He flipped her the bird and then grabbed his seat as the van doors slammed behind Smiffy and his crew, and the driver made a hasty U-turn to drop off the remaining officers without driving past the perp’s house. When the van stopped again, Rosie jumped out first, gauging the progress of the TAU and bagging a prime spot from where she could watch the action and head off any potential troublemakers. Their presence was instantly noted by a group of uniformed teens toting rucksacks and cans of energy drinks. The lads crowded forward en masse, prompting Rosie to unbuckle her baton.

“That’s as far as you go,” she said.

The tallest of them—acne-riddled and stinking of weed—placed a deliberate boot over her imaginary line. “Free country, innit?” he said.

“It will be in approximately…” she checked her watch. There was no set timetable for the arrest, but it made her look official. “…ten minutes. Until then, you don’t come past this point.”

He took another step, egged on by three sniggering mates, two of whom had their mobiles out.

“You’re being recorded,” she said.

“Yeah, I know.” He grinned and gave a little wave to the phones.

She tapped the camera on her vest. “This one’s admissible in court, pal.”

He shrugged, but the gesture lacked his earlier bravado. “Be a load of shite anyway. Five-O arresting some poor fuck who’s done nowt wrong, as usual.” He shoved the smallest lad, causing him to stumble, and then glared at Rosie. “What? You gonna do me for assault?”

“Not today,” she said, her tone leaving him in no doubt as to what she saw in his future.

“Yeah, whatever. Fuck off,” he said, and led his posse back the way they’d come.

Kash watched them wander out of earshot. “I’m so glad my three are still nonverbal or at the ‘daddy, need go wee-wee’ stage,” he said, opening a packet of gum and offering one to Rosie.

She chuckled but then sobered as she heard the sound of boots pounding toward them. “Aye up. Here we go.”

Three houses down, the TAU lead hammered on the front door, his team poised around him. “Police! Open up!” he yelled, and Rosie saw a succession of nearby curtains start to twitch. The neighbour at number one came out in his dressing gown, his legs bare and a copy of the Daily Telegraph clutched beneath his arm.

“What on earth is going on?” he demanded.

“Sir, please go back inside,” Kash said.

“Is that Adrian’s house? Why are you at Adrian’s house?”

“Sir, please go back inside,” Kash repeated, emphasising his request by barricading the garden gate and unfastening his CS gas.

The TAU had charged into number five, their shouts of “Clear!” muffled by a woman yelling and the cries of children.

“Shit,” Rosie said. “He’s got kids.”