Sergeant Wield, who had been given the job of looking into complaints from both sides, was summoned by Haggard and later three members of WRAG, including Ms Lacewing, Jack Shorter's partner, were fined for obstructing the police in the execution, etc. This confirmed the vigilantes' instinct that the rights of women and the rights of property owners had nothing in common and a potentially powerful alliance never materialized. But the pressures remained strong enough for Sergeant Wield to be currently engaged in preparing a full report on the Calli and all complaints against it. Pascoe felt a little piqued that his own contribution was being so slightingly dismissed.

'So I just ignore Shorter's information?' he said.

'What information? He thinks some French bird got her teeth bust in a picture? I'll ring the Surete if you like. No, the only thing interests me about Mr Shorter is he likes dirty films.'

'Oh come on!' said Pascoe. 'He went along with a friend. Where's the harm? As long as it doesn't break the law, what's wrong with a bit of titillation?'

'Titillation,' repeated Dalziel, enjoying the word. 'There's some jobs shouldn't need it. Doctors, dentists, scout-masters, vicars – when any of that lot start needing titillation, watch out for trouble.'

'And policemen?'

Dalziel bellowed a laugh.

'That's all right. Didn't you know we'd been made immune by Act of Parliament? They've got a council, these dentists? No doubt they'll sort him out if he starts bothering his patients. I'd keep off the gas if I were you.'

'He's a married man,' protested Pascoe, though he knew silence was a marginally better policy.

'So are wife-beaters,' said Dalziel. 'Talking of which, how's yours?'

'Fine, fine,' said Pascoe.

'Good. Still trying to talk you out of the force?'

'Still trying to keep me sane within it,' said Pascoe.

'It's too bloody late for most of us,' said Dalziel. 'I get down on my knees most nights and say, "Thank you, Lord, for another terrible day, and stuff Sir Robert.'"