‘I’ll tell you later.’ He heaved himself into the passenger seat. ‘Just get us out of here.’

She hesitated, wanting to know what was going on.

‘Let’s go!’ he shouted, and his voice frightened her. She started the car off, did a three-point turn and, watched by the huddle of neighbours, drove back the way she had come. Hepton tried scanning the rear of the car, both sides and the front all at the same time.

‘Martin?’

‘What?’

‘What the hell are you up to?’

‘Just keep driving. I’m looking for a black Sierra.’

‘You mean that woman Harry?’

‘Yes. She came to the flat. She’s just tried to kill me.’

‘Christ.’ Jilly’s face lost a little of its colour. ‘Did she start the fire?’

‘What?’ He looked at her, then grinned. ‘Oh, no, I did that. Don’t worry, all I did was set the smoke alarm off.’

‘So you could make a getaway?’ Jilly seemed impressed. ‘That’s brilliant, Martin.’

‘It might not have been if you hadn’t shown up.’ He noticed that his hands were stinging, and examined them. White blisters were appearing where the water had scalded him. Jilly grimaced.

‘Those look sore.’

‘They’re nothing,’ said Hepton, meaning it. He hoped Harry was in agony.

‘So where to now?’ asked Jilly.

‘A hotel, I suppose.’ He was still checking for a tail. ‘I can’t believe there isn’t someone on to us. Drive into town, Jilly. That way maybe we can throw them off.’ Looking out of the side window, he saw a red Vauxhall Cavalier driving very fast in the direction from which they were coming. Detectives, he guessed. On their way to a fire that never was. With any luck, they’d pick up Harry. But he doubted it.

‘Well I must say, Martin,’ said Jilly, attempting levity, ‘this isn’t the way I usually end my working day. Normally it’s a gin and tonic at the wine bar.’

Hepton turned to her again. His look was contrite. ‘I’m sorry you had to get mixed up in this, Jilly.’

‘I’m not.’ She was smiling. ‘Besides, I haven’t told you yet what I found out about your civil servant.’

‘You mean Villiers?’

‘Who else? Martin, you’re not going to believe it.’

‘Try me.’