“Mind your own fucking business, pig,” Jett yelled back at him. Jackson flushed dark scarlet and opened his mouth to retaliate.

“If we could all stop shouting at each other, I’ll happily explain,” I interjected forcefully.

“I’m all ears,” Jackson snarled. “It better be good. I can feel an overwhelming desire to charge someone with wasting police time.” I was impressed, I have to admit it. It made me wonder just how much of his routine bloody-mindedness was an act too.

“I know that you’ve charged Kevin with attempted murder after what he did last night, but there are still a few loose ends to be tied up. I asked you to come because I didn’t want you to turn round and say things were being done behind your back.” I turned to Jett. “I know you didn’t want him here, but things have gone too far to be kept in the family. I’m sure you don’t want Moira’s killer to get away with it just because you left it all to me and I couldn’t deliver.”

Jackson was shaking his head in disbelief. “You are unreal, Brannigan. I should nick you right now for this grandstanding.”

“Give me half an hour, Inspector. Then you can throw the book at me if you’re still so minded.”

Jackson muttered something under his breath that I didn’t catch. I don’t think I was supposed to. He moved across the room to stare at an undistinguished oil landscape on the far wall.

Jett drained his glass and handed it to the hovering Gloria, who bustled over to the drinks. She threw a quick glance back at Jett as if to gauge what strength he needed, then poured. I noticed it was almost as large a measure as he’d poured for himself. Maybe I’d been underestimating Gloria.

The awkward silence was broken by Tamar and Micky, who entered together just on ten to five. Tamar ignored me and headed straight for Jett, who gave her a perfunctory kiss and steered her towards the sofa.

Micky moved to my side and touched my elbow. Through the cloud of cigarette smoke, I could see the worried look on his face. “When are they going to let Kevin out on bail?” he murmured.

“I doubt if they will. He’s already facing one serious charge, and there’s a possibility he’ll be on a murder charge by morning,” I explained softly.

He shook his head. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time. We’re at a crucial stage with the album. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”