‘DI Clarke,’ Clarke introduced herself as she passed him.

‘DC Esson,’ Esson added.

He nodded, then gestured down the hallway. ‘Left at the end,’ he said.

They entered an airless interview room, their host having the good grace to leave the door open once they were all inside. He indicated the chairs either side of the table.

‘We’re fine standing,’ Clarke said. He shrugged and rested his backside against the table. ‘I didn’t catch your name.’

The day’s paper was on the table. The officer twisted his body, making show of skimming it, then he picked it up and held it in front of him. The headline was OUR LAWLESS CAPITAL.

‘“Feral youths control unpoliced streets”,’ he recited from memory. ‘That’s why this place is empty. It’s why we’re running on empty. Nobody’s afraid of us any more, not the way they used to be. How do you think that makes us feel when we’re out there?’ He jabbed a finger towards the outside world.

‘Is this what’s known as getting your retaliation in first?’

‘Just giving you a bit of background, DI Clarke.’ He dropped the newspaper. ‘My name’s Rob Driscoll. I’m a mate of Francis’s.’

‘Then maybe you’ll know where we can find him.’

‘I heard you’d let the dogs loose. He went to talk to Cheryl, didn’t he?’

‘I didn’t think that was public knowledge.’

‘It’s public knowledge that uniforms have been wasting their time making detours to Constitution Street since last night.’

‘So you know where he lives.’

‘Like I said, we’re mates.’

‘When did you last speak?’

‘Few days back.’

‘In person?’

‘Phone.’ Driscoll pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He was either exhausted or doing a passable impression.

‘Did it affect your friendship?’ Esson asked. ‘When you found out he’d been battering his wife, I mean?’

‘All I know is, he’s absolutely nuts about her.’

‘Funny way of showing it, wouldn’t you say?’

‘I’m not here to defend what he did, but there’s give and take in that relationship. Cheryl can get fired up, too.’

‘So the bruises, the bloody nose – they just go with the territory?’

‘Like I say, I’m not defending him.’

‘I’m hearing different, Rob.’ Clarke folded her arms. ‘Has he said anything to you about what he did to Cheryl?’

‘Not really. I don’t think he felt proud of it, though.’

‘Be a bit odd if he did.’

‘Pressure’s been getting to him – not that that puts him in a minority.’

‘He ever mention his proposed defence?’

Driscoll shook his head. ‘But that hasn’t stopped word getting round.’

‘So you know he’s going to drop you all in it?’