Joyce woke early, showered, and dressed in a dark brown suit she had not worn for ages.

Rupert returned from his shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. "I always liked that suit. It does that something for you. You look like a proper governor. The boss.

She sat on the edge of the bed and looked directly at him. "We are okay, aren't we? You know our relationship is solid?"

He smiled, "I hope so." And kissed her on the lips.

"Last night. I don't know why, but I wasn't in the mood. Busy day."

My love, we're not rampant sixteen-year-olds in the first flush of a relationship. I enjoy making love to you, not a quickie when I want." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll never understand why you moved in with me, but I've always loved you."

She stared into his eyes. "From the first time, you silenced my insecurities and made me feel comfortable in my body. Over the years, we talked about what works and what doesn't. You have always made me feel special. Please don't change."

"I'm too old to change."

"You'll do me. You still keep me warm on a cold night."

"Glad about that. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"I'm going nowhere until you tell me."

"I don't know. On the way home yesterday, I didn't feel so good. I stopped in a layby; it was unreal, like losing my mind and then chills and hot sweats. I was scared stiff, but then it went. I left the car and walked in the rain, and everything was great."

Rupert pushed his hands through his hair. "I know you're not mad about them, but you should see a doctor and get checked out. You might be stressed. You've been operating without an inspector. You are a DCI. You deal with the big stuff. The nitty gritty you leave to the others, and you kick arse if it's not done on time. Don't shout at me, but you are now into the change or if you prefer the menopause, but what do I know?"

She grabbed his hands. "I'll see the doctor."

"When?"

"I'll phone him this morning."

With breakfast over and the dishes in the dishwasher, they drove to the station in separate cars.

***

Chief Superintendent John Monroe contacted Inspector Hugh Talbot and arranged a meeting at a café in the town centre. He was already there when Talbot arrived.

The two of them shook hands. "Must be important to be outside the station."

"I'd prefer not to be here, but needs must."

"Can we order? This place does an excellent full English."

"No, you can't. Get yourself a coffee and shut up."

Hugh shrugged. "Who fell out of bed on the wrong side this morning?"

"You won't be so chirpy in a minute. In a couple of weeks, you were due to appear in the civil court on a rape charge."

Hugh interrupted. "You know that, and I'm not bothered. I reckon I can convince the court she was gagging for me to do the business."

"You can convince the QC and a jury. The CPS has taken it on and is going to prosecute. The warrant for your arrest on multiple charges of rape will be on my desk this morning. You will hand in your warrant card and are suspended from all duties until a verdict is reached. I suggest you obtain the services of a top lawyer. A friend in CPS tells me the case is as tight as a ducks arse, and that's watertight. You will be an example to the public of how we treat the villains in the force."

Talbot's face paled. "Can they do this?"

"Stupid question, considering it's done. I've given you a heads-up. Use the time you have to somehow make yourself bulletproof. Be advised your friends will turn their back on you, so don't expect them to help."

John finished his coffee and stood. I'm not here, and if you dare to say anything different, you will become a dead man walking."

Talbot stared at the white tablecloth.

"If you're not ordering, please vacate the table, sir?"

Talbot raised his head before standing. "And you can stuff your food where the sun doesn't shine."

"You have five seconds before I call the police."

He roared with laughter. "I am the fucking police." And stomped out.

***

Joyce leant back in her chair, raised her arms, and stretched. Her mind wandered. I must phone the docs and make a well-woman appointment. She flipped open her phone index and found the number as it gave a shrill ring.

"Hi Joyce, Sara, the governor wants to see you ASAP."

"Any idea why?"

"All I know is he received a call from the prison governor, finished the call and asked me to get you here, like yesterday. What have you been up to?"

"I need to visit the girl's room, but you can tell him I'm on my way." She replaced the handset, lifted her shoulder bag and left her office.

"Go straight in," said Sara.

She knocked and entered.

"Morning Joyce, grab a chair."

She looked at him, ready to answer his questions, but he waited.

"You visited Pete Mitchell yesterday."

"I did, but he's a waste of space. Told me a story I'll have checked out, but I don't expect an arrest soon."

He grimaced. "Close the case. The prison staff found him as part of the concrete recreation area. They reckon he fell from the roof."

Joyce narrowed her eyes. "And you believe a prisoner whose home is a locked cell went for a stroll on the roof and fell off?"

"Stop being factitious. If nothing else, it doesn't suit you. I want one of your team to investigate. You talk with Mitchell, and he's learning to fly without wings within hours. And while you're at it, get that woman who is involved."

