‘Although I’ve a bone to pick with you,’ Judith said to Tanika. ‘Why didn’t you tell me straight away that Stefan and Iqbal had been killed with an antique pistol?’

‘Because you’re not investigating the murders!’ Tanika said, unable to keep the frustration out of her voice.

‘But you’d get so much further if you kept us in the loop.’

‘That’s as may be, but you’re civilians. I’m not allowed to. It’s that simple.’

‘For example,’ Judith said, ignoring Tanika’s words, ‘I’d be able to tell you the significance of the phrase, “faith, hope and charity”.’

‘You know about that?’ she asked.

‘I’m guessing they’re the words on the bronze medallions you found at each of the murders.’

‘How can you possibly know that?’

‘Simple deduction. It was you who told me the word “Faith” was carved on the medallion attached to Stefan’s body, and I was able to see for myself that there was another medallion by Liz’s body. So, if you’re now asking about the phrase “faith, hope and charity”, it seems only logical to conclude that the words “faith”, “hope” and “charity” were found carved on three medallions you found with each body.’

‘She’s very clever,’ Suzie said, indicating Judith with her thumb for Tanika’s benefit.

Judith beamed at the compliment.

‘Okay,’ Tanika said. ‘According to you, what does “faith, hope and charity” mean?’

‘Well, it’s from Corinthians, of course. But beyond that, any crossword compiler worth her salt would be able to tell you it’s also the motto of the Freemasons.’

‘It is?’

‘Or to be precise, they’re the three cardinal virtues of the Freemasons.’

Tanika didn’t quite know what to say to that.

‘That is actually very useful,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

‘So I suggest you find out who’s a Mason, because it’s somehow connected to the three murders.’

‘Yes, I see that. You could be right.’

Judith turned to her two friends.

‘Come on,’ she said grandly. ‘We need to let Tanika get on with her work.’

The three women turned and headed over to an old van that Tanika could see was parked illegally on the pavement. On the left of the trio was the perfect housewife with her flicky hair, jeggings and gilet; on the right, a solidly built oak of a woman who walked and dressed as if she were about to set sail with Long John Silver; and in between them, the eccentric aristo who wasn’t much taller than she was wide and who was wearing, as ever, her dark grey cape.

A more motley trio it was hard to imagine, but Tanika couldn’t help but smile to herself as the women drove off in a belch of diesel fumes from Suzie’s vehicle.

Still shaking her head in wonder, Tanika pressed the buzzer again. A woman’s voice came out of the speaker.