Caitlin poked himself in the chest. ‘Who me? Not at all. I just heard that Katie here was in so I came to see when she’d be back on duty, that’s all. See you tomorrow then.’

He smiled at her and gave her a little wink. Then, as he was walking out the door, he slapped his forehead hard and turned back to face them. ‘Have you finished here, Kate?’

She looked at Ratchette who nodded his head.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Then come with me and pick up the latest reports. Very interesting they are as well.’

She put down her coffee cup and, nodding at Ratchette, followed Caitlin from the office. Once outside he linked arms with her and took her to the little pub that the station staff used. It was called the Swan and was always busy. He bought two large whiskies and, sitting Kate in the corner, drank to her daughter’s health.

‘Thanks, Kenny.’

He waved his hand at her. ‘Sure I know what you’re going through. I remember when one of my girls had an abortion, I was like a maniac for days after. You need your work at the moment to keep you sane and normal!’

‘I thought you were Catholic?’

‘Oh, I am, we all are, but you see she was only fourteen at the time. It was terrible, absolutely terrible. Now how’s the child really?’

Kate found herself opening up to him. She told him everything.

‘Them drugs is the scourge of parents. But just keep a good eye on her and keep her out of draughts. A blanket for disease, draughts are.’

Kate smiled to herself. He meant well.

‘What’s been happening with the case then?’

‘Sweet FA to be honest, Kate. I gave Ratchette a load of old fanny just now. Hopefully, something will break soon. We’re still following up on all the nonces and suspected nonces but it’s a piss in the ocean, there’s so many of them.’

‘Thanks a lot, Kenny, for standing by me like that.’

Caitlin laughed. ‘Where else am I going to get such a good-looking DI? Normally I get a big sweaty drunkard who smells like a year-old jockstrap. Anyway, one of me is enough on any case!’

Kate grinned. You found friends and allies in the most unlikely places.

‘What about Louise Butler?’

‘Nothing. We’re treating it as a murder obviously, but if her body doesn’t turn up soon . . .’ He left the sentence unfinished.

Kate stood up. ‘Same again?’

‘That’s what I like about this women’s lib, it’s cheaper to take a lady out these days!’