He faked a wicked leer. “I always said you’d never be able to resist my animal magnetism. Did you finally ditch the wimp, then?”

I didn’t take offense. He affectionately calls Richard “the wimp” to his face. Richard returns the compliment by calling Dennis Neanderthal Man, and Dennis pretends not to understand what it means. They’re all big kids, men. And just like kids, they’re ruled by their appetites. Like Jett with Tamar.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Dennis, but it’s just your muscle I’m after.”

He pretended to be devastated by the news, clapping his hand to his forehead and saying, “How can I face tomorrow, Kate?” Then he became serious. “Is this going to take a while?”

“Couple of hours at the most.”

“Let me take Christine home, and I’ll meet you in half an hour at your place. OK?”

Dennis was true to his word. Exactly half an hour later, my doorbell rang. I had the kettle boiled in readiness. He likes to stay in shape, does Dennis. He seldom drinks alcohol, never touches drugs, and runs six miles every morning, rain or shine. His only vice, apart from burglary and GBH, is cigarettes. I greeted him with a cup of sweet milky coffee, placed an ashtray by his feet and settled down with my vodka and grapefruit.

“Schneids,” I announced.

“I told you all I could about the Smarts,” he said, wagging a finger at me. He was right. He’d given me a head start in my inquiries. He’s a great source, is Dennis, as long as the people I’m after have no connection to his friends or family. Well, those of his extended family that he’s on speaking terms with at any given time. And sometimes, he spontaneously brings me little gems if he owes someone a bad turn. His moral code is stricter than that of a Jesuit priest, and not a lot easier to figure out.

“It’s not the Smarts I’m interested in right now, I don’t think. It’s a guy in Bradford called Fat Freddy. Mean anything to you?”

Dennis frowned. “I think I’ve heard the name, but I can’t put a face to it. He’s not connected locally.”

“He’s in the schneid merchandising area—T-shirts, pirate cassettes. Anyway, there’s a tie-in to another case I’m working. What I’m trying to get at is why someone who’s legitimately involved in the merchandising business would have anything to do with a schneid merchant.”