As they headed out of Falmouth, Strike's mood turned to cheerfulness, which Robin attributed mainly to the interest of a possible new case.  She'd never yet known an intriguing problem to fail to engage his attention, no matter what might be happening in his private life.

She was partially right: Strike's interest had certainly been piqued by Anna's story, but he was mainly cheered by the prospect of keeping weight off his prosthesis for a few hours, and by the knowledge that every passing minute put further distance between himself and his sister.  Opening the car window, allowing the familiar sea air to rush bracingly inside the old car, he lit a cigarette and, blowing smoke away from Robin, asked,

"Seen much of Morris while I've been away?"

"Saw him yesterday," said Robin.  "Paid him for his month's expenses."

"Ah, great, cheers," said Strike, "I meant to remind you that needed doing.  What d'you think of him?  Barclay says he's good at the job, except he talks too much in the car."

"Yeah," said Robin noncommittally, "he does like to talk."

"Hutchins thinks he's a bit smarmy," said Strike, subtly probing.

He'd noticed the special tone Morris reserved for Robin.  Hutchins had also reported that Morris had asked him what Robin's relationship status was.

"Mm," said Robin, "well, I haven't really had enough contact with him to form an opinion."

Given Strike's current stress levels and the amount of work the agency was struggling to cover, she'd decided not to criticize his most recent hire.  They needed an extra man.  At least Morris was good at the job.

"Pat likes him," she added, partly out of mischief, and was amused to see, out of the corner of her eye, Strike turn to look at her, scowling.

"That's no bloody recommendation."

"Unkind," said Robin.

"You realize in a week's time it's going to be harder to sack her?  Her probation period's nearly up."

"I don't want to sack her," said Robin.  "I think she's great."

"Well, then, on your head be it if she causes trouble down the line."

"It won't be on my head," said Robin.  "You're not pinning Pat on me.  Hiring her was a joint decision.  You were the one who was sick of temps -"

"And you were the one who said 'it might not be a bad idea to get a more traditional manager in' and 'we shouldn't discount her because of her age' -"

"- I know what I said, and I stand by the age thing.  We do need someone who understands a spreadsheet, who's organized, but you were the one who -"

"- I didn't want you accusing me of ageism."

"- you were the one who offered her the job," Robin finished firmly.

"Dunno what I was bloody thinking," muttered Strike, flicking ash out of the window.