"Well, back to your story. I think you didn't stop for breakfast. What you brought into the CID-room this morning looked like canteen stuff to me."

"Observant, are you?" I raise an eyebrow at Gail.

"I'm a detective. I'd better be."

That makes me laugh. "Right. So, Miss observant detective, do I need to recount what went on while I was at the station, too? Or do you know all of it already?"

"Actually I do have cases to work on myself, I cannot spend all day observing you. So, go on. I might know bits and pieces, but not the whole picture."

"All right then..."

***

I walked into the CID room with a bun and a cup of coffee. Chief Inspector Barnaby had already heard about about my call-out. Probably he had inquired why I wasn't in yet.

"Morning, Jones," he greeted me. "So, has the Morning-Mugger struck again?"

"Good morning, Sir. Actually I don't think so. This doesn't seem to be connected, though it was early morning."

"Unconnected, is it? Well, I'm sure a talented young Sergeant like you will be able to deal with it then."

With Tom Barnaby I am never sure if he actually means something like this as a compliment or is just winding me up. "Yes, Sir." Always a safe answer.

"Good. I'll be talking to Mrs. Jennings again. Something is wrong about what she told me the other day and I intend to find out what it is. If you need help, I'm sure Stevens will be glad to assist."

***

Gail laughs. "Yes, I heard that part. He's still working on that murder inquiry, no progress today in case you hadn't spoken to him again later on."

"No, I hadn't. No progress at all? So I achieved more than him today!" I have to smile at the thought.

"Anyway, sorry for interrupting, go on."

***

The chief wasn't out the door for too long when my phone rang. It was Mr. Gills.

"Oh, Mr. Gills. Thank you for calling so soon."

"Well, it's in my own interest, isn't it? I want my camera back. I have here the serial number..."

"Just a moment, Sir." I got out my notepad and pen. "All right, go on, please."

He gave me the serial number and exact type of his stolen camera.

"Is there anything else you can remember about the incident, Sir? Anything at all?"

"Incident. Is that what you call it? I call it a mugging. And no, Sergeant, I already told you, I can't remember anything."

"Well, if anything comes to mind..."

"I will call you, yes, yes. Listen, I'd like to lie down for a bit now, at least until these pills finally do their job."

"Of course. Thanks again for calling. I'll be in touch as soon as I have news for you."

So he still didn't remember anything else. I had hoped he would at least have remembered hearing steps, it's usually quiet that early in the morning and he was attacked on a paved path. But no, nothing. It made me wonder if his injury wasn't more serious than they had told me at the hospital.

But all I could do for now was to feed the details of the camera into the computer. I didn't really hope to find it any time soon, if at all.

The colleagues I had sent on the door to door had reported back by then. Not many people lived close by and of those not one had heard or seen anything - too early, they had all been in bed.

There is no CCTV footage of the area either as it is just on the verge of town. So I was stuck with a victim short a camera. A victim who had heard and seen nothing of his attacker. What should I make of that? It didn't look very promising. Talented Sergeant or not. Good luck trying to solve crime without any evidence or clues.

***

"Ah, but you said you did close the case," Gail interrupts me.

I scowl at her. "Do you have to destroy the bit of drama I try to jot in straight away?"

She giggles. "Sorry, Ben."