be shipped out by helicopter to have his arm stitched.' He looked at Bridges inquiringly. 'Any idea what he was doing there? In view of the fact he was bailed to this address and presumably you have some knowledge of what he gets up to.'
'Sorry, mate, that's where you're wrong. Steve's a closed book to me.'
'You said you warned him I'd come checking.'
'Not you personally. I don't know you from Adam. I told him the filth would come. That's different.'
'Still, if you had to warn him, Tony, then you must have known he was about to leg it. So where was he planning to go and what did he plan to do?'
'I told you. The guy's a closed book to me.'
'I thought you were at school together.'
'We've grown apart.'
'Doesn't he doss here when he's not on his boat?'
'Not often.'
'What about his relationship with Kate?'
Bridges shook his head. 'Everything I know about her is in my statement,' he said virtuously. 'If I knew anything else, I'd tell you.'
Galbraith looked at his watch. 'We've got a bit of a problem here, son,' he said affably. 'I'm on a tight schedule, so I can only give you another thirty seconds.'
'To do what, mate?'
'Tell the truth.' He unclipped his handcuffs from his belt.
'Pull the other one,' scoffed Bridges. 'You're not going to arrest me.'
'Too right I am. And I'm a hard bastard, Tony. When I arrest a lying little toe-rag like you, I take him out just as he is, never mind he's got a bum like a pizza and his prick's shrunk in the fucking wash.'
Bridges gave a throaty chuckle. 'The press would crucify you. You can't drag a naked guy through the streets for illegal possession. It's hardly even a crime anymore.'
'Try me.'
'Go on then.'
Galbraith snapped one bracelet onto his own wrist, then leaned forward and snapped the other onto Tony's. 'Anthony Bridges, I am arresting you on suspicion of conspiracy in the rape and murder last Saturday night of Mrs. Kate Sumner of Langton Cottage and the grievous bodily assault this morning of Miss Margaret Jenner of Broxton House.' He stood up and started walking toward the door, dragging Bridges behind him. 'You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense-'
'Shit!' said the young man stumbling to his feet. 'This is a joke, right?'
'No joke.' The DI twitched the spliff out of the young man's fingers and flicked it, still alight, into the corridor. 'The reason Steven Harding was attacked by a dog this morning is because he attempted to assault another woman in the same place that Kate Sumner died. Now you can either tell me what you know, or you can accompany me to Winfrith, where you will be formally charged and interviewed on tape.' He looked the man up and down, and laughed. 'Frankly, I couldn't give a toss either way. It'll save me time if you talk to me now, but'-he shook his head regretfully-'I'd hate your neighbors to miss the fun. It must be hell living next door to you.'
'That spliff's going to set my house on fire!'
Galbraith watched the joint smolder gently on the wooden floorboards. 'It's too green. You're not curing it properly.'
'You'd know, of course.'
'Trust me.' He yanked Bridges down the corridor. 'Where were we? Oh, yes. It may harm your defense if you do not mention, when questioned, something you later rely on in court.' He pulled open the door and ushered the man outside. 'Anything you do say may be given in evidence.' He prodded Bridges onto the pavement in front of a startled old lady with fluffy white hair and eyes as big as golf balls behind pebble spectacles. 'Morning, ma'am,' he said politely.
Her mouth gaped.
'I've parked behind Tesco's,' he told Bridges, 'so it'll probably be quicker if we go up the High Street.'
'You can't take me up the High Street like this. Tell him, Mrs. Crane.'
The elderly woman leaned forward, putting a hand behind her ear. 'Tell him what, dear?'
'Oh, Jesus! Never mind! Forget it!'
'I'm not sure I can,' she murmured in a confidential tone. 'Did you know you were naked?'
'Of course I know!' he shouted into her deaf ear. 'The police are denying me my rights, and you're a witness to it.'
'That's nice. I've always wanted to be a witness to something.' Her eyes brimmed with sudden amusement. 'I'll tell my husband about it. He'll be pleased as punch. He's been saying for years that the only thing that happens when you burn the candle at both ends is the wick gets smaller.' She gave a joyful laugh as she moved on. 'And, you know, I always thought it was a joke.'
Galbraith grinned after her. 'What do you want me to do with your front door?' he asked, grabbing the handle. 'Slam it shut?'
'Jesus no!' Bridges lurched backward to stop the door from closing. 'I haven't got a key, for Christ's