Joyce chuckled. "I assume you mean, sir, the charming Miss Christabel, Jack Watson's piece of shit."

Julian gave half a smile. "With luck, this will scare the crap out of her, and we can close this case."

She frowned. "If I was a betting woman, I'd put my money we will not find her. I know she's a tart, but I don't wish her dead. If Jack's minder finds her, he will abuse her and then kill her. Getting rid of the rubbish is his speciality."

"Stay focused, Chief Inspector. It could mean a promotion if we could get anything on Watson and his people."

"I'll do my job, sir.  While one of my inspectors checks out Pete Mitchell, I'll collect loves young dream girl, Christabel. That is if she is still on this planet." She stood and, without another word, left Julian's office.

On passing Sara's desk, Joyce stopped. B" He's in an unusually good mood. I'd ask for a pay rise."

"Never going to happen. I'm on the top grade of pay for the job."

"Never hurts to ask. Must dash."

***

In silence, four police cars closed in on Jack Watson's detached house.

Joyce remained in the car until Sergeant Bagshaw and his armed team moved swiftly. Before the uniformed constable could use the big key, the door opened.

Jack Watson stood there with his arms crossed. "Damage my door arsesole, and I'll have your head on a spike for decoration."

Joyce strolled towards him. "I'm here to arrest Christabel for the murder of a young man. Will you get her for me, or do you want my team and their hobnailed boots destroying your expensive flooring?

"She's not here. The last time I saw her was when you lot arrested us for having some fun."

"Getting a blow job in a public car park is an offence. Where is she, Jack?"

"Don't know and don't care. She was past her sell-by date, anyway. Penny, get your arse out here."

Joyce smiled at the young woman, who still retained a sweetness about her. "How old are you, Penny?"

"Twenty, and Jack's a wonderful man before you start preaching. He loves me."

"You standing there is enough to tell me Christabel is not around anymore. When did you last see her."

"I don't know her."

"Let me give you some advice, Jack."

He grinned. "Go ahead, sweetheart. I'm listening."

"If I were you, I'd soak your expensive white shirt in cold water. It's the only way you'll get the blood out."

"Scratched my arm pruning the roses."

Joyce turned and walked towards her car. "Inspector, thanks for your help. You can return to base."

Seated in the passenger seat, she gave one last lingering look at Penny. "Poor cow. I wonder how long you'll last? Jack, you arsehole, you prune roses in February."

***

The desk sergeant stared at the two spotty-faced youngsters before him. "Can I help you?"

The taller of the two leant on the counter. "Who deals with dead bodies?

He smiled. "Why have you found one?"

The smaller boy turned to his friend. Tell him, John."

I told you this was the wrong place. Dead bodies go to the crem. I read it in a book."

The sergeant put on his most serious face. "I hope you're not having me on. Lying to the police is a criminal offence."

"It looks like one and smells a bit."

The sergeant leant on his elbows. "And where might this body be?"

"London Road. You know the field the fly-tippers use."

"Albert says we have to tell the pigs. Do we get a reward if we find a body?"

"You'll get a boot up the arse if you talk to me like that again."

"I told you they wouldn't be fucking interested, Albert. Let's go."

"This body. Male or female?"

"It doesn't have hairy legs."

"Any idea of age?"

"How the fuck would I know. It's squashed in a rusty old oil drum, and I reckon whoever did for her took er clothes off and shoved er in head first."

"Okay, lads. I believe you. I'll have a car with two officers take you to where this body is. If you're taking the piss, you'd better run fast."

"If we were taking the piss, we wouldn't be here. As my mum says, everyone deserves a good funeral."

Fifteen minutes later, a police car stopped alongside a fenced-off area.

Uniformed officers Matt Edwards and Mark Thompson stood and stared at a dump. Everything you could imagine was piled high in front of them.

They turned towards the two lads. "Which way?"

"There's a hole in the fence along the road a bit. It's where the fly-tippers get in. The remains of a wire mesh fence lay in pieces on the ground a hundred yards along the road.

The two boys lead the two officers across the debris. Albert shouted, "The first fifty yards are easy, but heavyweights like you need to watch where you put your feet."

With racing hearts, the two constables carefully followed the teenagers across mattresses, washing machines, and discarded double-glazing frames until the boys stopped.

Albert pointed, "Down there. Can't you smell it? Watch out for the rats."

Matt looked at Mark. "As I'm the slimmer, I suppose I'll be going into a man-made shit heap."

"If I go, you'll need to shift half this junk to get me out. Confirm it's a body, and we can leave it to the detectives to get whoever it is out."

