I thought about that, and about Hanna. The police uphold the laws, which means upholding the status quo. Those who want to break the mould of things as they are and shape what they perceive to be a better world tend to come into conflict with the police and regard them as enemies. The police, naturally enough, resent being called fascist pigs and there is an instant polarisation. I suppose in the event of civil disturbance in Moscow, the police engaged in defending the Communist status quo would also be called fascist pigs. A funny thought.

I said, ‘What about McKittrick?’

‘He was with Salton and the Campanillan Liberal Party. But he fell out with Salton and joined the PP at about the same time as Hawke. He and Hawke don’t get on too well: McKittrick thinks he’s too much of a wild man, while Hawke regards McKittrick as soft.’

‘And Conyers?’

Hanna smiled. ‘Conyers leads a conservative government – the businessmen’s party. The corporate interests would much rather deal with him than with the Liberals.’ He shrugged. ‘What did Joe Hawke really want?’

‘It’s a funny thing about Joe,’ I said. ‘I’ve come under pressure from some people suggesting I leave. One of them was pretty insistent about it. But you know what? I do believe Joe Hawke wants me to stay. How do you account for that?’

‘Because you mean trouble,’ said Hanna. ‘And he thrives on it. Those people on the streets this morning were the Liberals. They think Salton was murdered and they want to pin it on someone – preferably Conyers. Hawke doesn’t mind that at all.’ He scratched the side of his jaw. ‘At the same time, now that Salton’s dead, Conyers will win the election – and that’ll suit Joe Hawke too. He’d much rather there was a right-wing government to have a go at.’

‘Doesn’t his own party have a chance?’

‘Not a hope. Despite the name, there’s not enough popular support. There might be, though, given a few more years of Conyers. The opposition will have to come from somewhere – the Liberal Party’s a spent force without Salton.’

There was a sudden burst of laughter and cheering from the Conyers table and Hanna glanced across at them. Then he downed the last of his beer and gave me a meaningful look. ‘Policemen aren’t supposed to talk politics, and I haven’t been talking politics. Peace-keeping is my job and, as a realist, I’ve been assessing the situation. You understand what I mean?’

‘I understand.’ I felt better about Hanna. ‘Roker threatened me with deportation. Does he have that much pull?’

‘Oh, sure. You’re an embarrassment to the government.’

‘And how do you feel about that?’

‘What I said this morning still stands. I’m conducting an investigation into murder, and you’re to hold yourself available for further questioning.’

‘In spite of what Commissioner Barstow may say?’