‘You didn’t upset me, my duck! You’ve got a job to do, I know. Actually, now I’m wondering what on earth he did want. There’s nothing of any value here.’

‘Can I take a quick look around?’ asked Marie.

‘You go ahead, no problem. There’s no secrets here.’

The only photos were of Hazel’s late husband and a variety of pets going back over the years. So, why try to break in? It felt all wrong.

She went back outside and found Simon. ‘It’s not him, I’m certain of it.’

‘I agree, Sarge. Maybe an opportunist thief? He’d seen she went to bed early and took a chance,’ he suggested.

‘Something like that. But if that’s the case, he’s chosen a particularly bad time to start wandering around people’s houses at night.’

‘You can say that again!’ Simon laughed grimly. ‘There’s something much nastier than him out here at present.’

‘And a whole load of vigilant coppers on the beat,’ she added. ‘Which reminds me, maybe you should ring your skipper and tell him we think it’s a red herring. The budget won’t cover all this overtime for a failed burglary. If it’s not our killer, then it’s time to call off the troops.’ Marie heard her ringtone and groped in her pocket for her phone.

‘Jackman! Where are you?’

‘I’m so sorry, Marie. I’ve only just got the shout. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I left my phone in the bathroom, and Laura’s been using the landline. What’s occurring?’

‘It’s all right, you can relax. Attempted break-in, but we’re pretty certain it’s not Spiller. Nothing matches up, and both Simon and I agree that it was a wild goose chase.’

‘Then you get away too, Marie. And I’m sorry you got lumbered. Hope it didn’t spoil your evening?’

Marie stifled a giggle. ‘I’ll get over it. See you tomorrow.’

After Marie had spoken again to Mrs Owen and reassured her that her burglar wouldn’t be back, she said goodnight to Simon and drove back home.

The kitchen still smelled of fish and chips. Marie caught herself smiling. Besides the remains of the meal, something of Ralph still lingered there too. It was nice.

She made a hot drink and took it up to bed with her, undressed and snuggled under the duvet. It had been a strange day, full of ups and downs. Despite being in the middle of a murder inquiry, she felt oddly at peace.

Marie lay in the darkness and thought about her beloved husband, Bill. She spoke softly to him in the quiet of the room. ‘My darling. I’ve held you here with me for far too long, haven’t I?’

There was no answer, but she hadn’t expected one.