The street lights operated, their orange glow casting shadows over the car park as Joyce escorted Mrs Mullins into the police station. The desk sergeant's nose twitched at the aroma of fish and chips.

"Late night, guv."

"Maybe," said Joyce. "I'll escort my guest to the canteen. She requires vinegar and salt for her supper. When she's eaten, I need her to view the news DVDs from the night of the shooting. They're in the right-hand drawer of my desk. Can you have someone set the TV system up and ready.?"

"Will be done, guv."

Joyce escorted Mrs Mullins to the canteen. The staff were long gone. Unfamiliar with the inside of the kitchen, locating a plate, utensils, salt, and vinegar took time. She pointed to a table. "Grab a seat. Would you like a tea or coffee? Mug or cup?"

Mrs Mullins opened the wrapper of her meal and placed it on the plate. She looked at Joyce. "A cold plate ruins good food. A mug of strong black tea would go down a treat. love."

"On its way."

"Excuse me, guv."

Joyce peered from the kitchen, "Yes, sergeant."

"I've brought the tele and DVD player to the canteen. Thought it might be more comfortable for your guest. She can watch the screen while eating."

"Great idea, and it's warmer than my office. Set it up, please."

"Right away, guv."

The sergeant and a constable place the equipment on the table before Mrs Mullins.

"Can you play the ITV disc first?"

"Mrs Mullins," said Joyce.

"Don't worry, dear. I can watch and eat at the same time. Do it all the time."

"If you see the man who entered your house, please tell me."

"I might be old, but I'm not stupid. Well, not yet. I guess who the bad guy is in every detective show. The best is Inspector Gently. You could learn a lot from him."

Joyce walked round the table and sat beside her. "Don't mind me. Eat your dinner."

Mrs Mullins finished her meal and sipped her second mug of tea. "That's him."

"Will you please point him out?" Asked Joyce

Mrs Mullins jabbed the screen with a grease cover finger. "The man standing next to you."

"Thank you, Mrs Mullins. You have been more than helpful. I'll have a car take you home."

"I enjoyed the fish supper. It's not as good as my local, but enjoyable."

Joyce shook her hand, thanked her, and escorted her to reception. "Sergeant, please arrange a car to take Mrs Mullins home."

"Yes. guv."

Joyce was focused on a problem and didn't hear Inspector Jackson enter.

"You alright, guv?"

"No. I'm pissed off. I know who shot Talbot but can't prove it."

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Without any evidence, what's the point? Of course, I could be wrong."

"Do you mind if I grab a seat, guv? It's been a long day."

"Sorry. Please. Fancy a coffee? I gather you drew a blank again."

"We fixed the old lady's window. We found nothing on the roof or soil pipes. I'll give the coffee a miss, thanks."

"Are you sure? I'm having one."

"Positive. Guv, are you telling me there's no trace of any evidence?"

She made coffee and said, "All we have are fragments of a handmade bullet."

Jackson rubbed his chin. "This is Mr X. Is there any way you could get the shooter to admit their guilt?"

Joyce sipped her drink. "He's as wily as an old fox. And I'm not that clever."

"What's he like."

"Ex-military, a marksman, and has a brain. If I attempted to set him up, he'd know."

"I suggest we think about it, guv. We are knackered, and a new day might give us what we need to connect the dots."

She drained her mug. "Best suggest I've heard all day. Thanks for listening to my rambling."

"No problem. You have lots of similarities to your other half."

"And what would they be?"

"You never give up."

She stood and grabbed her coat. "I'll take that as a compliment. I'll walk with you to the car park."

***

"Busy day," asked Rupert as Joyce dropped onto a kitchen chair.

"Interesting, more than busy, but I have a strange problem. Can I run it past you?"

He seated himself opposite. "I was going to suggest going out to eat, but based on the expression on your face, you need to talk. I'm ready when you are."

Joyce explained her suspicion of Arthur Cummings in as few words as possible. What do you think?"

Troubled by her question, Rupert smiled. "Why did he want to kill Talbot? Find that, and you're on track. Suspicion is not the same as proving. You don't have a case without evidence; he'll know that. Never forget he's a marksman. You'll never hear the bullet that kills you. More important, I want to marry you, not bury you."

"So, in reality, I allow a murderer to walk free?"

"What 's the difference between Cummings and a pimp who kills his prostitute wife?"

Joyce closed her eyes with frustration. "You have a good point. Julian ordered me to leave it alone. Do you think he knows?"

Rupert chuckled. "Julian couldn't find his arse in the dark. He, like me, can see there's no evidence, and the CPS would not give it the time of day."

Joyce shrugged. "I'll have to think of a plan B. I fancy a red hot curry. How about you?"

"Great idea, but I'll phone the Onion Bargee. Last time we ate one of theirs, our bedroom reeked of garlic for a week."

"Fair enough. I'm going for a bath."

"Relax and enjoy. I'll phone in our order. What would you like?"

"A couple of veggie samosas and Saag Paneer, Please."

"I'll have two samosas and Lamb Rogan Josh."

Joyce walked away as Rupert made the call. "You have twenty-five minutes. Don't fall asleep."

"I wish," came the reply through the closed bathroom door."