‘I’ve already arranged for an artist’s impression to be taken from her at five today, then she has to open the pub at six. But I’ll give her a ring and see if she can do a statement tonight.’

‘Get Tennison or one of the others to take the statement off Simpson.’

‘The rest of the team are all busy and I don’t think Tennison is experienced enough to do it—’

‘Ten minutes ago, you were telling us what a good job she’s doing.’

‘What I meant is she’s inexperienced when it comes to armed robbery investigations. Simpson is our only witness who might be able to identify one of the blaggers and needs to be handled carefully.’

‘Point taken. Try and get the statement tonight if you can, if not, tomorrow morning at the latest. I need you to hold the fort here this evening as I’ve got a seven o’clock meeting at the Yard re this Operation Countryman fiasco.’

‘Are they looking at us for anything? Or the rubber heelers?’ Kingston asked.

‘I don’t know for certain . . . but it’s only a matter of time before they decide to stick their noses into our business.’

‘I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about—’

‘Come on, Stewart, we both know some of us have sailed close to the wind evidence wise – especially the Colonel.’

‘To be fair,’ Kingston insisted, ‘he’s never put a man in prison who didn’t deserve it—’

Murphy slapped his hand down on the desk. ‘A disgruntled man in prison turned supergrass and started bloody Countryman!’

Kingston shrugged. ‘But we wouldn’t get convictions if we didn’t use the occasional verbal.’

Murphy shook his head. ‘The ends don’t justify the means as far as Countryman’s concerned. To them bending the rules is corruption even if it means putting villains away.’ He leant forward across the desk. ‘I don’t want any fit-ups on the Leytonstone job, Stu – especially with Miss Goody Two Shoes on the team.’

‘Don’t worry about her. Tennison doesn’t need to be involved in any arrests. You could stick her in the office to man the radio.’

Murphy nodded. ‘You know I’m not averse to putting words into the mouths of suspects when it’s necessary, but I prefer to nick them red-handed on the plot, that way the evidence is watertight.’

Kingston smiled. ‘I’ll make sure the lads are aware of your feelings and everything is above board – as far as possible.’

‘OK, I’ll leave a number with KP so she can call me at the Yard if anything urgent comes up.’

‘Have you heard back from the rest of the team on the surveillance operation?’ Kingston asked.