Bloom took hold of Jameson’s arm. ‘Come on. Let’s go. We’ve got more important things to do.’

‘More important than getting the truth out of this piece of shit?’

‘Sir, I am going to have to ask you to calm down.’ The policeman blocked Jameson’s access to Rose-Butler with his body.

‘Am I able to go back to work now, Officer? I have clients waiting in chambers.’ Rose-Butler adjusted his suit jacket.

‘Let’s go,’ insisted Bloom. ‘This won’t get us anywhere good.’

Jameson met his partner’s eyes and the red mist gave way to logic. Stuart hadn’t been at the doorway to Browns by accident. They were up to something. And he was playing right into their hands.

‘Fine,’ he said. ‘My apologies, Officer.’ He held his hands up in a show of restraint as the policeman warned him about keeping his temper, then let Bloom lead him away.

In the lobby of the Malmaison Hotel, Jameson sat in a plush armchair trying to steady his breathing. A headache radiated from the injury at the back of his skull.

‘You requested some water, Sir?’ A barmaid in a smart black shirt placed a glass in front of him.

‘Cheers.’ He took a large gulp. Bloom was heading back to her mother’s house. There were some files in the loft she wanted to consult. He was waiting to view the hotel’s CCTV footage. DS Green had been rather persuasive, but the manager had insisted that a local officer should attend too. A few minutes later a young – rather attractive – police officer joined him in reception and introduced herself as PC Hussain. She had a clear remit from her boss’s boss’s boss to gain access to the hotel’s CCTV for Jameson. Soon they were both sitting in the manager’s office watching the morning’s footage alongside the Head of Security, who was a slick-haired muscular man, no doubt ex-military.

‘There’s Rose-Butler.’ Jameson watched as Stuart took his seat in reception and removed a small laptop from his briefcase. The security man fast-forwarded the image. ‘OK. Stop. There’s Sarah and me coming in.’ Jameson watched himself walk across the lobby with his hand on the small of Sarah’s back. As they waited for the lift she looked up at him and smiled, as he ran his fingers slowly up and down her spine. He remembered her smile and closed his eyes. Why hadn’t he been paying more attention? Why hadn’t he seen Rose-Butler then?

He knew why, of course, but it was no excuse.

The Head of Security fast-forwarded the footage again. Rose-Butler didn’t move and no one joined him. Jameson watched himself retrace his steps across the lobby. Rose-Butler had looked up and brazenly met his eye. Had he wanted Jameson to recognize him? Expected him to?