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The door behind him opened a second ti

‘Seen anything worth reporting?’ she asked, as she stared at a plate of biscuit crumbs

‘Carter left the house to go into his shed, and spent an hour there I think he orking on so, but I couldn’t make out what it was’

‘Then it will be our job to find out toence officer on e’re up to Good lad, if a little sensitive about the Met straying onto his patch without warning He’s well aware of Carter’s past record – in fact, he’s a pro now But to date he’s given hiraving for one or two of the local schools and sports clubs, although he claims he’s retired’

‘“Criet ”’

‘The Hawk?’

‘No, Fred Yates So, are you going to take over up here, while I go down and have a closer look?’

‘Sure If Carter comes out of the house, follow him But if he drops into his local, don’t join him You’ll stick out like a sore thumb’

‘And when do you want me to come back?’

‘Around ht shift I left some sandwiches in the car for you, but noish I’d eaten the at the biscuit crumbs

‘Sorry,’ said Williae’

‘Which will only be added to our bill, and I don’t have to remind you, detective constable, that we’re not on holiday’

William slipped out of the room, drove back into town and parked between two cars on the far side of Mulberry Avenue, from where he had a clear view of the house Just after eleven, he saw the light on the ground floor go off and ht itched on Twenty minutes later the house was in complete darkness

He took his tiuilty with every bite Fearing he would fall asleep, he tried various ways of staying awake, including reciting Tennyson’s Morte d’Arthur, singing ‘Nessun Dores of all time – Bradman 9994, Pollock 6097, Headley

At ht, he drove back to the hotel to find Jackie already up and ready to take his place