"How come you lads discovered the corpse? Asked Mark

"Don't tell anyone what we were doing. Albert and me come ere and strip the electric motors out of washing machines and the like and flog them to the scrap yard. Gives us some pocket money. Last night, someone dumped a ton of cardboard, and it rained. I jumped on it, and the next minute I'm in a hole surrounded by crap. After removing some of the smaller bits and pieces, I climbed out, but not before I noticed what the rats were eating. We didn't know what to do, so we told you lot.

Matt helped Mark lower himself into the hole between a deep freezer and an old settee.

With his feet on the ground, he shone his torch through a gap in the rubbish. Rats scurried in every direction as the light illuminated the well-nibbled leg protruding from a barrel. "Found it. I'm coming out before I'm sick. The smell is something else." Holding his nose, he clambered into the fresh air. "I'll let the station know."

"You must make a statement and sign it for our records. You can complete the paperwork in our canteen. Do you like Doughnuts?"

Albert said, "Can't remember the last time I ate one. Dad was in an accident, and money is as scarce as rocking horse shit. Mum does her best cleaning but has us to look after."

"You both can have two cakes on the house."

"So, no reward."

Mark grinned. "I'll need to have a word with my governor. He's a mean sod, but I might be able to squeeze a couple of quid out of him.

"Yes, sergeant," said Matt. "Matt, we must stay with the boys until the A team shows."

"It looks like it's going to persist, and as the victim will not be moving, I suggest we all go and sit in the car."

Ten minutes elapsed before the Detectives arrived.

Matt opened the car window when the inspector arrived.

"Where's the body?"

"When you're dressed in your coveralls, I'll show you, but you'll need a large squad or a crane to shift the garbage."

The inspector frowned. "Constable, I'll decide what I need when I see the body."

"Absolutely, sir."

"And get those kids out of here."

"They found the body, sir."

"Constable, engage your brain. I gave you an order. Do it, or I'll have you reprimanded."

"I'm out of here, sir. Let's go, Mark."

The two boys gave their statements at the station but had to wait until their parents arrived. Cups of hot chocolate and a plateful of doughnuts amused them while waiting.

***

On confirmation of the corpse of a woman being discovered, Joyce contacted Inspector Brian Jones.

"Inspector Jones."

"Chief Inspector Parsons. Any chance of an update."

"I have a team clearing away the ton of rubbish surrounding the corpse, guv. The container should be lifted in half an hour or less. I have a funeral van waiting to take it to the morgue for further examination."

"Jones, let me know when it arrives in the morgue and the expected time for the forensic pathologist." She heard him swear. "You have requested a forensic pathologist?"

"No, guv. I made the retrieval of the body my number one priority."

Joyce kept her voice calm. "Not a problem. I'll contact the authorities myself. You make sure the crime scene remains secure."

"Thanks, guv."

She hung up and, checking the number, contacted the coroner's office. The duty forensic officer, Millicent Brady, would be waiting at the morgue. Joyce knew the officer by reputation but had never met her.

Aware she had time, she gave Rupert a call.

"Rupert Parsons."

"Hi, love. Uniform discovered a corpse in a fly tip, which means I will be late home."

"Thanks for letting me know. "I'll defrost a beef stew. You can heat yours up in the microwave."

"Now I know why I fancied you."

He laughed. "You didn't find me irresistible then."

"I'll let you know later. Don't you dare have a headache." She laughed as she replaced the receiver.

She stopped at reception and told the desk officer where she was going.

He made a note in the daily log. "Thanks, guv. Don't suppose anyone told you, but the two lads who found the body are in the canteen. A female officer is supplying them with doughnuts.2

She checked the time on the office clock. "Thanks, sergeant. I'll go and say thank them for helping the police."

"The poor sods live on the Dunmore estate. Not exactly the best start in life."

"It's not their fault, but I understand."

The female officer jumped when Joyce stood alongside her. "Hi, lads, I'm Chief Inspector Parsons. I come to say thank you. Would you like more doughnuts?"

Albert gave a huge smile. "I've had enough, but I've a brother and a sister at home who would love them. Any chance?"

"How many?"

"Can I have a few?" said John.

"Would four each be enough?"

The boys nodded.

Constable Willis, please gather and bag eight doughnuts for the boys."

Albert gazed at her. "You're okay for a copper. Don't know how important this is, but it was next to the oil drum." He handed her a dirt-covered plastic card.

Joyce rubbed away the dirt and stared at a picture of Christabel Anderson. "Thanks. Enjoy the doughnuts." She strode out of the canteen.