It had been a gamble, but in the end, turning private had been the only course the two of them could take. Liz had been forced to give up working in the police force after an attempt on her life had left her unable to meet their medical requirements. As for Matt, he had served his full time, but at fifty-three years old he was still fit, and far from ready for the allotment and the bowling club. Opening a private investigation business seemed wholly appropriate. They could pick and choose their jobs, and Liz could adjust her work according to the requirements of her condition.

Now they had a cheque in their hands, a happy client, and the man they had been investigating was with their former colleagues in the custody suite at Fenfleet police station, waiting to be charged.

‘Textbook, wasn’t it?’ He chuckled. ‘Not that I think all the cases we get will be that clear-cut.’

‘Very satisfying,’ said Liz, then added almost wistfully, ‘but in a way, I’d like a bit more of a challenge.’

‘Be careful what you wish for, my darling!’ Matt warned her. ‘We used to say things like that when we were on duty, then the next shout would see us up to our elbows in one of the shittiest cases we’d ever had.’

‘True, but . . . oh, you know what I mean. That was a bit tame, wasn’t it?’

Before Matt could answer, his mobile phone rang.

‘Will! How’s tricks, my friend?’ He switched to loudspeaker so that Liz could hear. They had both worked alongside DI Will Stonebridge and had been saddened when a severely damaged elbow had seen him step away from the job he loved.

There was a long silence, then Will’s voice filled the car. ‘I have to admit things have been better. Any chance of me popping round for a cuppa and a chat? I’m beginning to think living on this fen is making me mildly neurotic. I need a dose of Ballard and Haynes’s common sense, if you have some to spare.’

If he was trying to make light of something, he wasn’t doing very well. Matt glanced at Liz. She was frowning.

‘We are on our way home right now. How does half an hour suit you?’

‘Kate’s in her studio so she’ll be working until late,’ Will said, ‘so that’s perfect. I’ll see you soon.’ He hung up immediately, as if he were afraid they’d change their minds.

Matt took a deep breath. ‘Well, that sounds rather ominous.’

‘I hope Kate isn’t slipping back,’ said Liz softly. ‘That girl has suffered enough.’