When he saw the handcuffs on my wrists, his eyes grew round. He looked from me to MacGraw.

‘What’s buzzing?’ he demanded. ‘What have you got this guy here for?’

MacGraw puffed himself out with righteous indignation.

‘Charge of rape, Lieutenant,’ he said. ‘This rat assaulted Mrs. Dedrick. I got there just in time.’

Mifflin’s face was a study. His eyes grew to the size of doorknobs.

‘Is that right, ma’am?’ he said, gaping at Serena. ‘You’re charging Malloy?’

‘Yes,’ she said curtly. ‘Where is Captain Brandon?’

‘He’s off duty tonight,’ Mifflin said, and there was a note of relief in his voice. ‘Get Mrs. Dedrick a chair.’

As she sat down, she let her wrap fall open and both Mifflin and the desk sergeant had a view of the damage. Mifflin sucked in his breath and looked at me in reproachful horror.

‘Did you do that?’ he demanded.