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was that night.’
    ‘So I don’t get it?’ came Roxie again.
    ‘I’d like to know who he was with that night, and why? Because if he did have his car tampered with, that means our beloved brother-in-law was into some seriously dodgy shit and I intend to find out what it was.’
    ‘Did you tell that copper about the business card?’ Roxie asked.
    Margaret shook her head.
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Because he treated me like some twat without a brain. And because I wanted to do a little digging of my own first.’
    ‘But he’s old bill. I thought you lot stuck together.’
    ‘Strictly speaking I’m not one of “you lot” at the moment. Anyway, I’m going to take a run down there. Shouldn’t take more than an hour.’
    ‘Less, if I drive,’ said Roxie.
    ‘You want to come?’
    ‘Try and stop me. It’s a nice day. Get the roof downand away we go.’
    ‘Frankie?’ said Margaret.
    ‘No. I’ll stay here with Sharon. I’m too old for adventures. Anyway, if she takes a pill someone should be here if the kids wake up.’
    ‘Course,’ said Roxie. ‘Never thought of that.’
    ‘Just being an auntie,’ came the smug reply.
    ‘I’m one too.’
    ‘And you’ll have plenty of time to practise I hope. You two go. I think you’re mad, and it will end in tears, but I know I can’t stop you,’ said Frankie warningly.
    ‘It already has,’ said Margaret. ‘Come on Rox, if you’re coming. No time to waste.’

20
    Margaret went upstairs and got her jacket, and quickly popped her head in to check on Sharon and the children. All three were fast asleep in the double bed, and she crept away and down the stairs.
    Roxie meanwhile was wearing a sheepskin jacket that she’d found hanging in the hall. ‘She won’t mind me borrowing this I’m sure,’ she said as she slipped it on and admired herself in the mirror by the door. ‘They didn’t stint, did they,’ she said. This is five hundred quid’s worth if it’s a penny.’
    ‘Monty did well.’
    ‘Maybe he was doing too well,’ said Roxie. ‘If what you said was right.’
    Margaret just nodded in reply. She had her own ideas but didn’t want to share them just yet – not even with Roxie.
    They went out to Margaret’s car, and Roxie demanded the keys. ‘Are you sure?’ said Margaret.
    ‘Oh come on, you said I could,’ said Roxie, in the samecajoling tone that had always worked on the family when she was a little girl.
    Mags smiled to herself but said, ‘actually I didn’t, and you’re not insured.’
    ‘So we break a few laws. Where’s your sense of adventure girl?’
    ‘Sense of adventure or not, I’m still a copper.’
    ‘Who’s been suspended through no fault of her own. Come on sis…’
    Reluctantly Margaret handed over the car keys and Roxie jumped in and looked at the controls. ‘Piece of cake,’ she said. ‘How do you get the top down?’
    ‘Press that button.’
    The soft top slid back smoothly and Roxie started the engine. ‘Sweet,’ she said as she gave it some revs.
    ‘Come on, let’s get going before you wake them upstairs.’
    ‘Sorry,’ said Roxie with a mischievous smile, as she slipped the gear lever into reverse and backed out of the drive.
    ‘Turn left at the end,’ said Margaret. ‘The A3’s a mile away.’
    ‘Can’t wait,’ said Roxie, as she shifted into first gear and shot off down the road. ‘A Thelma and Louise trip. What music have you got?’
    Margaret hit the button for the CD changer and her favourite album began to play.
    ‘Who’s that?’ said Roxie above the sound
    ‘Cowboy Junkies.’
    ‘Blimey. No wonder you’re on suspension.’
    ‘Funny.’
    ‘So what happened? I heard you shot someone.’
    ‘Dead right.’
    ‘But not dead?’
    ‘No,’ said Mags, shortly.
    ‘You’ll be OK then. Super-cop will get through this.’
    ‘Stop calling me that. Anyway, that Mahoney didn’t seem to think so.’
    ‘The copper? I had a peep when he left. A bit tasty eh?’
    ‘I didn’t