Getting up, Limmington helped her into a chair and then opened the window behind him. He sat down and gave his most encouraging smile, hoping her story was not a long one.

Her voice when it came was phlegmy from years of smoking Capstan and drinking neat alcohol. She smiled hazily and Limmington found it was getting very difficult to keep his own smile tacked into place.

‘I’m after a bit of money, Mr Limmington, and a friend of mine told me you might be the man to provide it.’

‘With respect, Miss Thompkins, why should I provide you with any funds?’ His voice came out harsher than he’d meant it to, but he wasn’t in the mood for this.

Eyes blinking overtime now, she said, ‘Because, mate, I can finger Briony Cavanagh on two murders committed many years ago. You see, as a girl I worked for Miss Cavanagh as a tweenie in her house in Hyde Park. Well, I was young, but I was much shrewder than they ever dreamt. Maybe you’ve heard of Willy Bolger? He was a pimp, and he cut and killed one of Briony’s girls, Ginelle. Her and Tommy Lane caused him to top himself and on the same night they took out Ronnie Olds. I knew everything that went on. Kids do. I also know that Briony Cavanagh has a child by a Mr Henry Dumas. The kid’s nurse was a friend of mine. Sally and me still keep in touch. So you see, I can tell you an awful lot, Mr Limmington.’

He was finding it hard to contain his excitement. ‘How do you know she murdered anyone?’

Heidi grinned. ‘Because I made it my business to find out. I saw Ginelle’s body in the crate the night it was delivered to us. She was well messed up. Briony said in front of me, “Bolger’s dead.” Later he was supposed to have shot himself, but I don’t think he did, do you?

‘Then there was a lot of talk about Olds. Her and Tommy took over as Barons in the East End for a while after his murder. They went to Victoria Park and topped him there. I’ll stand up in court and say the lot.’

‘You will?’

Heidi’s eyes began their strange dance once more before she said: ‘For a price. In fact, I’ll say I saw the lot, Mr Limmington. I’ll say whatever you want me to say. Because let’s face it, they have an answer for everything. And sometimes, to catch a thief, you have to be one yourself.’