Tom Barnaby had just got home from work. Him together with constable Ben Jones had solved the murders of Peter and Caroline Cave and estate agent Harriet Davies a few days ago.

"Hi love" Tom called out as he got in the front door and put his workbag down and took his coat off

He could smell cooking from the kitchen "Oh dear" he muttered under his breath.

Joyce Barnaby came from the kitchen with a smile "Hi Darling, did you have a good day at work?" Joyce was a few years younger than Tom. She had a reputation for her bad cooking and regularly made dishes her husband and daughter hated but Tom loved his wife more than anything and was devoted to her.

"It was alright, boring though" Tom sighed

"You need a juice murder love!" Joyce exclaimed "How is Ben doing?"

"I'm very impressed with him, i do have to admit it. He wants to join CID" Tom explained

"Any word from Daniel?" Joyce asked

"No" Tom replied

"Perhaps Cully could drop by and see how he is. He must be quite ill" Joyce replied before returning to the kitchen

"I don't want our daughter near him Joyce. He has a reputation as a womanizer" Tom snapped

"Tom! Cully is a grown woman, not you're little girl anymore. Time to let her make her own decisions and mistakes" Joyce exclaimed

"But..." Tom tried to reply until Joyce cut in

"He started a relationship with that lovely teacher Liz Francis. Had she not died I'm sure they would have got more serious. And remember how cut up he was when she died. You don't get that upset and depressed over a one night stand" Joyce explained

"Maybe Joyce" Tom said before sitting down to dinner that his wife had made. She had made lamb casserole

Tom took a forkful "This is lovely Joyce" He said trying to not offend his wife

"It's rather good i have to say" Joyce smiled

Joyce washed up and sat on the sofa next to Tom where they both enjoyed a glass of red wine.

It was getting late and both were tired.

Tom's mobile rung, he groaned and reluctantly answered "DCI Barnaby?" he asked

It was Ben Jones on the other end "Sir, I'm so sorry to ring you at this hour, DS Scott has been found dead, stabbed in the neck in the boot of his car which had been dumped in Chaney's field"

"I'll be right there" Tom hung up the phone in complete shock. He couldn't comprehend what he had just been told

"Tom?" asked Joyce

"Scott has been found murdered in Chaney's Field" Tom replied in shock

"What?" Joyce was also in shock

"I have to meet Jones at the scene" Tom replied before putting his coat on and grabbing his car keys and running out the door.