of bother. The last thing I want is two women in the office fighting like tarts over you!’

‘For Christ’s sake, Bill, I flirt with KP, that’s all. She likes attention and it keeps her on her toes.’

‘Well, for everyone’s sake keep it that way, Stu.’

Kingston downed his whisky. ‘Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?’

‘Yes, this landlady, Fiona Simpson – is she a good witness?’

‘Yeah. She’s feisty, that’s for sure, and she seemed willing to go the whole way – as a witness, that is,’ he added quickly.

‘Stop being so bloody defensive. Get a statement off her, then take her up the Yard to look through the Flying Squad mugshot albums.’