‘Are you threatening me? Because if you are, you listen to me and listen good, Burrows. I know that you, a Detective Inspector, have been seen with Patrick Kelly on more than one occasion. Now I’d say that constitutes a slur on your integrity, don’t you?’

She was dumbstruck.

‘You’ve known him a lot longer than I have, Flowers,’ she said at last.

Flowers grinned.

‘Sure I know Kelly, he’s a well-known figure, but think about this very carefully, Burrows. I’m not sleeping with him, am I? My husband has not made a statement to the CIB to that effect.’

Kate felt an anger born of futility engulf her. ‘You dirty stinking bastard!’

‘As from now, Burrows, you’re off this case and suspended from duties. Caitlin, take her away, for goodness’ sake.’

He flapped his hand in a gesture of dismissal and Kate found her eyes filled with tears of frustration.

‘Shall I tell you something, Flowers? For the first time in my life I realise just what you are. You’re quite willing to let a man be murdered in cold blood, aren’t you? It means nothing to you, does it? You’re even willing to sacrifice my career so your friend Kelly can get even with Markham.’

Caitlin pulled her by the arm. He had stood silently all through the exchange, but now he realised he had to get her home and talk some sense into her. He owed her that at least.

‘Come on, Katie, before you say some more things you’ll regret.’

‘Regret?’ She laughed out loud. ‘The only regret I have is getting mixed up with you lot.’

Caitlin’s voice was firmer now.

‘Shut your bloody mouth up and give me your keys. I’ll drive.

In the car, neither of them spoke until Caitlin turned off the dual carriageway and down a country lane, stopping at a small public house.

‘Come on, Kate, we’re going to have something to eat and drink, and a talk.’

She followed him, her shoulders slumped inside her jacket. She knew she was beaten. Nothing in all her experience had prepared her for something like this.

Sitting in the comfortable bar, Caitlin ordered two roast dinners and a bottle of Chianti. Then he added two large Scotches.

Absentmindedly Kate said, ‘We’ll be over the limit.’

‘Let me worry about that.’

Finally, with her drink untouched in front of her, Caitlin began to talk to her.

‘Look, I know how you’re feeling, believe me. I’ve experienced the same thing myself. What you seem to have forgotten is that George Markham was a murderer of the worst kind. He took seven lives, Katie, and God Himself only knows how many more he would have taken. He raped and murdered innocent girls and women. He was a sadist.’

She interrupted him.

‘You just said he was a murderer. You used the past tense, Kenny. Is he already dead then?’