The end of the day arrived, and Rupert had not heard anything from Joyce as he closed the office and went home.

Twenty minutes later, he parked his car in the driveway, alighted, pressed the remote locking and wandered to his front door.

Joyce opened the door.

"You're home early," said Rupert as she stepped aside to let him enter.

"I was out checking a few facts and decided to come home. Did you know Julian is leaving?"

Rupert nodded. "The Chief informed me he was being moved at our private meeting this morning. What have you been told? Is dinner ready?"

"Sara told me he's been promoted to head up the armed response force. No, I thought we might have fish and chips delivered."

"Great idea. Did you check who Julian might be replacing?"

"Actually, I didn't. Is it important?"

"Julian is not being promoted. The OIC of the ARF is Chief Superintendent Brooks. He's retiring on health grounds, and Julian will replace him. The world, except Julian, knows It's a final job position. Experienced chief inspectors and inspectors run the show. Each one of them has a ton of experience with weapons. They will not let him near a weapon. He's the paperwork man."

"So why is he saying to everyone he's being promoted?"

"Because he's in love with his image."

Joyce laughed. "Cod or Haddock? And how did your meeting go?"

"I'll tell you after you order dinner."

Rupert seated himself at the table and waited for her to finish talking.

He paused, anticipating her response. "They want me back to run the station."

Joyce smiled. "A successful meeting then?"

"I told Norman it's up to you. If you tell me no, that's it."

"Are you joking? I might love you, but that's the coward's way out. Get a life."

"When are we getting married?"

"Now you're changing the subject."

I'm not. Think about it. You will be married to the boss."

She looked into his eyes. "Before you retired, I was sleeping with the boss. It didn't matter then. I never worried about what others thought. I work harder than anyone for my promotion, and you know I did."

"You're right. Most people don't give a toss about anyone else except their own circle. The deal is as long or as short as I want. Norman will place a superintendent as my right hand with a view to promotion if he/she is acceptable. The plum on the cake is I will be promoted to Commander with an annual bonus. More importantly, when are we getting married."

"I've spoken with the registrar. The earliest available date is in three months."

"Did you book it?"

"I did."

Rupert had been listening carefully to her words as she spoke. It was the way he could judge her mood. "I'm glad you did. You know how I feel about you. I always have."

Joyce did not answer immediately, and he wondered what she was thinking.

She grinned. "I rather like the thought of being a Commander's wife. It has an air of authority about it. Come on, we both know you want the job. If I said no, you would turn it down, and I would always wonder if you did it to shut me up. My suggestion is you take the job until you find a suitable replacement. After we both hand in our warrant cards and sail off into the sunset. What do you think?"

"We should go on our honeymoon for a month. I suggest an upmarket cruise. You choose the destination."

She appeared amused. "Norman might disagree."

"He doesn't have a choice. I'm getting married and going on my honeymoon."

Joyce kissed him and laughed. "Fancy an early night commander."

"I take it this is my lucky night."

She laughed. "I'll let you know."

***

The following morning, the desk sergeant grinned as Maggie entered the station. "Good Morning, Inspector Bell. Long overdue, in my opinion."

Maggie stopped. "How on earth did you know?"

"Your guv arrived early told everyone. He's in his office waiting for you."

She tilted her head sideways. "He knew and never mentioned it."

"His privilege."

"Of course."

On leaving the lift, she entered the room to find Rupert waiting. "Morning, guv."

He handed her a large padded envelope. "Congratulations, Inspector."

"When did you know?

"The chief constable told me yesterday. Please open the envelope."

Maggie obliged and removed two epaulettes for the rank of inspector.

"They were Joyce's, but she and I thought you might like them."

She smiled. "Would you do me the honour?"

"I'd be pleased to. In two minutes, they rested on the shoulders of Maggie's white shirt. "They look good. Inspector. I now have to ask you, where do you see your future in the force?"

"Haven't given it any thought," Maggie replied. "To be fair, I didn't think I had one. I'm open to any suggestions you might have."

"You know this department, and I'll need someone who will not mess up."

She lowered her eyes. "Are you leaving?"

"I've been offered another job."

"And you can't tell me?"

"Not at the moment."

"You implied I'd be working for you. The Chief Constable has asked you to return to the force."

"You would be right, but I'd rather you kept it to yourself. Julie has her sergeants exam in a few weeks. Would you want to keep her if she passes?"

"I like Julie, but it will be her decision. I've enough to think about. When do you want a decision?"

"When you're ready. By the way, Joyce and I are getting married in a few months. You will receive an invitation, and we would love you to attend. I'll let you know about the arrangements when I know. Joyce is dealing with the details. As she tells me, it's on a need-to-know basis."

"Congratulations, guv. About the time she made an honest man of you."

"I agree. Time to get back to work."

"Maggie grinned. "Yes, guv."

***

Seated in her office, Joyce glanced at her inbox. Was this the reason she left a nice warm bed in the morning? Now, Julian was going, she thought, to find an inspector she could work with.

Joyce lifted her head when she heard a knock on the door.

"Morning, guv., said Sergeant Stevens. His voice as deep as ever.

"When did you pass the exam for inspector, sergeant?"

Stevens shrugged. "A couple of years ago, at least."

"Do you want to be an inspector?"

"Dead man shoes, guv. My missis does not want me to move from this station. You could say it's like swimming in custard against the tide when a vacancy occurs. The only way to get a promotion is to apply elsewhere."

"You didn't answer my question. Do you want to be an inspector?"

"When I sat the exam, I thought it was a good idea, but you could say I'm content with my lot."

"I need someone alongside me who has experience. You have that in spades. Last chance. I need an inspector to work directly for me. Are you interested? Yes or no will suffice."

"Stevens rubbed his chin. "Yes, guv."

Joyce leant back in her chair. "Sergeant Stevens, as of now, you are an acting inspector working for me. When the present station commander leaves, your promotion will be confirmed."

Stevens frowned. "Can you do that, guv?"

She smiled. "If I can't, no one can. Now, why did you knock on my office door?"

"I was having a beer or two with my brother-in-law. He's the pilot of a police helicopter in the city. He happened to mention they were tasked to assist in checking out a heath for fire. Apparently, it was an area of peat, and although the brigade had drenched it, it had a habit of continuing to burn underground. The helicopter flew with a leading fireman using a thermal imaging camera over the area, and they discovered a few hot spots to drench further. On returning to base, they flew over a disused industrial, and the fireman spotted what he thought to be a building on fire. It wasn't, but when it was checked, they discovered a cannabis farm. The radiant heaters used to grow the stuff gave the game away."

Joyce waited patiently until he finished. "And you want our area checked for potential cannabis farms."

"Why not guv. If there are any in a couple of hours, we can close them down. Be a feather in our caps with the top brass."

"I agree, but I must liaise with the fire brigade and the city helicopter people. When I have a date and time, I'll let you know. Today, you can move to your new office inspector."