‘Smart thinking.’ Nikki sat back in her chair and looked enquiringly at Dave. ‘So tell me about this attic room of theirs?’

Dave’s eyes widened again. ‘Well, part of it was like some hi-tech recording or photographic studio, more equipment than it would take to launch the space shuttle, but the rest was more like a home cinema.’ He swallowed noisily. ‘Big, big screen, and a row of seats, but they weren’t like normal armchairs, they …’ His face reddened and he looked helplessly at Cat.

‘They were electronic, Guv, and the coverings were made of thick rubber. They enabled you to relax, and play along with the game. They reclined and had certain accoutrements to assist with one’s pleasure. Need I say more?’

Nikki shuddered. ‘You’ve said too much already, thank you. But it’s my fault. I did ask the question, didn’t I?’

A soft knock on the door made her look up.

‘What am I missing?’ Joseph’s benign smile entered the room before he did, and he was greeted by a roar of laughter.

‘You tell him, Dave!’ called out Cat, and Dave blushed even deeper.

‘Come in, Sergeant.’ said Nikki. ‘And believe me, you’ve missed nothing of importance. Well, nothing any of us are prepared to share with you right now.’ She turned to the others. ‘Okay, you two, get on to those contact details, and let me know what you come up with. The sergeant and I are going out for a while.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL was concealed at the back of a small industrial estate. From the front it looked like an upmarket office block, nothing like a fancy clinic, and that was perfect as far as Nikki was concerned.

Mickey, now known as Jonas (from his favourite group) Lincoln (his favourite football team), was in a small private room on the first floor.

When he saw Joseph, his eyes lit up. Then a sullen look spread across his face when he saw that his hero had not arrived alone.

‘Hi, champ! How’s the pain?’

‘Okay, I spose.’ He mumbled. ‘Who’s she?’

‘Well, that’s a nice way to talk to my boss!’ He grinned at the boy, then leant down and whispered something in the child’s ear. After a moment or two, Mickey gave her a half-hearted smile, and Joseph continued. ‘Right, let’s start again, shall we? Allow me to introduce Detective Inspector Nikki Galena. Guv’nor, this is Jonas Lincoln.’

‘Hello, Jonas. Do you like your new room?’

‘It has TV, loads of channels, look.’ He pressed a handset and the screen shot dizzily from programme to programme.

‘Mm, good stuff, and they tell me the food is ace, as well,’ said Nikki, hating the small talk, and desperately wanting to get on and grill the child.

‘I guess,’ he said miserably. ‘But everything tastes weird to me. The doc says I swallowed a lot of blood.’