With lights flashing and sirens wailing, Joyce manoeuvred the vehicle at speed. Once out of the town centre, the traffic thinned, and she went as close as possible to the location. She stopped when a male constable standing next to a barrier held up his right hand.

She lowered the driver's window and held out her warrant card.

He peered into the car, stepped back, and moved the barrier

Joyce gave him one of her best smiles as she drove through. In one hundred yards, three fire engines prevented any further travel.

Joyce and Maggie jumped out and stood still. Both gaped at the rubble-strewn road. To their left were two cars with no windows. Their interiors filled with red brick debris. The building's roof hung at an obscene angle,  as if refusing to let go.

"What do you reckon?" Maggie asked Joyce.

"Pound to a penny a gas explosion. Few German bombs dropped on this area during the war."

A uniformed police inspector strolled from behind a fire tender. "What are you two doing here?"

Joyce nodded. "Inspector Chisholm, you've worked fast. Do you have any idea what caused the explosion?"

He peered at the two women with arrogance. "Squatters, druggies, the homeless, call them what you want. About twenty years ago," he pointed, "belonged to a car mechanic. A one-man business for quality cars. I lived on this street until I joined the force. My parents still live here." He pointed along the road, number forty-four.

The locals tell me four, up to five people were living rough in the old garage. As they didn't cause a problem, they let them be. When the garage owner died, the gas board disconnected the supply. It seems the engineer cut and sealed the end of the pipe by hammering the ends together. Being a metre underground, the gas board never checked for leaks. It worked, and I don't suppose anyone has inspected the property since. To keep warm, those living here lit a fire. There must have been some ground movement, splitting the pipe. From the locals, I hear flames erupted from the ground as bricks, shards of glass, and debris fell from the sky. Thank God no one got hurt."

Joyce held up her hand. "I'm surprised by the lack of collateral damage."

Chisholm shrugged. "You're right, but it was an accident waiting to happen."

Joyce ran her hand through her hair. "Thank you for your explanation. If there's anything you need, give me a call."

"Thanks. Not at the moment. You'll hear me when I shout."

Together, they returned to where Joyce had parked. "Maggie, where do you live?"

She pointed. "Turn left at the end of the road and a few streets along. I managed to buy a flat. It's not huge, but it does the job. Nothing is better than having your place to chill and not worry. Why do you ask?"

"As my husband would say. It's my job to think the worst until I don't have to."

"What's on your mind?"

Joyce leant against the car. Her facial expression was serious. "Listen to what I have to say. Talbot believes he is the victim. For years, I worked the domestic circuit. You learn plenty about human nature when working with everyday life's detritus. You need to think the same way as a rapist. He believes you wanted him and played hard to get. All he did was take what you promised. I know you didn't, and you know the truth. In court, his lawyer will paint you as black as he can. I can help you by going through the questions he will ask." She glanced at the time and kept her words low to make the most suggestive impact. "We have an hour plus, and I need a coffee. Your decision."

"I need to talk about it. No time like the present, and I'll brew the coffee."

In less than five minutes, they were climbing the stairs of Maggie's flat.

Joyce stopped. "Do you mind if I say something?"

"Go ahead."

"You need better locks on your front door. What you have belongs in the ark. From experience, a double-cylinder deadbolt and a mortice lock at the top and bottom. Add a spyhole to the list." From her bag, she removed a card. "Dennis Sharp, Locksmith. Give him a ring. Tell him it's my suggestion, and you want them installed tonight."

Maggie checked the time on her watch. "You must be joking. Tradesmen in this town take a month to send an estimate."

"If you mention my name, you'll sleep better tonight. Where's your phone? I'll call Dennis, and you can do the coffee."

Maggie returned from the kitchen carrying two mugs of coffee.

"Dennis will be here in twenty minutes. I've told him what you need. I'll stay until he finishes, and he'll take a cheque because you're in the force. Unless you don't happen to have a hundred in cash."

Maggie seated herself in a chair opposite Joyce. "We'd better get on with the questions and answers."

"I know you've appeared in court, but Talbot's lawyer is out to trip you up and cast a cloud on your character. For sure, he will question your behaviour before and after the incident. I guarantee it will be a man who will be checking for evidence which contradicts the allegation of rape.

"Sometimes, the questions are not direct. For example, will you tell the court in your own time why you and the accused spent an evening drinking together?"

Maggie smiled. "On completion of any course of instruction, it is usual for the class and instructors to go for a drink."

Was this compulsory?"

"Of course not."

So, you attended because you wanted to or to be near the accused?"

"I attended because it is what you do."

"What was your relationship with Inspector Talbot?"

"Instructor and student."

"I understand you approached the accused and promised him sex if you received high marks."

"No, I did not."

"We will return to this later. How often do you have sexual relationships?"

"Are you referring to men or women?"

Joyce laughed. "Great answer. He will come back at you with. So, you're bisexual."

"I'm not. And I never promised sexual favours to the inspector. He's not my type." She wiggled her little finger. "Know what I mean."

"You are now starting to play his game. Remember, he's a professional, so listen to the question and ask him to repeat it if you're unsure. Never forget we have his DNA and the report log from the night of his attack. Back to the questions. In your own words, tell me how the evening ended."

"The evening ended when your client broke into my lodgings, attacked and raped me."

The doorbell gave a muted ring. "Must get a new one," said Maggie as she left the room.

Joyce followed her to the top of the stairs and waited. When she heard a familiar voice, she raised her voice. "Let him in, Maggie. He has work to do."

"Are you okay, Joyce? Can you tell me why every job I do for you is at the end of the working day? My wife will be thinking something is going on."

"You'll never know, Dennis. One day, you might get lucky. Anyway, thanks for coming. Do the usual, and don't forget the mortice locks are only to open from the inside. Have you still in your workshop any of those security cameras and silent alarms?"

"I have both. These cameras are past their sell-buy date but look convincing when I connect them to the mains. The silent alarm, who is the first contact? I've a new triple bolt deadlock. They're the best on the market. A cup of coffee would go down a treat."

"Not my house, but I'm sure Maggie will provide. The only contact will be me. Milk and sugar?"

"Yes, please. Four sugars would be good."

Maggie smiled. "Will a mug be okay?"

"Whatever."

"Give me a couple of minutes."

"I'll take a few hours and make a racket."

"I'll get your coffee."

Dennis was already marking and measuring the door. "This door is old, so I'll install a steel plate where the central lock will be. Added security."

Maggie glanced at the time. "Shit. Guv, I have a problem. I need to collect Julie from the station. In case the arsehole Talbot turns up, she's staying with me."

"Not a problem. Take the car, and I'll stay here until you return."

"You couldn't get Dennis a coffee?"

"Away you go, Maggie."

Maggie grabbed her coat. "Thanks, Guv."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dennis smiling. "You can trust your boss not to steal the family silver."

"What she can find, she can keep."