Logan took a look in the rearview mirror. Frankie stood right up against the fence of the play area, watching the car through the metal railings. They locked eyes for a moment, then a bend in the road broke the connection.

“You shouldn't have been there,” Logan muttered.

“Boss?”

“You should’ve been on that bloody train like I told you to.”

“What, and leave you to deal with that on your own? No chance, boss.”

“I’d have been better off on my own!” Logan snapped. “I wouldn’t have had you to worry about.”

Tyler flinched like he’d been physically struck. “No need to worry about me. I’m fine, boss.”

“I need to make a phone call,” Logan muttered. “But I’m taking you to the hotel first.”

“What? But—”

The DCI shot him a dangerous look. “No arguments, Tyler.”

Tyler almost snapped back at him, but saw sense just in the nick of time. Going toe to toe with the DCI was never a good idea, especially when tempers were raised.

“It was rough, boss, aye,” he said. “But you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Aye? And what would I have told Sinead, eh? If you’d been stabbed, or had your bloody head stamped on, and wound up in hospital? Or worse? How do you think she’d have taken it?”

Tyler had no answer for that. Or rather, he did, but it wasn’t one that would help his case. He sat in silence, watching the city growing denser around them as they headed back towards the centre.

“I know you want to help, son,” Logan said, his voice losing some of its edge. “I get it. I do. But enough’s enough, eh? Time to step back, and leave this one to the rest of us. You’ve got yourself and your family to think about.”

Tyler dragged his silence out for a while longer, then conceded with a shrug. “Suppose.”

“You’ll be back fighting fit in no time,” Logan assured him. “I’m quietly confident this won’t be the last murder case we’re given to deal with. There’ll be plenty of chances to make a difference.”

“Yeah. Suppose that’s true,” Tyler said. He blew out his cheeks, nodded his head, and subtly touched his troublesome testicle. “Fair enough then, boss. Drop me back at the hotel. Hopefully, they’ll have restocked the minibar.”

“I’m sure they have,” Logan told him. “There’s just one problem, son.”

Tyler turned to him. “What now?”

Logan’s mouth became a thin, tight line. “The bastards in admin have changed our hotel.”

“Aye? Don’t suppose they’re putting us somewhere even nicer?” he asked, then he nodded at the look he received in response. “No, thought not. Still, just for one night, I suppose. For me, anyway. You reckon you’ll be down here long?”