She produced it from beneath the counter without a flicker and he opened it. The last signatures half-way down a page were two days old – the Indians she had mentioned. If the book was any guide, she was certainly telling the truth.

‘Satisfied, Sergeant?’ she said brightly.

Nick smiled and closed the register. ‘Sorry you’ve been troubled. Must be some other hotel.’

Lazer had said nothing throughout the interview, but when they got outside into the street, he grabbed Nick by the sleeve. ‘The Regent Hotel, Gloyne Street. That’s what the man said, General.’

‘I know, I know,’ Nick said. ‘She’s lying. It stuck out a mile. Give it a couple of minutes and we’ll go back in.’

He lit a cigarette and stood there on the bottom step just inside the porch, staring into the rain, feeling suddenly tired. He hadn’t got his second wind yet, that was the trouble. He flicked the cigarette through the darkness in a gleaming curve, nodded to Lazer and pushed the glass door open softly.

The foyer was deserted again, but the office door stood ajar. He moved forward quietly and gently raised the flap of the reception desk.

The Irish girl was standing at the office desk, a handbag open in front of her. She took a wad of notes from it quickly, put one foot on a chair, slid back her skirt and pushed the notes into her stocking top.

Lazer clapped his hands together gently. ‘Now that’s what I really call a show.’

The Irish girl swung round, straightening her skirt, alarm on her face. For a moment, she seemed shaken and uncertain and then obviously decided to brazen it out.

‘Hey, is that nice, sneaking up on a girl like that?’

‘Oh, we didn’t think you’d mind.’ Nick took her hands. ‘What’s your name, sweetheart?’

‘Aren’t you the one?’ As he pushed her back against the desk, she put her arms around his neck. ‘And what would the Chief Constable say to this, I wonder?’

‘He likes us to have our fun. After all, that’s what keeps us going.’

He leaned down to kiss her and at the same moment, slid his right hand quickly up a warm leg. She started to struggle, but he found what he was looking for and grinned as he held up the wad of notes.

‘Give me that, damn you,’ she said, striking out at him, trying to grab his hand. ‘What in the hell do you think you’re playing at?’

He shoved her away and counted the money quickly. ‘Twenty quid and all in oncers.’ He shook his head. ‘You’ve never had this much together at any one time in your life before.’

‘You give me my money,’ she spat, tears of rage in her eyes.