Power Games by Judith Cutler

treacherous roof, pouring petrol through a skylight and scarpering, just in time.’
    â€˜You’re sure it’s always been just in time? I’d check out the A. and E. departments. There aren’t many hospitals these days doing that sort of stuff – it shouldn’t take you long.’
    Kate nodded. ‘It’s already down as Fatima’s first job when she comes in tomorrow, Gaffer.’
    Sue snorted with laughter. ‘Trump me, will you? OK, that’s what you’re paid to do, and that’s why they’ve fast-tracked you. Any more thoughts about that yet, Kate?’
    She shook her head. ‘Been a bit busy, what with one thing and another.’
    â€˜So I should hope! After all, Kate, we are into a murder inquiry, now. And I’d like to get as much done as we can before an MIT swoops in.’
    â€˜Ah, the Fifth Cavalry! And they’ll no doubt spot there’s one thing we haven’t checked out yet – who owned the land on which those premises were built. I’ll get Colin on to that first thing tomorrow.’
    â€˜Good thinking. Now, are you off home or are you and the lads going for a quick jar?’
    â€˜Not a lot of lads around.’
    â€˜Ah, of course. Bank Holiday. You know,’ Rowley continued as she cleared a neat spot in the middle of her desk, ‘the culture’s changed so much. When I was your age it was assumed we’d be off, boozing and bonding – not that we even knew the word, mind – till we were half-pissed and nowhere fit to drive. Especially us women, if we wanted to get on. Now, they know we’ve got homes, families, even.’ She touched a framed photo on her desk. ‘What about you?’
    â€˜I’ve got this great aunt,’ she said. ‘But she doesn’t worry if I have half a snifter after work. So long as I have a peppermint afterwards and she can’t smell the beer on my breath.’
    Â 
    Aunt Cassie was so full of news she might not even have complained if Kate had rolled up drunk, provided she’d sat and listened without interrupting. In fact, she could scarcely wait for her first glass of gin to impart it all.
    â€˜Mrs Nelmes tells me that son-in-law of hers is in the soup,’ she said gleefully. ‘You know, young Eyore. Oh, he’s not as bad as that, but he always looks fed up. Graham, that’s it. The fair Flavia’s husband.’ The Harveys, man and wife.
    Kate sipped her tonic and sat down to wait. Acquiescence was usually the best policy where Cassie was concerned. Moreover, if she tried to stop a flow of gossip, the old lady, balked, would turn to other prey. Kate herself, most likely. And in particular her unmarried state. And maybe Cassie would connect Kate’s unmarried state with Graham’s married one. No. Let Cassie have her head.
    â€˜Apparently he was very late home the other night. Very late. They nearly missed some special do at that church of theirs. And though he was supposed to have been on the bus – and it’s a fair walk, according to Mrs Nelmes, for the bus – he was scarcely damp, despite the downpour. Well, that’s what Mrs Nelmes said. So what do you make of that?’
    â€˜Why was he on the bus?’ Kate asked, straight-faced.
    â€˜Oh, there was something the matter with the car.’
    â€˜I wonder why Mrs Harvey didn’t pick him up. She’s got a car of her own, hasn’t she?’
    â€˜Doesn’t like town traffic or some such. Especially in the rain. So what d’you reckon?’
    Kate wouldn’t bite. It was bad enough listening, wasn’t it? ‘What do
you
reckon?’ She asked at last, taking the old woman’s glass and refilling it.
    â€˜I reckon the obvious thing. That someone gave him a lift. Or he might just have taken a taxi. But apparently he didn’t want to talk about it. Told her he was back in time for that do and that was that. Told? Well, he