Holly’s grin evaporated. Scowling, she read the card, one of two hundred Robin had had printed for £4.50.

Hardacre and Hall

PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

Venetia Hall

Senior Partner

Tel: 0888 789654

Fax: 0888 465877 Email: venetia@h&hlegal.co.uk

“I’m looking for your brother Noel,” said Robin. “We—”

“’Ow did thoo know A was ’ere?”

In her mistrust she seemed to be swelling, bristling like a cat.

“A neighbor said you might be.”

Holly’s blue-overalled companions smirked.

“We might have some good news for your brother,” Robin plowed on bravely. “We’re trying to find him.”

“A dunno where ’e is and A don’ care.”

Two of the workmen slid away from the bar towards a table, leaving only one behind, who smiled faintly as he observed Robin’s discomfiture. Holly drained her pint, slid a fiver sideways at the remaining man and told him to get her another, clambered off her bar stool and strode away towards the Ladies, her arms held stiffly like a man’s.

“’Er boyo an’ ’er don’ speak,” said the barmaid, who had drifted up the bar to eavesdrop. She seemed to feel vaguely sorry for Robin.

“I don’t suppose you know where Noel is?” Robin asked, feeling desperate.

“’E’s not been in ’ere for a year or more,” said the barmaid vaguely. “You know where ’e is, Kev?”

Holly’s friend answered only with a shrug and ordered Holly’s pint. His accent revealed him to be Glaswegian.

“Well, it’s a pity,” said Robin, and her clear, cool voice did not betray the frantic pounding of her heart. She dreaded going back to Strike with nothing. “There could be a big payout for the family, if only I can find him.”

She turned to go.

“For the family, or for him?” asked the Glaswegian sharply.

“It depends,” said Robin coolly, turning back. She did not imagine that Venetia Hall would be particularly chummy with people unconnected to the case she was building. “If family members have had to take on a carer role—but I’d need details to judge. Some relatives,” lied Robin, “have had very significant compensation.”

Holly was coming back. Her expression turned thunderous when she saw Robin talking to Kevin. Robin walked off to the Ladies herself, her heart pounding in her chest, wondering whether the lie she had just told would bear fruit. By the look on Holly’s face as they passed each other, Robin thought there was an outside chance that she might be cornered by the sinks and beaten up.

However, when she came out of the bathroom she saw Holly and Kevin nose to nose at the bar. Robin knew not to push any harder: either Holly bit, or she did not. She tied her coat belt more tightly and walked, unhurriedly but purposefully, back past them towards the door.

“Oi!”

“Yes?” Robin said, still a little coolly, because Holly had been rude and Venetia Hall was used to a certain level of respect.

“Orlrigh’, wha’s it all abou’?”

Though Kevin seemed keen to participate in their conversation, his relationship with Holly was apparently not far enough advanced to permit listening in on private financial matters. He drifted away to a fruit machine looking disgruntled.