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speckling the pavements like confetti. Probably because of the weather the city was unusually quiet, and this state of affairs was reflected at the Manvers Street police station. Even the old ladies who regularly bring small gifts and people who sleep rough who, high on something or the other, come in for someone to talk to, were missing. I can remember James Carrick once severely reprimanding a constable who referred to such people as ‘cop botherers’ in the hearing of one such person.
    On climbing the stairs to the floor where the CID offices are situated the first person I met, in a corridor, was the new DI, David Campbell. He stared at me in perplexity, not remembering for a moment who I was, and then looked worried.
    â€˜The DCI has asked me to handle his workload today,’ he replied to my query in his strong Glasgow accent.
    â€˜This isn’t about work or any of his current cases,’ I informed him. ‘If you remember we were unable to see him about a week ago because of the murder investigation.’
    â€˜That’s still ongoing, although we have a strong suspect. But nevertheless …’
    â€˜He doesn’t want any visitors?’
    â€˜It’s not that. He’s asked me to oversee present work and handle anything serious that comes in, that’s all.’
    Lowering my voice I said, ‘I’m not here on behalf of SOCA. James is a friend of ours. Is he here?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜D’you mind telling me where he is?’
    â€˜I don’t know where he is.’
    We gazed at one another for a few more moments and then Campbell added stiffly, ‘He said he had a private matter to deal with, Miss Langley.’
    I gave him a big smile. ‘Thanks, and it’s Ingrid.’
    â€˜If you don’t mind I prefer to keep matters on a professional basis. I originally joined Strathclyde Police and that’s how we run things in Scotland. It reflects better on the role of the police.’
    I left, resolving to ask Patrick to try to iron out that particular problem, perhaps by inviting him to share a few drams.
    James’s mobile was switched off so I tried his home number. Joanna answered and I could hear little Iona wailing in the background.
    â€˜She simply won’t settle,’ lamented the new mother after we had exchanged greetings. ‘We’ve had very little sleep for about a week now.’
    â€˜It’s no good asking me for advice as I was useless with Justin and spoiled him terribly but do phone Elspeth and ask to speak to Carrie,’ I urged. ‘She knows absolutely everything about babies. I wanted a word with James. Is he there?’
    Sounding very surprised, Joanna said, ‘No. Isn’t he at work?’
    â€˜I expect he’d just popped out for something,’ I answered lightly. ‘It was only a friendly call.’
    â€˜Patrick’s in London, I take it.’
    â€˜Chained to a desk.’
    â€˜James hasn’t yet resigned himself to the fact that that’ll be his fate now Campbell’s on the job.’
    We rang off. No first names there either, then.
    I am an impatient and stubborn sort of person and hate to be left in a state of limbo when I have decided to do something and am forestalled. It was obvious that Carrick had not merely gone along to Boots to buy some aftershave or had an appointment to discuss financial affairs at his bank or there would not be such an information blackout. To try to find him, though, seemed impertinent at best.
    I rang Patrick and explained the situation, wondering if he had any ideas. He did not, and suggested that I leave it for twenty-four hours. So here I was, all fired up to talk about Benny Cooper and my day now had a very large hole in it. Fine, I would brace myself and seek out Mr Sort-of-Smarmy-with-Shades and see what he had to say for himself.
    Sergeant Derek Woods has been stationed in Bath for a long time, having arrived before James