Rupert smiled as Joyce entered his office.

"This is a pleasant surprise. All quiet on the western front?"

She stared out of the window. "I lost my temper with Julian."

"Why."

"He pissed me off with his patronising attitude."

He laughed. "I know it's not funny, but you've put up with you're a woman since you joined the force. I gather you stood your ground, and he apologised."

"You know about it?"

"Pour yourself a coffee and take a seat. Yes, Julian phoned and had a chat. I told him you were right, and he was out of order. I'm not sure he agreed with me. I did mention you get uptight with the wind-ups and men's comments behind your back, and I advised him it's his job to back you in public. You know my favourite saying. Praise in public and bollock in private. How's Roger Brown?"

"Doing okay. Eric Simpson saved his life."

"Have you put him forward for a commendation?"

"Not yet, but I will."

"When you return to your office, close the door and make it a priority. It's amazing how other things get in the way, and it does not get done. Take your phone off the hook until you've written your report."

She gave a mock salute. "Yes, boss."

"There's a smile on your face. Now I have work to do even if you haven't, chief inspector."

"When his brief has had a chat with him, I'll need to interview under caution Pete Mitchell. What are you reading?"

He leant back in his chair. "Something interesting is evolving. We can do without missing persons. They take up too much time and human resources. Unfortunately, it appears women have been leaving home, and it appears vanishing."

Joyce shrugged. "The fact is that men and women go missing every day. They leave their homes and partners every day for a thousand reasons. We would need to double the force to try and find them."

"I agree, but these women appear to have moved to another planet. I've three confirmed and three more pending."

"What makes you think they have vanished."

Rupert frowned. "I don't know where to start. The common denominator of the three we examined is identical. Please don't laugh. They were on their way to see the vicar."

Joyce shook her head. "I assume the vicar is in the clear."

Rupert pointed to the reports. "This is where it becomes interesting. The vicar knew nothing of these meetings as he was miles away giving a talk or attending a seminar. We have written confirmation from those who were with him. He never denied he knew them as they went to his services. He even joined the police search. But my gut feeling is there's much more to this than I'm extracting from the files."

"Go with your gut feeling, but how I see it is you're walking towards a cliff in the dark. Be careful. Must go and interview Pete Mitchel and find out what his brief has told him to do. I dislike that smarmy bastard."

"You're not paid to like him."

"***

On her way to the cells, Joyce asked, "Have you seen Jeromy Charter, Mr Mitchell's lawyer, sergeant?"

"Yes, guv, he told me to find you, but as he's not my boss, I didn't bother."

"I assume he's still in Mitchel's cell."

"He was the last time I went and checked."

On descending the stairs to the cells, she made a decision. Without knocking, she opened the door. "have you finished discussing your situation, Mr Mitchell?"

Charters gave a sickly grin. "He has and prepared to admit to a charge of manslaughter if your officer doesn't make it."

Joyce leant on the door frame. "I don't believe he has a choice as I decide the charge, not you. You may follow me to the interview room, and I will ask the questions. I'll have the interview recorded. I'll be honest: Your client is not going home tonight. I will recommend to the court he is not allowed bail."

"You may recommend Chief Inspector, but the judge decides."

Joyce turned her head as she walked away. "I'm telling you. Not for a double murderer."

"Have I misunderstood? You want to charge my client with two murders."

She opened the door to the interview room. "At the moment, it is one murder and one attempted murder. I have enough evidence to have him locked away for a long time. In fact, he'll be able to apply for his state pension before he leaves prison. Please sit at the table while I find a sergeant to take notes and another to act as a witness."

Joyce returned with Sergeant Bob Andrews and Constable Inglis. "Mr. Charters, I am unwrapping two new tapes and inserting them into the recording machine. She pressed the record button, gave the date and time, and named those present. With her files in front of her, Joyce asked. "Mr Peter Mitchell, do you know a Christabel Anderson."

"I might."

"Please answer yes or no."

"The name sounds familiar."

"Mr. Charter, Mr Mitchell. I have time on my side. Cooperate, or I will return you to your cell and go home to a meal cooked by my husband." she pushed a photograph across the table. "You are standing behind a young man who died from a stab wound. The woman in front of him is Miss Anderson."

Michell stared at the picture. "Looks like me." He handed it to Charters. "What do you think?"

"Not clear. It could be a thousand people." He lifted the photo. "If this is your evidence, I'm finished, and my client has no further comment."

Joyce remained calm and removed another photo from her file. "Why are you standing next to this man with a pool of blood seeping from underneath his body?"

"Wrong place, wrong time."

"What would you say if I told you I have a witness who says Jack Watson paid you to kill this man."

"I would say you're talking through your arse. If it was true and Jack found out, he would deal with it."

Joyce leant on the table. "How"

"I don't know. Ask Jack." She looked at him and smiled.

"Mr Mitchell, will you stand up, please?"

"Why?"

"Because I am about to confirm two charges. One is for the nightclub stabbing and the other the attempted murder of a police officer."

Mitchell showed no response.

Charters turned to Mitchell. "I would stand, or she'll get a couple of her officers to lift you to your feet."

"Not guilty to the nightclub thing and manslaughter for your, mate."Joyce nodded. 

"Mr Mitchell, I have the evidence. You have the right to plead how you wish. Do you understand the charges"

He nodded."Sergeant, escort Mr Mitchell to his cell."

She lifted her folder and waited for Mitchell to leave. "Mr Charter's, I have solid evidence and eyewitnesses to both crimes. Please talk with your client; he thinks Jack Watson will get him out of this mess. It ain't going to happen."

Charles grinned. "He has the intelligence of a rocking horse, but I'll try to get him a deal. It's how I make my money."

Joyce stopped the tape machine, removed two tapes and gave Charters one.

"See you in court."

"I'm sure you will, Chief Inspector."

***

Maggie read the single sheet reports on three missing women. "Want me to check them out, guv?"

"I do, but where are we going with this? You know we don't have a single lead. Before I request further action, the boss will ask why. In all honesty, I cannot give him an answer. For the first time in my career, I don't know."

"Sir, before you decide, let me check these out."

"You're right. Out of interest, do we have anything on this vicar?"