Barnes rubbed his chin and thought about it. ‘Tennison, you and Boon skip the office meeting. Go and see Julie Dorton. Show her Eaves’ drawings. Then come straight back here. This could be a long night,’ he said. He downed his whisky, then poured another. ‘And get someone to check out the local dentists for nuns who had a fucking toothache!’

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

While Boon phoned Julie Dorton from Barnes’s office, Jane went to the incident room to get her bag and coat. A few detectives were setting up their desks and others were looking at the photographs and maps on the walls. She overheard one on the phone to his wife, telling her he probably wouldn’t be home until late. She picked up the phone on an empty desk in the corner of the room and rang Nick’s office.

‘Hi, it’s me. How did it go with your dad?’

‘He’ll survive,’ he said.

‘Look, I don’t think I’ll be able to see you tonight. I’ve got to interview someone and I don’t know how long it’s going to take. My DCI wants me to report back to the incident room afterwards. I’ve a suspicion he’ll want us all in early morning as well. I don’t want to disturb you, so I’ll stay the night at mine tonight if that’s—’

‘Yeah, fine. Do what’s best for you,’ Nick replied.

‘Are you OK?’ Jane asked, bemused by his off-hand tone.

‘Yeah, shouldn’t I be?’

Jane couldn’t understand why he was talking to her like this. ‘Have I done something to upset you?’

There was a brief pause. ‘No, it’s not you. My dad can be pretty exhausting at times.’

‘I understand. Look, it might be late, but I’ll come round to your house when I finish. We can cheer each other up,’ she said.

‘If it’s all the same, I’d like to stay at my dad’s tonight and keep an eye on him.’

Jane was taken aback. ‘Right, fine . . . I understand.’ She didn’t see Boon approaching.

‘Mrs Dorton’s happy to speak with us. You good to go, sarge?’ he asked.

She put her hand over the mouthpiece. ‘Can’t you see I’m on the phone?’ she said tersely. ‘I’ve got to go. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’ She waited for a reply then realised Nick had already put the phone down.