Maggie watched Wilma drive away before calling Rupert. The moment he answered, she said, "My fault, guv. I never saw Nelson snooping."

There was a pause before he spoke. "It was bound to happen. When was the unanswered question? I'll speak with the chief constable and suggest Julian undertake a local radio interview and write a press release."

"You know how to win friends and influence people."

"In this game, being well-liked doesn't cut it. I was always fair to those who worked with me. I gave praise in public and kicked arse in private. Julian will go mental, but it's his blood pressure, not mine. If he asks nicely, I'll do it for him. If he doesn't, tough. How's the recovery of our missing women going?"

"Two more have arrived at the morgue, and tents erected over the remaining graves."

"Good work. Cold cases are now on the map. Makes sorting out those old records worthwhile. In fairness, you and your team worked wonders. I'll be with you sometime this afternoon. No doubt after Julian bends my ear."

Maggie laughed. "See you when I see you. I can cope."

"You make me feel redundant."

"Whatever. You're still the guv." She ended the call.

***

There was no time to waste. Joyce had spoken with Rupert, but he told her it was her decision and it would be best to sleep on it. Today, she thought about it and made half a decision.

With purpose, she strode along the corridor to Julian's office. When she entered, Sara said, he doesn't want to be disturbed, but you look pissed off. I'm going to the toilets on the ground floor. Give me a shout when it's clear for me to return."

She did not knock but opened the door and walked in. "I'm busy. Sara should have told you."

As her Warrant card landed before him, he lifted his head. "Have you gone stark raving mad?"

"Whatever happens, I'm going to enjoy this." Like an arrow from a bow, her clenched right fist struck Julian squarely in the face.

Julian produced a howl as in his chair he tumbled backwards. Blood poured from his nose, ruining his white shirt forever.

"Why did you tell others my firearms certificate was out of date? You told me to get on with it. You wanted me to fail. Why?"

"You are suspended until further notice."

Joyce retrieved her warrant card. "Give me one good reason."

Holding a handful of tissues to his face, he said. "You attacked a senior officer. I will have you thrown out the force, and if I can, your pension revoked."

"I'll tell the world you attacked me, stumbled, fell and hit your face on your chair. Look around, no witnesses."

"Get out of my office."

"No. Why do you want me to fail? Before you have a heart attack, Sara will not be in her office until I tell her. Tell me, or I scream rape, and for effect, rip my blouse, and you can have a view of my tits."

"You're a woman. When I joined the force, you made the tea. In my opinion, nothing has changed. My problem is that you are untouchable because your husband once ran this station as if he owned it."

"So, this is about your insecurity. One of us has to request a transfer. I'll apply for the first Chief Inspector post elsewhere to save you from people talking. Until then, I'll do my job, and you will stay out of my face."

"You can't make such demands. I must recommend transfers."

"Your choice, but ask Rupert. I can be a right pain in the arse."

He removed the tissues from his face. "The first position available."

"I can't wait to leave."

"I can't wait for you to fuck off either."

Joyce laughed, turned and strolled out of his office.

***

Joyce found Sara in the canteen. "Your boss stumbled and smashed his face on his desk. I suggest you take a bowl with disinfectant up the stairs."

Sara grinned. "Not my job. He can wipe the blood up himself if he wants it cleaned."

"Must go."

"Excuse me, guv," said the sergeant at reception. "This was left for your attention. It's the coroner's report on the woman who drowned in the old swimming pond."

She grinned. "What does it say, sergeant?"

"Accident and misadventure. Tell me, guv, why would a woman her age walk close to the pond's edge late in the evening? She didn't even have a dog?"

She smiled. "If I knew, I'd tell you, but I can't."

"Then it will remain one of life's mysteries."

***

Rupert alighted from his car in the car park and strolled into the graveyard.

He saw Maggie watching Millicent Brady wipe the mud from her boots.

He nodded to Millicent. "How goes the battle?"

"We are winning. Five corpses are in the morgue, and the sixth is almost ready to lift and shift. Maybe you don't know, but how did six women end up in other people's graves."

"Because they wanted to be loved. I think about who did it, but I can't tell you. Can you guesstimate how much longer?"

Millicent sighed. "An hour, at worst two. Why do you ask?"

"The vicar wants to plan the funeral of those actually in coffins tomorrow."

"No rush then."

"I'm sure you would instead be undertaking your autopsies in a clean and dry mortuary."

"Correct, but as you know, murderers are not selective. I'd better get on."

Maggie sidled next to Rupert. "At least these women can now be buried and mourned by those who loved them."

"Closure, we all need closure. The end is essential. Maggie, you might as well go home. I'll stay. The rest of the team knows the score. I need to have a word with the vicar."

"As you are here, the Chief Super must be doing the radio interview."

"No such luck. I will present my report to the BBC and others tomorrow morning. He who must be obeyed has decreed that as it is my shout, I do the donkey work."

Maggie's brow furrowed. "That's a pain in the arse."

Rupert shrugged. "I've done them so many times they don't bother me. The thing is to make sure your facts are correct and tell them as little as possible. I limited questions to two or three at most. Want to join me?"

She laughed. "Not really.

"Go home, have a hot bath and relax. I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks, boss."

He waited until she drove away before finding the vicar.

"Good evening, vicar. We are recovering victim number six. When the team finishes, my guys will remove everything and attempt to restore it as it was. And then it's back to you and yours."

"Will you be attending any of the funerals?

"I honestly doubt it. Even a hardened copper like me has had enough of the dead and funerals. I'm pleased we have arrived at the end.

***

Joyce relaxed in her chair and closed her eyes. What would Rupert think when he learnt of her run-in with Julian? He would no doubt say it was a stupid move but agree the man was an arsehole. Miles away, he wandered to where she might end up. A distant noise annoyed her until she realised her desk phone was ringing. "What the hell." She lifted the receiver.

"Hi Joyce. Samantha Harman. Great news, the date for Talbots trial is fixed."

"Brilliant. With luck, I'll be free to attend."

I've good news. "Others have come forward. We now have twelve rape cases against him. His defence team are ready to throw in the towel. From the evidence I've read, he told one of his victims that as a police officer with an unblemished record, no one would ever believe her. But we and the defence have a problem. We do not know where he is."

Joyce's attention heightened upon hearing those words. "What do you mean you can't find him? Wasn't he supposed to report to his station every morning and evening? How long has he been missing?"

"From investigation, he contacted the duty desk sergeant and told him it was okay to report by phone because he had flu. The stupid sold believed him and noted it in the log. The court wants all charges presented in the same session. Therefore, we must get him booked, arraigned, and any chance of bail cancelled."

"I assume there's an alert out for him."

"There is, but he's gone to ground. I'm not worried he'll make a mistake, and we'll have him."

"Hope you right, but has a cunning bastard. Let me know when he raises his ugly face above the parapet."

"Will do." The call ended.

"What a fucked up world we live in," she said out loud. She grabbed her coat and headed for the car park.

"