Alex looked her up and down, then, deciding she represented no threat, slipped the chain off the door and let it swing open. He stepped back and Lindsay entered his home. It was a large, square room, containing a three-quarter bed, a rather dilapidated wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a table with two kitchen chairs, and two old-fashioned armchairs. In one corner was a sink and a Baby Belling cooker. A gas fire on full was blasting out dry heat. The room was surprisingly clean, and the walls had been painted magnolia in an attempt to brighten the place up. There was a poster-sized photographic reproduction of a naked body-builder opposite the bed.

Warily, they eyed each other. He was wrapped in a sheet which did nothing to hide the fact that he was slim to the point of emaciation. Probably using speed, thought Lindsay as she caught a whiff of his rancid breath. But she could see his appeal for the men who frequented the meatracks. He was waiflike, with tousled blond hair and wide, hazel eyes. He had an air of corrupted innocence which Lindsay guessed would attract a man like Harry.

“What do you want, then?” he asked in a parody of aggression.

“My name’s Lindsay Gordon,” she said. “You’ve got something a friend of mine wants very badly.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” he replied so quickly it had to be an automatic reflex.

“We’re willing to pay you for it, Alex. Nobody’s trying to rip you off. Whatever deal you had lined up with Barry Ostler, I’ll make sure you don’t lose out,” Lindsay said.

“I still don’t know what you’re on about,” he said stubbornly.

“I think you do, Alex. How much did he pay you for Rosalind Campbell’s Scottish Office papers? Not much, I bet.”

He looked startled and flashed a glance at his rumpled bed. “You’ve got the wrong guy,” he stammered.

Lindsay shook her head. “No way. Look Alex, stop pussyfooting. There’s no problem. All I want is to arrange the purchase of certain items in your possession. You’re not going to get into trouble. Unless of course, we can’t come to some sort of arrangement. Then you are going to be in so much trouble your head won’t stop spinning for a week,” she added pleasantly.