‘It’ll pass, and you’ll soon be enjoying what ever you want, you’ll see,’ said Joseph with a grin. ‘Now, are you up to answering just a few questions for us?’

‘I’m pretty tired.’ He closed his eyes, and blinked a few times for effect.

‘Then we’ll get it over very quickly and you can rest,’ said Nikki. ‘Now, I’ve heard from my sergeant here that you’re a really smart kid, and I’m wondering if you know something about someone, something that no one else seems to know.’

Mickey drew himself up on his pillow and looked at her suspiciously. He reacted to the compliment, but was obviously wondering who she was talking about.

‘Ever heard of Frankie Doyle?’

Mickey didn’t even need to consider his reply. ‘I don’t like her!’

‘You know her?’

‘I’ve seen Marcus talking to her, and … hey! Have you guys found Marcus? Is he okay?’

‘Sorry, sport, we’ve got no news for you yet.’ Joseph looked apologetic, then turned to Nikki and with a tiny wink, said, ‘See, ma’am, I told you this was the boy to ask! Not much gets past Jonas here! So you’ve actually met this Frankie Doyle?’

Mickey/Jonas visibly inflated when he heard Joseph’s words of praise. ‘I know her well enough to stay clear of her, and the people who do mix with her say she’s not right.’

‘Not right about what?’

‘Not right in the head is what I mean.’ He shifted uncomfortably and clutched at his damaged ribs. ‘I don’t want to talk about her.’

‘Has she ever hurt you, Mickey?’ asked Nikki.

‘Don’t call me that! My name is Jonas! Sergeant Joe said so.’

‘I’m sorry, Jonas, but I have to know about her. Does she live near you?’

‘No. She moved away, but she’s been hanging around again.’

Nikki had a strong feeling that the boy had had some kind of dealings with her at some point in his young life, and she had not exactly made a good impression. ‘Does she hang around with Fluke?’

‘Maybe, but I’ve never seen them together.’ He looked at Joseph pathetically. ‘I’m really tired, Sergeant Joe. Can we leave it at that, please?’

‘Sure. One last question and we’ll be off. Have you seen her with anyone in particular?’

The boy shook his head slowly. ‘No. No one. But they say she’s hooked up with a drug dealer. Someone from out of town. That’s all I know. Honest.’

‘That’s cool, Jonas, old buddy. You get some rest, I’ll check in on you later. Okay?’

As they left, Nikki spoke briefly to the two officers outside, then walked down the corridor to the lifts. Behind her, she heard the ever-changing background noises from a dozen different television channels.