The clamour as the lift doors opened shocked Rupert. Filing cabinets moved forward, left and right. Plastic crates stuffed with paperwork and evidence bags obscured the long wall to his right. He smiled when he saw Constable Julie Oddman waving her arms in the middle of the room as if directing traffic.

"She's discovered her vocation," said Maggie. "Linda and Wendy are gathering office equipment for immediate use but will need your signature for a photocopier."

He looked straight at her. "You don't need me here getting in the way, do you?"

"You read my mind. Only a suggestion, sir, why don't you visit the canteen for a bacon roll and a cup of tea. I'll let you know when you can get into your office. Here, take my paper."

"Great idea, but I would like to discuss and outline my thoughts on how I want the office to operate. You know, establishing objectives, strategies. I want this to be a team I can be proud of."

Maggie considered his words. "Trust me, sir. Tomorrow is another day, and this chaos will have hopefully ended."

He nodded. "I'll be in the canteen. An update on progress would be helpful."

She glances at her watch. "Eleven, and I prefer black coffee and no sugar."

"It will be on the table on time." He turned and pressed the button for the lift.

A window seat that overlooked the green area was not a problem, with lunchtime three hours away.

"Mr Parsons."

He turned to see a tall, well-dressed figure of a young woman holding a folder close to her chest.

"Can I help you?"

"Maggie told me you would be here. I have the employment contracts for your two civilians. Clair Walker from HR."

He held out his right hand. "What am I supposed to do with them."

"Read them over, make changes if necessary, and have the two applicants sign them." Clair removed her glasses. "I've marked the relevant sections with a pencilled X". She gave a little smile.

"I'll ensure they're on their way to your office today."

"What's this, chatting up the female staff from HR when my back is turned."

"Hi, Joyce. Would I dare?

Clair glanced at Joyce. "I have enough problems with my partner. She might be upset if I two-timed her for a man. Must dash."

Rupert grinned at Joyce. "The world is changing."

"I took your advice re the night club stabbing and chatted with your bouncer friend, big Charlie. We walked around the park near where he lives. He suspected it was a random stabbing." Joyce seated herself opposite him. "It appears someone wasn't happy with their girlfriend sleeping around and eliminated the competition."

"Did he give you a name?"

"No."

Rupert shrugged. "He doesn't know who it is or, more than likely, wants his face to remain in one piece."

"It's difficult to find a suspect when no one saw a thing."

"Keep the file in your in-tray. Find out who the girl is tied to. It may help if you drag her into an interview room. Tell her to bring a lawyer. Pile the pressure on. Mention in passing she might be charged with being an accessory to murder. She won't talk, but you might learn something useful when you discover who her brief is."

"Good idea. I'll take Sergeant Jacobs with me. He can be a nasty piece of work when he tries. You know the score, good cop, bad cop."

Joyce kissed him on the cheek. "See you later."

Maggie gave a false cough. "Fraternising with females in the canteen, sir. Whatever next, and where's my coffee?"

"Grab a seat." Rupert stood and shook his head. "I'll get you a milky coffee and no sugar."

He returned with a steaming cup of coffee in less than a minute. "So, how's it going?"

She sipped her coffee. "You can now enter your office, but the room still looks like a bomb hit it. With luck, the cabinets will be in place before we go home. When do the files arrive?"

"Tomorrow."

"Another day in the madhouse."

"I'd prefer if you took your time. You know what people say: more haste, less speed. Eighty per cent of those files will gather dust and never see daylight. The remainder will sooner or later be required. It always amazes me how many convicted criminals re-offend. So, is there anything else I need to know?"

"I think a thank you to your staff would not go amiss. They've worked bloody hard."

We'll return to my office when you finish your coffee and have our first staff meeting."

"I finished five minutes ago."

Rupert stood. "What are we waiting for?"

In the lift, Maggie asked, "What will you say?"

"I haven't a clue."