Edward Marston - The iron horse

'Marcus Johnson was malevolent.'

'His half-sister realises that now. Miss Lavender thought him a lovable rogue but he was far more sinister than that. He also had a weird sense of humour. Do you remember the name on that hatbox?'

'Yes,' said Madeleine. 'It was Mr D Key, wasn't it?'

'Kitty Lavender told me why he chose it. In his younger days, her half-brother had a nickname. Because of his long face, prominent teeth and braying laugh, he was known as Donkey Johnson.'

'So D Key stood for Donkey.'

'When he put that severed head in the hatbox,' said Colbeck, 'he thought he was starting a process that would help Limerick Lad to win the Derby. It would turn Brian Dowd into an apparent victim and send us after his two deadly rivals. In short, an Irish horse would owe its success in the most famous race in the world to a donkey. That was Johnson's idea of a joke. When I pointed that out to Mr Tallis,' he went on, 'he was far from amused.'

'Is he going to pay your expenses now?'

'Yes – he finally agreed that my visit to Dublin was necessary.'

'He must be thrilled with what happened today,' she said. 'You solved the murder and made two arrests. Superintendent Tallis ought to be eternally grateful to you and Sergeant Leeming.'

'He will be when he finishes wrestling with a personal problem.'

'Personal problem?'

'Mr Tallis thinks that Derby Day is an abomination. But Victor was right next to him when the race was run and the superintendent cheered as loud as anyone. He's lapsed into a period of repentance now,' said Colbeck. 'He can't forgive himself for having enjoyed the occasion.' He slipped an arm around her. 'I hope that you feel no guilt at having had so much pleasure at Epsom.'

'It was an unforgettable experience, Robert.'

'I was afraid that you might be bored,' he teased.

'Bored?' she repeated. 'How could anyone be bored? The Derby was the most exciting thing I've ever seen in my whole life.'

'Really?'

'I loved every second of it.'

'In that case,' he said, tightening his hold, 'you might want to come with me to Epsom again next year.'

'Yes, please,' said Madeleine, laughing with delight.

'That's settled, then.'

'Thank you, Robert.'

He pulled her close. 'Though I'm sure that we can find some other excitements for you in the interim,' he said fondly. 'Twelve whole months of them.'