“You better do it, as he’s your dog, and the policy is in your name, love,” her father replied.

“Okay, I’ll have to nip back home on the way into work to pick up the policy. Now, let’s eat, confident that Dex is in safe hands.”

“What about you going to the hospital, love?” her mother asked.

“I’ll pop in after I’ve been home. I doubt they can do anything. The cheek will need to heal itself.”

She set off earlier than usual and took a detour to the hospital’s A&E department, where she was seen quickly. The doctor X-rayed her cheek and told her what she’d already suspected—she had suffered a slight fracture that would heal itself within a few weeks. Back at her flat, Sally shook her head as she studied her reflection in the mirror, then she started the arduous task of trying to disguise her newest shiner. She could just imagine Jack’s reaction when he saw her first thing. She dreaded that meeting as she finished dressing. She scooped up the pet insurance document and left.

Twenty minutes later, she entered the incident room wearing sunglasses. The second Jack spotted her, he crossed his arms. He refused Sally access to her office by blocking her path. “Don’t make a big deal out of this, Jack. It’s not what it seems.”

Before she could stop him, he whipped the sunglasses off and stared down at her open-mouthed. His face reddened in anger, and he marched towards the door. Sally ran after him and caught up with him in the hallway. “Bullet, stop! I told you it’s not what it seems. I’m not making excuses. Check with the desk sergeant if you don’t believe me. Ask him about the incident I called in last night.”

His steps faltered, and he swung around to face her. “What are you talking about? Darryl did this, didn’t he?”

“No, he didn’t. I wouldn’t lie to you, Jack. My folks had a major problem with a neighbour, and my dog is receiving emergency medical care because of the distasteful incident.”

He frowned. “So what’s with the black eye?”

Sally shrugged. “Maybe the bloke thought I would look better with a matching pair.”

Neither of them laughed.

“Jesus, he clobbered you? Did he know you were a copper?”

“Not before today. He does now, though. He’s probably cursing about the fact down in the cells right now.”

“What’s wrong with your dog? Are your folks all right?”

“I need a coffee. I’ll tell you in the office. At least I can work without having to wear these things now that the truth is out.”

They strode through the incident room. Jack stopped at the machine and insisted on paying for the coffee, then they settled into the two chairs in her office, where she detailed the previous night’s events.

“Jeez, what a sicko to take it out on a dog and a woman like that. You do tend to attract cowards. Maybe I’ll pay Dickhead a visit in his cell later, see if he wants to vent his frustration out on me.”

“You will not. It’s in hand, my hands—have you got that?”

He held up his finger and thumb, a small distance apart. “Just a tiny bit of retribution?”

“No! Right, I have to ring the insurance company at nine. Then I want to call a meeting, recap yet again what we’ve discovered. One thing you can do for me in the meantime, and to prevent you from sneaking downstairs to the cells, is to ring Simon, and see if the DNA results are through yet. If not, remind him of the urgency behind getting the results back promptly.”

“Will do. What if they come back with Dorling’s DNA?”

“Then we’re screwed.”

Jack left the office, and Sally rang the insurance company, whose representative was sympathetic and assured her that all the vet’s bills would be covered without fail.

Sally took her coffee and returned to the incident room. “Gather around, folks. Let’s bounce some ideas around. I have a feeling the super will be eager for us to come up with answers to all the cases soon.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t been in here shouting the odds already,” Jack replied under his breath.

“I think there are a lot of changes afoot that he’s trawling through at the moment. I’m not complaining; at least it’s giving us the chance to work the cases out without any unnecessary extra aggro in that respect. Yesterday’s murder has definitely made a mockery of our congratulatory drinks the other night—that’s for sure. Right, where do we stand with Dorling’s vehicle? Showing up on CCTV anywhere?”

Joanna raised her hand. “I’ve had a couple of sightings, but I’d like a few more hours of searching just to ensure we’re chasing the right vehicle, if that’s okay, boss?”

“Of course. That sounds hopeful anyway. What about the statements from the latest victim’s boyfriend? Has anyone checked that he and his friends turned up?”

“I followed up on it when I arrived this morning, boss,” Jordan admitted. “He and his friends made their statements about eight last night. The artist has made a preliminary sketch. I’ve got to call in to see her this morning to obtain a copy.”

“Excellent news. Do you know if the boyfriend and his friends agreed on the likeness in the sketch?”

“I believe so.”

Sally contemplated his answer for a moment or two. “Okay, once you’ve chased that up, I want you and Stuart to revisit all the victims’ places of work and see if any of the staff or customers recognise the man in the sketch.”

“Yes, boss. Umm… what about the media? Is it worth sharing the details with them now?” Jordan asked.

“I’m still inclined to wait until the DNA result of the latest victim is back before we involve them.”

“Fair enough,” Jordan replied.

“I know it seems like we’re caught in a loop, re-examining all the information we’ve gathered already, but it’s out of necessity, folks. I have a feeling something isn’t quite adding up, and I’ll be buggered if I know what. Okay, let’s get to it. Jack, I’ll be sifting through the latest shit that has landed on my desk this morning. I also need to ring the council about my parents’ situation. Give me a shout the second the DNA results turn up, all right?”

“Yes, boss. Have fun.”

“If I had a cocktail in my hand whilst carrying out the chore, I might think differently about the task. Unfortunately, that’s not on the agenda.”

Around eleven that morning, Jack disturbed Sally’s concentration. He stood in the doorway, triumphantly waving the piece of paper in his large hand.

“DNA? Quick, give it to me.” She tore the sheet of paper from his hand and hungrily read the results. Glancing up at him, she bounced back in her chair. “I knew it! Dorling! How the fuck can that be? He was safely tucked away in a cell when the last murder was committed.”

“I don’t have a clue, unless someone is trying to set him up.”

“Hmm… that’s got to be a possibility. He did appear shocked when we arrested him. There’s always been a doubt in my mind. I suppose we should consider going to visit him, see if he can enlighten us about this new revelation.”

“I’ll call the prison, let them know we’re on our way.”

“You do that. I’ll be ten minutes, max, here.”

Jack left the office and rushed back through the door a few minutes later. “You’re not going to like this.”

“Go on. Surprise me.” Her eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

“Dorling tried to kill himself with a bedsheet. The guard managed to prevent him from fulfilling his aim. He’s in the prison hospital now.”

“Jesus. Do you think someone got to him in prison? Was he on someone’s payroll and has screwed up, maybe?”

“I don’t know. The incident occurred after lights out, so he was alone in his cell.”

“What? No cellmate?” Sally asked.

“Apparently his cellmate had just been released. They hadn’t found a replacement to fill his bunk. Maybe that’s why Dorling took the opportunity to carry out his deed.”

“So, when will we be able to question him? Did the prison staff give you any indication on that?”