‘While our boy is sneakily moved to his private facility?’

‘Absolutely. He’ll go under a pseudonym, into a carefully designated private room.’ Joseph smiled. ‘Langley’s used to rich people needing to maintain their privacy; you know, celebrities, politicians etcetera.’

‘That is perfect!’ Her elation suddenly cooled. ‘But there’s something I have to tell you before we go on. Mickey’s friend Marcus? He’s dead. And I don’t think the lad should be told, do you?’

‘Damn it! No, I certainly don’t.’ Joseph’s face creased into worry lines. ‘There’s only so much a kid can take on board without lasting damage.’

Nikki quickly explained what had happened the night before in Carson Villas.

Joseph’s expression softened when she told him about Marcus’s death. ‘Tough on you, ma’am. All things considered.’

‘A lot tougher on Marcus and his family, Sergeant.’ She threw him a weak smile. ‘And I was fine, thank you. Different situation, different altogether. It was just another gruesome aspect of police work, and one I could handle.’ Nikki turned towards him. ‘Now, what does this boy know that we don’t?’

‘Phew, where do I start?’ He pushed his floppy fringe of dark blond hair from his eyes. ‘Most importantly, he knows all about the masks, well, pretty well all about them. Marcus and Mickey were the distributors of the damn things! And Mickey, who is slightly hyperactive, didn’t just do as he was told and get on with the job. He nosed around, trying to discover what was going on.’

Nikki rubbed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose. ‘I now see why you are practically phobic about him. Keeping him safe is absolutely vital.’ She looked up. ‘But getting everything he’s told you recorded is almost as critical.’

Joseph reached into his inside jacket pocket and handed her a folded sheaf of papers. ‘While he slept, I got it all down, ma’am. It makes interesting reading. And I’ve also written down the address and contact number for Dr Langley’s clinic.’

‘Excellent. Now, I just need to decide what to do about his loving parents.’

Joseph pulled a face. ‘Loving mother left home the night before last, for good. No forwarding address. Doting father went banzai, tore up the house, then went on yet another bender. Mickey has no idea, or gives a toss, where he is.’

Nikki shook her head. ‘Archie said he wasn’t the luckiest kid on the block. But this makes things easier for us, at least temporarily. They’ll have to be found, but frankly they’re the least of my worries right now.’

‘And I’d better get back in there.’

‘You need a break, Sergeant.’

‘Once we’ve got him to safety, ma’am. Let me stick it out until then?’ He looked at her with those infuriatingly sincere dark eyes, then added, ‘I’d never be able to rest, now would I?’