“I’m going to shoot you both in the head,” Novak said, hunkering down between them so he could talk right into their ears. “Again. Then, while your brains are busy unscrambling, we’re going to cut up your bodies into little tiny pieces, and bury each part in concrete. We may not be able to kill you – not really – but we can certainly ensure that you never pose a threat to our town – or any other town – ever again.”

Novak stood up and Jesper gave the nod, and Novak shot the bigger guy in the temple. Despite herself, Amber flinched at the gunshot.

As the killer slumped sideways, the other one tried to get up, but Novak shot him in the back of the skull before he’d straightened his legs. He fell face down, dark blood leaking from the smoking hole in his mask.

“I’ll get this cleaned up,” said Novak.

“See that you do,” Jesper responded. “What about the boy?”

Novak hesitated. “Still on the run.”

Jesper didn’t say anything.

“Mr Mayor,” said Novak, “I accept full responsibility for the mistakes that have been made over the last few days. My officers were just carrying out my orders.”

“How hard is it to hand over two people in handcuffs?”

“I’m sorry, sir. If there’s anything I can do to make up for my errors of judgement—”

“Errors of judgement?” Jesper echoed. “This goes a little beyond errors of judgement, Chief Novak. I gave you an order.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That you disobeyed.”

“I … well, sir, I wouldn’t say I—”

“Did you hand them over to the Hounds or did you let them run?”

“I let them run, sir.”

“Then you disobeyed my orders.”

“Yes, Mr Mayor.”

“And you failed to ensure that those kids in the van left town. What is happening to you, Chief? You never used to make mistakes like this.”

“Sir, if there is anything I can do …”

“There is, actually,” said Jesper. “We need a substitute sacrifice in the next few hours.”

“Sir?”

“Go out and get one.”

Novak paled.

“You have a problem with that, Chief?”

“I … sir, what you’re asking me to do is …”

“Is what it takes,” finished Jesper. “You’re willing to do what it takes, aren’t you?”

Novak was quiet for a moment. “Yes, Mr Mayor.”

Jesper let the seconds drag by, then he turned and walked out of Amber’s line of sight. “Never mind. The Narrow Man has assured me that he will take care of it.” Novak’s shoulders slumped with relief. “Get this cleaned up and then get back on the streets. Hell Night starts on schedule.”

“Yes, Mr Mayor. Thank you.”

Jesper walked away, and Novak took hold of the masked killer’s ankles and started dragging him backwards.