‘Yes, he did, but actually I thought he handled things rather well. Hardly anyone died. There was no deadly crossfire as two sides were forced, unwillingly, to confront each other. No one found themselves in a position from which they couldn’t extricate themselves even if they wanted to – and he’s right. After today I’m betting a lot of people will want to extricate themselves. And best of all – I wasn’t forced to take action everyone might have regretted. So yes – it could have been a lot worse.’

‘But, in effect, you’ve promoted him, ma’am.’

‘I might be doing him an injustice. He might only be sitting on the fence, but I don’t want to push him the wrong way. Treat an ally as an enemy and you soon have another enemy. Let’s see what happens, shall we?’

‘As you wish, ma’am.’

‘Who’s next?’

‘Lt Grint.’

‘Is everything set up?’

‘It is. Loaded and ready.’

‘Then send him in, please.’

Like Major Callen, Lt Grint preferred to stand. The phrase a monument of misery crossed the commander’s mind.

Very carefully, she said, ‘It wasn’t you who shot at Major Ellis, was it?’

He shook his head.

‘You see, I know that because I know you. I know all my officers. I know Lockland didn’t kill Smith and I know you didn’t try to kill Ellis or the others. You tried to prevent it, Lieutenant. Someone had a plan – to kill Ellis first because he was armed, and then take down Lockland, Parrish and everyone else there. Thanks to you, it went badly wrong. A great many people owe you their lives.’

He said nothing.

She regarded him thoughtfully for a few seconds and then walked around her desk to join him, saying in quite a different tone of voice, ‘Why didn’t you come and talk to me, Gordon?’

He blinked.

‘I think it’s apparent to both of us that you’ve been unhappy here for quite some time. Why didn’t you come and talk to me about it? We could, perhaps, have saved ourselves a great deal of trouble if you’d brought your misgivings to me instead of joining those who conspire in corridors and dark corners.’

Without looking at her, he nodded.

She said sadly, ‘Am I so very unapproachable?’

Still without looking at her, he shook his head.

‘So, come and sit down.’

Awkwardly, he sat. As he did so, he took something very small from his pocket and held it tightly in his hand.

‘What’s the problem, Gordon?’