'Thank you, Miss Linnane,' he said, getting up. 'You've been very helpful. I'll intrude on you no longer.'

'Having you here has reassured me greatly.'

'I'm glad to hear that.'

'If this case is left in the hands of bumbling local policemen, it would never be solved.'

Colbeck sprang to his friend's defence. 'You do Superintendent Stockdale a disservice,' he said with polite firmness. 'He's extremely competent and polices this town well.'

'I found him a trifle vulgar,' said Kate.

'We must agree to differ on that score.'

She produced her most bewitching smile. 'I suspect that we'd agree on most other things, Inspector.'

She offered her hand and he placed a token kiss on it before letting himself out. Colbeck felt as if he had been watching a performance rather than having a normal conversation. To a woman like Kate Linnane, even one person constituted an audience. As he walked along the passageway, he had the uncomfortable sensation of being watched and he threw a glance over his shoulder. Nobody was there yet he still sensed a presence. It was unsettling. When he turned the corner, therefore, he came to a sudden halt after a few steps then flattened his back against the wall. He inched his way towards the corner so that he could peer around the angle. He was just in time to see the shadowy figure of a man going into Kate Linnane's room before closing the door behind him.

'Where the devil have you been, man?' roared Edward Tallis from behind his desk. 'I expected you ages ago.'

'I had some calls to make, Superintendent,' said Leeming.

'Your first call should have been here so that you could tell me what happened yesterday evening. Instead of that, you stay away for hours. You'd better have a very good reason for doing so.'

'I visited the house where Mr Kellow lodged.'

'Did you learn anything pertinent to the investigation?'

'I believe so, sir.'