‘Like juggling mud. Been dragging people out their beds all night – thanks for that, by the way, always nice to be sworn and spat at for a whole shift. Really boosted my morale.’

‘So what you’re saying is: you didn’t get anywhere.’

‘That’s not fair! Not my fault the gang haven’t tried shifting the stuff yet, is it? Maybe they’ve taken it down south, maybe they’re stashing it for a couple of years, or shipping it overseas. How am I supposed to deal with that? ’ Moan, whinge, complain, grumble, whine. On and on and on.

He stuck his phone on the bedside cabinet, let Rennie enjoy his wee petulant moment while he laced up his shoes.

When he picked up the phone again, Rennie was still going.

‘. . .never get any credit. And how come I’m always on nights? It’s not—’

‘Much though I’d love to sit here and listen to you bitch the day away, I’ve got work to get to, so—’

A knock on the caravan’s door, loud and insistent.

‘God’s sake. . .’ Logan put a hand over the mouthpiece. ‘JUST A MINUTE!’ Then back to the phone, marching out of the bedroom and across the hall to the front door. ‘Get on to the lab – I want those forensics chased. And don’t let them give you any crap about “three to six weeks”. Tuesday, by the latest.’

‘Would you like a magic flying unicorn while I’m at it? ’

‘No, but I’ll take an egg buttie – on my desk for quarter past seven. And a tea.’ Logan turned the key in the lock. Swung the door open. ‘And don’t think you’re—’

Something exploded in his face, hard, driving pepper and bees through his nose, making the edges of the world scream with yellow fog as he crashed back onto the carpet. Thunk – his head bounced off the plasterboard. One knee caught the edge of the doorframe. ‘Nnnghn. . .’

Everything tasted of hot copper wire.

Something wet on his face.

Blink.

‘Gagh. . .’ Tiny scarlet drops burst out of his mouth, then pattered down onto his cheeks and forehead.

Get up. GET UP NOW.

Ow. . . Fire burned through his head, radiating out from his nose. Screaming at him. Making his ears ring.

A huge bulk blotted out the sunshine streaming in through the door: Reuben. Not in the suit and tie any more. He was wearing a pair of blue overalls, the cuffs frayed and stained dark with oil and dirt, the knees too. A pair of heavy boots on his feet, the leather scuffed away in patches, metal toecaps glistening within.

Oh. Shit.

Logan scrabbled back against the wall.