Hiller had recovered from his shock and was now regarding Dalziel with wary neutrality. 'How are you, er, Andy?' he said. 'I'm grand. And who's your friend?' 'This is Detective-Inspector Stubbs. Stubbs, meet Detective-Superintendent Dalziel, Head of Mid- Yorkshire CID.'

Hiller's tone underlined the title. Stubbs held out his hand. 'Hi.

Glad to meet you, Supe.' 'Supe?' echoed Dalziel. 'Up here we drink supe. Or if it's homemade, we chew it. Will you be staying in West Yorkshire long enough to learn our little ways?' Stubbs glanced at Hiller, who said, 'Actually, er, Andy, we're on our way to your neck of the woods. This is just in nature of a courtesy call on Mrs Tallantire in passing." 'I see. In passing Skipton? On your way to Mid-Yorks HO? From South Thames?' As he spoke, Dalziel's finger traced two sides of a rectangle in the air, and he smiled an alligator's smile. 'Now that's what I call courtesy! Maudie, isn't it nice of Geoff here to come so far out of his way just for old time's sake?

Incidentally, Geoff, I presume you're expected at my shop? I was talking to the Chief yesterday afternoon and he said nowt.' 'The Home Office should have phoned Mr Trimble this morning,' said Hiller. 'That explains it. It's my day off, which is why I'm here. Social call on an old friend. Mebbe it's your day off too?' 'No,' said Hiller. 'Not really. I'm afraid there is a business element to my call, Mrs Tallantire. You may have heard that some question has arisen as to the safety of the verdict in the Mickledore Hall murder case. In fact, Cecily Kohler has been released and the Home Office has ordered an inquiry into the affair. Your late husband, Detective-Superintendent Tallantire, conducted the original investigation and will naturally figure in the inquiry which I have been instructed to take charge of.'

'Now isn't that funny? Andy and I were only just now talking – ' 'And you've come to warn Maudie that the Press will probably be sniffing around,' intervened Dalziel.