With lights flashing and sirens wailing, Maggie 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 blockade

Maggie 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 roof of the building 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 officer strolled from behind a fire tender. "What are you two doing here?"

Joyce nodded. "Inspector Chisholm, you've worked fast. The area is sealed, and the road is closed. I'm informed this was an explosion. Do you have any idea on the cause?"

He looked at the two women with arrogance. "Squatters, druggies, the homeless, call them what you want. About twenty years ago, that building," he pointed," belonged to a car mechanic. A one-person business for quality cars. I lived on this street until I joined the force. My parents still live here." He pointed along the road. "That's their house. The locals tell me four, up to five people were living rough in there. As they did not cause a problem, they let them be. When the old man 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 over a metre underground, it was never checked. 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 and the pipe split. The rest is history. 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. Anything you need? Give me a call.?"

"Thanks for asking. 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 own 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 serious. "Listen to what I have to say. Talbot believes he is the victim. For years, I worked the domestic circuit. You learn a lot about human nature when you work outside the system of so-called everyday life. You need to think like the rapist. He believes you wanted him and then 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 make the coffee."

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

Joyce stopped. "Do you mind if I make a suggestion?"

"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 a suggestion from me, 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 make 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 check because you're in the force. You don't happen to have a hundred in cash, do you?"

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

"I know you have 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 looking for evidence that contradicts the allegation of rape.

"Sometimes, the questions are not direct, such as. Will you tell the court why you and the accused drank together in a public house?"

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

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."

"That's a lie."

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

"Would that be with men or women?"

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

"I never said that which is the same as never promising favours to the inspector."

"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 desk sergeant, but most of all, the report log from that night. 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 rapped 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. On hearing 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 missis will be thinking something is going on."

"You'll never get that lucky, Dennis, but thanks for coming. Do the usual, and don't forget the mortice locks are only to open from the inside."

"Understood. I have a new triple-bolt deadlock. It's the best on the market. A cup of coffee would go down a treat."

Not my house, but I'm sure Maggie will make you one."

"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 be taking at least an hour and making a lot of noise."

"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 that arsehole turns up, she's staying with me."

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

"You couldn't make 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."