With the barked command some of Gabriel’s pliant nature vanished. ‘You don’t have to do that, Officer,’ he said. ‘I’m giving myself up. I’m sorry for running but I got scared stuck in that room like I was trapped. Like in the shed again. I couldn’t deal with it so I had to get out, get some space.’

‘I said, get down, Gabriel.’

‘I only wanted out—’

With his suspect refusing to obey, Chandler had no choice but to twist the man’s wrist and force him to his knees. Gabriel yelped and tried to pull away but his knees gave up and he sunk to the concrete. Grabbing the cuffs, his heart pounding, his hands slathered in sweat, Chandler struggled to open the ratchet before finally slipping them securely around Gabriel’s wrists. Only now did he allow himself to relax a little, pocketing his weapon and yanking his captive to his feet.

‘You don’t have to do this—’ Gabriel hissed in pain.

‘You’ve already escaped once.’

Gabriel fell silent.

‘Where did you go after the hotel?’ asked Chandler.

‘Okay, okay,’ said Gabriel. ‘I tried to steal a car but they were locked. I didn’t want to be on the street in case Heath made it into town too, so I just kinda sat in an alley. Dunno where . . . dunno how long. Then I overheard some people saying that they’d captured a guy called Heath. I was so relieved.’

‘Why didn’t you turn yourself in then?’

‘I was building up the courage.’

With Gabriel cuffed securely, Chandler aimed him towards the station. Where he might have expected a fanfare there was nothing but an empty grey street.

‘And you have the courage now?’

‘I don’t want him getting out to murder again. I couldn’t forgive myself if he got free just because I panicked. I want to be a Good Samaritan. So you don’t need the cuffs.’

‘I do,’ said Chandler, reaching the doors of the station. He decided to test the return of the self-proclaimed prodigal son. ‘You were right that we have Heath. But he’s telling exactly the same story you are.’

‘What story?’ said Gabriel, trying to pull away from Chandler.

‘The exact same one you told.’

‘Then that’s good, isn’t it?’ said Gabriel, looking hopeful. ‘It backs up what I said.’

‘No, Mr Johnson, it’s the exact same story. But implicating you as the killer.’

His charge resisted further. Chandler gripped Gabriel’s wrists tighter.

‘That’s a lie. You don’t believe him, do you? Is he still locked up? You haven’t let him go, have you?’ cried Gabriel, glancing towards the doors. ‘I told you the truth. To lie is a sin, Sergeant. That’s how I was brought up.’

‘I can assure you he’s locked up. You’re safe.’

Gabriel stared at him, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.