Nikki moved closer. ‘It’s no schmaltzy, “Tell Laura I love her” stuff, is it?’

‘Far from it.’ He gripped her hand tightly. ‘Listen, they told me my operation is not without risk, and even if all goes well, I may be in here for some time.’

‘I know that, but you are going to be fine, I have it on the best authority from your number-one fan, Dave Harris.’

She looked around and on queue Dave lifted a hand and waved through the observation window.

Joseph smiled at the man, then turned back to her, his face deadly serious. ‘Frankie Doyle. When you get her into custody, and I have no doubt that you will, do it by the book! Promise me, ma’am?’

Nikki frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You know exactly what I mean. She’s done you immeasurable damage.’ He gripped her tighter. ‘But don’t give her one inch to play with, not one tiny discrepancy where she could have anything on you, and get herself off.’ He gave her a small smile. ‘I know you’d like to tear her limb from limb, slowly and without anaesthetic, but for God’s sake, treat her with kid gloves! She has to go down! She has to go to prison, and she has to stay there, ma’am.’ His breathing became laboured, but he hadn’t finished. ‘And don’t forget, she is probably the one person who knows where Kerry Anderson is. If you antagonize her even more, she’ll never tell us anything.’

Before Nikki could answer, a voice called out, ‘Time to go, Joseph.’

Two porters stood in the doorway, and the doctor and a small army of nurses began organizing drips and monitors for his trip to theatre.

‘Don’t wait around here, ma’am. Get yourself down to the docks for a piece of the action.’

‘I think I’ve had quite enough of that for one day, thank you very much, Sergeant. Maybe I’ll do as suggested and leave this one to the professionals.’

As the bed was pushed towards the door, he called back, ‘Whatever you do, don’t let her win.’

She followed him along the corridor towards the lifts. ‘Good luck, Joseph,’ she whispered. ‘I’d like to pray for you, but it doesn’t seem to have worked too well recently.’

As the lift doors closed, he smiled wanly and said, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I’m still here, aren’t I?’

Dave met her in reception. ‘There’ll be a few nails being bitten down at the docks right now.’

Nikki nodded. Normally she would have given her eye teeth to be a part of the raid, but not this time. This time she would prefer to keep close to the operating theatre. And anyway, a horrible lethargic tiredness was creeping into her bones. Today she and Joseph had been a hair’s breadth from death, and she was feeling the aftermath.