Chief Superintendent Archer strode with a smile towards the canteen. Heads turned, and banter stopped as he entered.

"Good morning.," he said in a pleasant tone. "I want to keep you updated with my promotion and departure. I understand the Chief Constable is considering many possibilities of who will be lucky enough to take over the reins. There will be change. New broom sweeps clean and all that. Thank you for your hard work and support. I have arranged for the function room above the Hare and Hounds to be available from 2000 until 2200 on Friday, ten days from today. Nibbles will be available, and the first drink will be from me."

A cheer erupted, followed by applause as if this was the answer to their prayers.

Julian grinned. "I look forward to seeing you there." Finished, he turned and left.

Standing at the back, Joyce laughed when she heard a familiar voice say. "One fucking drink after all the shit we've had to put up with. I'll be at home with the missus watching the box." She wondered how many more would act the same way. Even she chuckled.

***

The moment Joyce entered her office, the desk phone rang. The temptation not to answer it and make a coffee almost won. "Chief Inspector Parsons."

"Morning, guv. Inspector Jackson. I borrowed a cherry picker and searched the roofs and gutters opposite Sergeant Bell's flat. There was absolutely nothing there. I can assure you that my team would have seen it if there was."

"Thanks, Jackson. This is a complete cock up. You've done everything you can. Return to the station. I'm sure you have plenty of work outstanding."

"Okay, guv."

She replaced the handset into the cradle. Her mind spun. Whoever fired the shot which blew Talbot's brains out had left the scene without anyone noticing. It should never have happened with the area being swamped by armed police. She had technically dropped the ball when it was being played by persons unknown. She removed Arthur Cummings' telephone number from her desk drawer and punched it in.

"Cummings."

"Morning Arthur. I will ask you a question you do not have to answer."

"So why are you asking it?"

"I have an itch that needs scratching. Why did you shoot Talbot?"

"I didn't, but the world is a better place with the likes of him dead and buried. My turn. Why do you think I shot him?"

"You were the only person there capable of such a shot."

"Not true. Anyone in your armed squad could have taken the shot, but I know they didn't. With your inspector, I checked every weapon and counted every spare round. I have a suggestion. Contact the news companies for a digital copy of their tapes. I'll be happy to go through them with you."

"Do you think our marksman will be on them?"

Arthur laughed. "I could not give a fuck whether they are or not. But I resent being accused of murdering Talbot. You never know, Joyce, we might get lucky."

Joyce sighed. "I'm pissed off because I never thought of it. I'll let you know when I have them." The line died.

As she made a cup of coffee, she smiled. Arthur was a professional and knew where she was coming from.

***

Joyce was tired, but Inspector Stevens had obtained copies of the Talbot shooting from the BBC and ITV in record time. They were settled in an interview room with the station DVD player and were studying hours of uninteresting film. The c room was tired, smelt of smoke from a hundred cigarettes and the chairs uncomfortable. It was a needle-in-the-haystack situation with one huge problem. She didn't know what the needle looked like. AS they trawled through the first disc, she wondered if she was wasting her time.

The BBC disc ended as she placed her fifth empty coffee mug on the table.

Leaning back in her chair and placing both hands behind her head, she yawned. "What do you reckon, inspector? Go home and relax, or work our way through the second disc?"

Ian Steven took a deep breath before answering. "I know what I feel, but do I want to arrive for work in the morning knowing I must do this in a word no. Give me five guv. I need to go for a pee. The coffee goes straight through me."

"Joyce smiled with concern. "You're right, and I need the little girl's room. You go first. Can't leave this unattended.

With the requirements of nature attended to and the coffee machine filled and working, the second disc started to play.

Over an hour into the next disc, Joyce thought she saw someone she knew. Ian rewound it for a couple of minutes and replayed it.

"What did you see, guv."

"Not sure, but something triggered a reaction."

As the disc replayed, Joyce gave the screen her full attention. "Stop. What is she doing there?"

"Who are you referring to, guv."

"The woman standing in the doorway of the house with the blue door."

"It's the wrong side of the road."

"Not for the shooter," said Joyce. Give me one good reason why Samantha Harman QC is there."

"Who the hell is this Harman woman, guv, and what has she to do with the shooting of Talbot?"

Joyce gave Ian a precis of the information she knew. "We need to gather information before we make a move. Ian, you get onto the internet and check her out. I have a feeling an expert has played me. I'll continue to eyeball the screen."

As Ian departed, she pressed play with renewed energy, fully aware she might have something quantifiable.

Ian returned twenty minutes later and noticed Joyce's attitude change. "You won't believe this, guv. Well, I didn't."

"Park your backside and tell me."

Samantha Harman QC is a Major in the legal section of an Army Reservist Unit, which is attached to the para's. She is also a member of the Army Rifle Association. Its objective is to promote military efficiency by encouraging disciplined marksmanship. Guess who one of their best shooters is?" She won the shooting prize at Bisley."

"Bingo. Bloody bingo. Time to go home, Ian. We will dot the I's tomorrow and cross the T's."

"Great thinking, guv. Better to take our time than let the fish wriggle off the hook."

Rupert was preparing the evening meal when Joyce entered the kitchen.

She kissed Him on the cheek. "Whatever it is, it smells great."

"Lambchop casserole. I'm perfecting my bung-it-in method. Busy day?"

She seated herself at the table. "I have a catch-22 and need your advice."

"Dinner will be twenty minutes. Want a drink? I fancy a Gin and Tonic."

"Make mine a strong one."

Rupert seated himself opposite Joyce. "Okay, I'm listening."

She explained her thoughts on who could have shot Talbot. Rupert waited until she finished. Pure assumption, and you know it is. If the CPS even considered prosecuting, an average first-year lawyer would ask for a dismissal and accuse you of making the facts for the crime. But I see where you are coming from. What was she doing there?

Joyce laughed. "You're right. I should know better."

Rupert stood, opened the oven and checked the casserole. "Dinners ready. The chops are perfect." He began plating their meal. "I suggest you talk to Samantha and find out why she was where you saw her. It will help you end this line of questioning."

"Chops cooked in herbs, carrots, onions and chopped tomatoes with crispy saffron potatoes. What more could I ask for?"

"Eat it while it's hot. For your ears only, I've a meeting with the chief tomorrow, and I will accept his offer after we return from our honeymoon."

"He will not be happy with the delay."

"He needs me to fill a hole created by his team. For once, I have the upper hand. The minute I put on my uniform, he becomes the boss."

Joyce knew Rupert was right. "We could postpone our cruise."

Rupert clinked his glass against hers. "It's taken me an age for you to marry me. There's no way I'm changing anything. You know I'm right."

Joyce nodded. "Yes, guv."