Had she been there, McNab would have cheerfully doused the alarm and achieved his workout in a more pleasurable way. Since he was so obviously alone, he decided to head for the gym instead.

Two cups of coffee, a workout and a motorbike ride later, he arrived at the station, surprisingly on time. And upbeat. McNab would never openly admit it, even to himself, but McLaughlin’s recent demise felt like a positive in the Mary McIntyre case.

That didn’t mean they wouldn’t engage in finding his killer, or killers. It did mean, however, that McLaughlin could never abuse (or kill) a child again. By getting his name and story in the papers, McLaughlin had set himself up and someone had taken a shot at that target. McNab couldn’t believe he’d taken that chance unless there was big money or some other reward in the offing such as notoriety, something McLaughlin was inclined to court.

Despite his early arrival, he found Janice there before him. ‘Jeez, DS Clark, do you sleep here?’

‘You look happy,’ she said, not answering his question.

‘Just well rested,’ McNab told her.

‘I take it Ellie didn’t stay at your place last night then,’ Janice said.

McNab assumed a shocked expression. ‘I’m certain that’s a sexist remark, I’m just not sure why.’

‘I’m your partner. I can say what I like to you.’

‘How come you know stuff about my personal life and I know nothing about yours?’ McNab said, suddenly realizing that was true.

Janice stuck out her left hand.

‘What?’ McNab said.

‘My personal life. I’m engaged.’

‘Since when?’

‘Since last night.’

McNab mastered his surprise. ‘Who’s the lucky bloke?’ he said, glancing around the room as though the said bloke would suddenly walk up and announce himself. ‘I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend.’

‘I don’t. I have a girlfriend, Paula, soon to be my wife,’ Janice told him, a smile playing her lips.

Was she having him on? Then again, Janice wasn’t a big joker. McNab, conscious that his mouth hung open, closed it. ‘I didn’t know you were . . .’ He stopped, unable to finish that particular sentence.

‘You didn’t wonder why your male charm never worked on me?’ Janice was grinning now, obviously enjoying his discomfort.

McNab rallied. ‘Well, congratulations. Can I take you and your partner out for a drink tonight to celebrate?’

‘There’s a few of us heading for the Merlin after work. You can come along if you like.’

McNab nodded absent-mindedly, while his brain wondered how many other folk knew when he hadn’t wised up to it. Rhona and Chrissy? Surely Chrissy would have told him?

He thought back to all those times he’d definitely flirted with Janice. In particular when she’d first appeared on the scene. He’d taken offence when she’d turned him down, to the extent that the boss had had to have a word with him.

Was it possible just not to notice? He shot Janice a sideways glance. Well, it wasn’t as though the word was tattooed across her forehead. Maybe he hadn’t registered her sexuality because it didn’t matter. She was his partner, a good one at that. After their initial misunderstanding, that’s what she’d become.