Dr Das smiled slightly. ‘You seem to have a personal interest here.’

Nick shrugged. ‘I’ve seen his record, I like the sound of him – it’s as simple as that. He fought a good war, Dr Das. I’m still old-fashioned enough to think that should count for something. Isn’t there anything you can do for him – anything concrete?’

The Indian nodded. ‘There is a new method which a colleague of mine in London has enjoyed remarkable success with during the past year. It involves the use of apomorphine and the actual withdrawal of drugs from the patient over a period of some months.’

‘And it really works?’

‘With co-operation from the patient. Apomorphine is morphine minus a molecule of water. Injected into the patient, it cuts his craving for the drug and prevents the withdrawal symptoms usually associated with any attempt to cut down the daily intake. These can be extremely unpleasant.’

‘Have you mentioned this to Lazer yet?’

‘I was going to tonight, but he didn’t turn up for evening surgery.’

‘Isn’t it possible that he would come outside surgery hours if his need was urgent enough?’

Das shook his head. ‘He’d be wasting his time. My first rule is that I never give prescriptions for drugs outside surgery hours. This may seem harsh to you, but I assure you that firmness and an insistence on some sort of discipline are absolutely essential in handling this type of patient.’

‘So Lazer would have to wait till morning surgery and get through the night the best way he could?’

‘Highly unlikely.’ Das shook his head. ‘Unless I’m very much mistaken, he’ll make straight for the all-night chemist’s in City Square. There are certain to be one or two addicts having their prescriptions for the following day filled and they all know each other in a town of this size. Lazer will borrow or buy a few pills to tide him over till morning.’

‘You think I’ll find him there?’

‘I’m certain of it.’

‘I’d better be moving then. I don’t want to miss him.’

‘I should warn you of one thing,’ the Indian said as they moved back along the corridor to the front door. ‘After Lazer’s first injection, you will notice something of a change in him. Sometimes the subject becomes paranoic with a particular fear where the police are concerned. More often than not, his tongue will simply run away from him or he’ll have temporary aural or visual hallucinations. All quite harmless, but disturbing if you aren’t used to this sort of thing.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Nick held out his hand.

‘Any time I can help, Sergeant.’ The Indian’s grip was surprisingly strong. ‘Don’t hesitate to call.’

The door closed behind him and Nick went down the steps, got into the car quickly and drove away through the heavy rain.

8