I can't help yawning. "Maybe I'd better go..."

"No, you'd better not leave me hanging like this. I want to hear the end of the story."

"I could continue tomorrow..."

"Ben, please...?"

"Oh, all right."

***

"Which coins, Mr. Gills?"

"Well, coins. Those you collect." He looked at me. "Or maybe you don't."

"You're a coin collector?"

"Well, not a great one, but I do have some."

"Are they worth a lot?"

"Some of them..."

I thought for a moment and Mr. Gills just stared at the computer screen which still showed the photo of his girlfriend.

"I think we should set up an exchange. A faked one of course. I'll be there with a colleague and we'll get the blackmailer the moment the exchange has gone through."

Gills hesitated. "Is that safe? I mean, on TV the bad guys always get away... or just want you to deposit something somewhere and only show up later..."

"I thought I had improved your view of the police, Mr. Gills? It'll be all right. We won't be fooled. This is the quickest way to catch whoever it is. If we have to try to track him down via phone-calls or emails it's going to take a lot longer and I wouldn't rely on his patience before he publishes the pictures."

Gills sighed heavily again. "It's the only real option, right?"

"It's the best option, Sir."

He looked up at me defeated. "All right then, I guess. So what do we do now?"

"We wait for the instructions. And I'll get support in."

***

"You didn't call me though. I should be offended by that."

"I wanted to but there was no time. It would have taken you too long to get out to Midsomer Deverell, Gail."

"Hm. Too bad. You know I always like to help you."

I smile at her. "Shall I continue?"

She nods.

***

The email arrived quickly. The blackmailer did not seem to have any patience at all.

'Meeting in half an hour on the forest track behind the church yard. Bring the coins!'

I called the local village P.C. , Davies, in for backup, there was no time to get anyone over from Causton. He was with us within 10 minutes and we set up our plan.

I was going to keep an eye on the church-ward end of the track, he was going to come in from the other way, knowing his way around the woods. Mr. Gills was to keep a line to me open on his mobile, thankfully he had a hands-free set for it that allowed him to keep the phone hidden. That way I'd be able to listen in on what was going on and would know when to move in.

P.C. Davies went ahead to get into the woods unnoticed, then Mr. Gills got into position and I followed last, parking in the church yard. I pretended to look at the announcements outside the church but kept a close eye out for traffic. Soon a man cycled by and indeed turned onto the forest track.

"Someone's coming, Mr. Gills," I warned him over the phone and went over to the track myself, holding back far enough so I wouldn't be spotted. Davies had promised to stay hidden close enough to Mr. Gills to observe what was going on and to be able to move in.

I only heard the following conversation over the phone line.

'Ah, I see you brought them.'

'As you wanted. Where's the memory-card?'

'First things first, give me the coins.'

'How do I know you haven't copied the photos?'

A laugh. 'You don't.'

'You bastard!'

'Now, the coins please or shall I publish the photos?'

'Here, take them, just leave Bianca out of this.'

I was close enough now to see the exchange happen. The man flipped open the folder Gills had given him and nodded, clearly satisfied. He turned to leave.

"Hey, what about the photos?"

He only got another laugh for a reply. The man started to walk away and I stepped onto the track in front of him, my ID ready. Davies had seen my move and came running from the other side, calling out "It's Julian Peters!"

"Mr. Peters, you're under arrest."

At first it seemed like he wanted to just hit the pedals and race away but then he slumped and let himself be led to my car. I brought him in to the station here in Causton with Mr. Gills following behind as he would need to give a proper statement.

***

"So, case closed?"

"Not quite. Things never are as straightforward here in Midsomer as they might seem."

"That's true..."