Tom fixed O’Reilley with a direct stare for another full minute.

‘Right, Tony, here’s the deal. You’re going to go outside, quietly, let that young officer cuff you, and you’re going to have to go to the nick. There’s no alternative, fellah: there’s a warrant. If you play the big fight-and-roll-around game, then they’re just going to call all sorts of cavalry with tasers and CS gas. You’ll get hurt, and no doubt some of them will too, but you’ll still end up in the nick. The only difference will be that you’ll be facing all sorts of assault charges, and your six-month recall to Pentonville will end up as two years, pal.’ Tom spoke in almost mesmeric tones.

O’Reilley sighed and paused for a further full minute. ‘You always talked sense, Mr Novak. I guess you’re right; I can’t be arsed with another two years in the nick.’ His shoulders sagged a little before he hauled himself up and pulled his sweatshirt back on.

‘Come on, then. Let’s fuck off,’ he said, resignation in his voice.

They left the house together and O’Reilley walked up to the young constable, his arms held out passively in front of him.

‘Sorry, officer. I can be a bit of a dick sometimes.’

The young, quaking officer snapped handcuffs on O’Reilley, only just managing to encircle them round his thick wrists. O’Reilley then meekly clambered into the rear of the police Astra, the officer joining him in the back before formally arresting and cautioning him.

‘Cheers, Tom,’ said Dale. ‘You ever considered a career as a lion tamer, or hypnotist?’

Tom laughed. ‘He’ll be fine now. You okay if I bugger off? I’m on my way home.’

‘Yeah, no bother mate. Meet for a pint next week?’

Tom nodded with a smile, got back into his own car, and drove off.

In the police Astra, the probationary officer turned to his superior. ‘Jesus, Sarge, who was that and how did he manage what I just saw?’

His supervisor grinned. ‘Son, DS Tom Novak could talk anyone down. He’s apparently a hard man but no one’s ever seen him in action; he always talks people into the car with a smile. He’s a really cold fish, though. I could never work him out.’ They carried on to Kentish Town Station, with O’Reilley silent in the rear.

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