When Connon got back from the Rugby Club, his wife was even more uncommunicative than usual. The remains of the tea were in the kitchen, while she slumped in an armchair watching some variety show on TV.

Connon had taken a nasty knock in the match. He went upstairs and passed out on the bed. Five hours later the TV was still on - and Connon noticed that the front of his wife’s head had been caved in.

Mary Connon had been an attractive woman in her day. Superintendent Andrew Dalziel knew exactly what went on down at the clubhouse. But Sergeant Peter Pascoe had a few ideas of his own …