‘Clearly.’
‘Could have been worse – she could have been a Gordon Sumner fan.’
Kate poured herself another cup of water and took a sip. ‘Have you identified the stabbing victim yet?’
‘No.’
‘Seems odd that no one has come forward. How old would you say he was?’
Bennett shrugged. ‘Eighteen or nineteen.’
‘A single stab wound to the chest. A mugging, do you think?’
‘Unlikely.’
‘Why?’
‘The location, so close to the main street. That time of night in Camden Town the place would have been jumping.’
‘True. But there was no wallet on him.’
‘You saw someone running away.’
‘That’s right. Constable Wilkinson set off in pursuit but couldn’t catch him. I stayed with the victim.’
‘Just as well, by the sounds of it.’
‘I hope so.’ Kate shrugged too. ‘Still touch and go.’
‘But you didn’t get a good look at the assailant?’
‘Just his back as he was running away – he had a hood on, dark clothes …’ Kate held her hands up apologetically.
‘What about on his feet?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘Ethnicity?’
‘Like I say, he was wearing a hooded top.’
‘Height?’
‘Hard to tell from the distance. Not tall. Medium height, I’d say.’
Bennett nodded and threw his cup into the bin. ‘When we know who the vic is, might give us somewhere to start.’
‘Usually helps.’
The detective gave her an appraising look. ‘How about I shout you lunch later, as we’re going to be working together?’
‘No can do, I’m afraid.’
‘Back to the day job, then. What is it, medical centre at the university?’
Kate nodded. ‘That and the odd lecture. But not until next Wednesday. The students have half-terms nowadays, reading weeks.’
‘Not in my day.’
‘Nor mine. Sad to say. Still,’ she smiled, ‘at least the policemen aren’t looking younger.’
‘Ouch. So … lunch?’ Bennett obviously didn’t give up easily.
‘Prior arrangement – sorry.’ Kate smiled again, over Bennett’s shoulder this time, as Jack Delaney came walking down the corridor towards them.
‘Morning, Jack. This is Tony Bennett, the new DI.’
Delaney nodded and held his hand out. ‘Pleasure to meet you,’ he said, his voice clipped, all business.
‘Likewise.’
They shook, the briefest of handshakes. Kate looked at Delaney, sensing his troubled mood. ‘Everything all right, Jack?’
‘Fine as. Why?’
‘You look like someone’s just walked over your grave.’
Delaney smiled humourlessly. ‘Dancing on it, more likely. I’ve just been to visit Peter Garnier.’
Bennett whistled through his teeth. ‘I heard about what happened this morning. Someone took a shot at him.’
‘That’s right. Shame they missed.’
‘How’d anyone know he’d be there?’
‘Good question. Someone leaked it to the press, too.’
‘Someone on the force?’ asked Kate.
‘Exactly.’
