‘Everything. And I have to see DI Galena about it.’ Tears broke through. ‘Don’t you understand, I have to see her!’

‘Look, I’ll get her, okay? Just stay on the line!’

‘No, I can’t. It’s not safe. I made a big mistake, and now …’ another pause, ‘… now I’m scared, Mr Policeman. You probably don’t know what that’s like, but I’m really scared!’

‘I do know about being scared, Frankie. Honestly, I do. But I want to help you. Just tell me how I can do that.’ Joseph looked frantically out of the door, but no one was in sight, and he was running out of things to say to keep her on the line.

‘If I can, I’ll be at the old Cattle Market in one hour. The river end. No promises, but I’ll try to get there. Tell her to come, but no other rozzers, understand? Or I’ll disappear, got it?’

‘Sure, sure, I understand. But Frankie? Can I go with her?’

There was a long pause. ‘If you must. But only you, Mr Policeman. No others.’

The phone howled in his ear. Frankie Doyle, if indeed it had been Frankie Doyle, had gone. Joseph tapped the receiver swiftly and asked for a trace. Two minutes later, Joseph uttered a word that rarely escaped his lips, and went to find his boss.

‘Joseph!’ Nikki’s voice echoed down the corridor. ‘There’s a Dutch cargo vessel docking in two hours time, then nothing for two days. It has to be the one!’ Nikki stopped and stared at Joseph’s confused expression. ‘Aren’t you pleased? It looks as though we are right!’

‘I’m sure we are, ma’am. Peterborough confirms that they have heard the rumours, just no time or location.’

‘So, why the long face?’

‘Because you just missed a call from Frankie Doyle, on an untraceable “pay-as-you-go” mobile.’

‘What!’ Nikki’s voice rose several octaves. ‘When? Are you sure it was her?’ With her mind in turmoil, she pushed her office door open and pointed inside.

‘Close the door.’ Nikki spun round. ‘What the hell did she want?’

‘To talk to you.’

‘About what exactly?’

Joseph relayed the conversation, word for word, then leant heavily against the door and stared directly at her. ‘I know you hate her, and with damned good reason, ma’am. But I think she’s in trouble, real trouble.’

‘Fucking good luck!’ spat Nikki, ‘With all my heart, I hope she is!’

‘She sounded terrified.’ Joseph stared at the floor. ‘And I mean, terrified.’

Nikki felt as if her head could explode at any moment, but she fought for control and grittily said, ‘She’s a con artist, Sergeant! Even your pet kid said she’s not right in the head, for Jesus Christ’s sake!’