Rupert arrived at the station as fast as the roads allowed the following morning. He jumped out, closed the door, glanced around his domain, pressed the remote locking device, and sauntered into reception. "Did you hear the storm last night, sergeant?"

"Hear it, sir. My missus kept me awake all night worrying."

"When those hailstones hit my bedroom window, I was more than worried."

"Come the weekend, sir, you'll be on your cruise and in the lap of luxury."

He grinned. "If the sea is flat, calm, I'll be happy."

"It wouldn't dare be otherwise for you, sir."

"Sergeant, my name is Parsons, not Canute."

"Sir, don't know if you are interested, but the vicar's house in Stonewall burnt down last night. I reckon lightning set it ablaze the fire brigade had problems extinguishing the blaze even though it was pouring at the time."

A puzzled expression filled Rupert's face. "How do you know this, sergeant?"

"My son, he's in the brigade."

"That would be correct. The vicar lives with his wife. Their home is about a mile away. It wasn't the nicest of houses. Needed a lot of TLC to bring it up to date. Thanks for letting me know."

On entering his old office, Chas was already at his desk.

"Morning Guv. Quick question. When will your wife be back on duty?"

"When the board lifts her suspension.  Before you say anything, I know I have the authority, but in this instance, she wants the investigation board to clear her name. The last thing we need is some smart arse lawyer in the future saying in court her suspension was lifted by her husband, even if we all know it was a farce in the first place. Why are you asking?"

"I need a Chief Inspector, and you put Chief Inspector Brown into records."

"You have Inspector Maggie Bell at your disposal."

Chas grimaced. "She hit the ground running this morning. A shopkeeper discovered a dead girl in his backyard when he opened up this morning. Maggie informs me the girl is Angela Hastings, age thirteen. Whoever did this to the girl, beat, raped and left her for dead? Her parents reported her missing last night when she didn't return from her youth club."

"You'll like Maggie. She's conscientious and will do what is necessary. A future Chief Inspector if there ever was one. Do you fancy a trip out into the country this morning?"

Chas looked at him. "It must have something I need to know, or you wouldn't ask."

***

Rupert drove along Church Lane to find a fire tender and six firefighters blocking the car park. He steered to the left and onto a wide grass verge and stopped.

"Chas, you can see the remains of a dark, decrepit house. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled when I went inside. It was supposed to be a house of God."

A firefighter tapped on the driver's window.

Rupert pressed the button, and the window opened.

"I suggest you move on, sir. Nothing much to see here."

Rupert held up his warrant card. "I agree. To close a case, I need to have a look."

"You'll need to speak with the leading firefighter, sir."

"Not a problem. Move yourself, Chas."

Both men alighted from the car and strolled towards the tender.

The firefighter spoke to another. "They're the police, Alex. They want to look around."

Rupert smiled at the tall man who stepped forward. Somehow, his height complemented his bulk. Though he appears to move slowly, he covers the distance between them in several strides.

"Alex Hammond. I'll take you, but you stay with me and cannot enter the building. Understood."

"Loud and clear," said Chas. "Any idea how the fire started?"

"I reckon it was a lightning strike. A direct hit can Ignite wood and other combustible materials easily. By the time we arrived, the building was well alight. Thankfully, no one was in the house."

"Can we have a look?" asked Rupert, "and then we'll clear off."

"Follow me," said Alex with authority.

Rupert climbed the entrance stairs at the front of the house and peered into the cavernous basement, now filled with blackened debris.

"Nothing worth salvaging," said Alex. These old houses invariably burn to the ground. All that lath and horse hair plaster helps it spread faster than we can put it out."

Rupert turned to face Alex. "Do you have a grapnel in your truck?"

"We do. Why?"

"I'll show you," said Rupert.

In a moment, Alex was at his side.

Rupert pointed. "Can you see the bicycle?"

"Yes."

"If it's possible, can you retrieve what's left?"

"I'm sure we can. Can you tell me why?"

"Evidence. The frame will have a number, and my gut tells me it was expensive."

"I'll get two men to try and drag it out. If it proves difficult, you'll have to wait until the area is safe."

"And when will that be," asked Chas.

"When the whole gets demolished. Fire weakens the concrete bonding. Looks as if someone else has arrived. Shall we return to the car park?"

Rupert smiled as he entered the carpark. "Morning, vicar. Mrs Spence."

"Mr Parsons, what are you doing here?"

"Checking damage. If there was further evidence in the house, it's gone."

"Your bicycle is by the rear of your car, sir."

"Thank you," said Chas. "Most helpful."

Kathleen Spence looked at Rupert. "I'm pleased that dreadful house has gone. What's with the bicycle?"

"If my gut feeling is correct, that was the cycle belonging to Joan Dickson. Your housekeeper must have hidden in the loft."

Kathleen appeared to take a deep breath before speaking. "Not a place I ever visited."

"Excuse me, my love, I need to look at what's left of the house before I contact the insurance assessor."

"You go. I'll stay here." She watched as Ian and Alex walked towards the house."

"Rupert turned to Kathleen. "So, you're happy the house has gone."

"I am. It contained so many horrible memories. I never liked the housekeeper. She was weird."

Rupert frowned. "What do you mean?"

She gave one of her coy smiles. "Apart from being a lesbian, she put the fear of God into everyone. All and sundry wanted a piece of my husband, but she wanted to control him, and after Ian and I married, she tried to dominate me. I wish we could leave this place."

"The remains of the bike are in the boot. Time to leave, Rupert," said Chas.

Rupert made to check the time. "Must dash. Take care, Kathleen."

Both men remained silent as they returned to their car.

"Strange woman," said Chas. As he fastened his seat belt."

Rupert started the engine. "Right in one. All she cares about is her image and how other people see her. I believe she assisted in the murder of six women, but I know I'll never prove it. The cycle only adds to the evidence. If only it could talk."

"Let it go. On Saturday, you are marrying Joyce. Look forward to taking a whole month away from the crap the world throws at us."

"Rupert laughed. "You're right. Maybe we will both sail into the sunset and not bother coming back."