‘And you can prove that, can you?’

‘Of course I can! Unless that lump of shit Cox went back and finished her off, and that ain’t my fault, is it?’

‘Where is she?’

‘Get me out of here! Just get me away from that psycho Leonard, and I’ll tell you.’

The words pot and kettle came to mind, but then Nikki felt a great surge of hope. She pulled out her phone and called Dave Harris.

‘Call this in, Dave, then get your arse down here pronto. I’ve got Doyle, and I want a car immediately, to the Zig Zag café.’

She released Doyle’s feet and stood her up. ‘After you.’ She pushed her through the door and out through the kitchen and into the alley.

Archie waited outside, his face expressionless. ‘I should have guessed which road you’d choose, Nikki Galena.’ He threw her a slightly sad, half smile, then began to walk away. ‘Pity.’

‘You’ll thank me for it one day, Archie.’ She called after him. ‘And thank you.’

He paused, then nodded and walked on, and in moments he had melted into the darkness.

CHAPTER THIRTY

WHEN NIKKI AND Dave arrived back at Greenborough Police Station, and the mood was a mixture of disbelief and anger that one of their own had been deliberately injured, and elation at the fact they had secured the massive shipment of drugs, and taken three, now four, of five of the villains. The officers that had just returned from the raid were naturally high, the adrenaline was still pumping, and there was the usual backslapping, high fives, but even they seemed subdued, considering the high profile of the operation.

‘Didn’t see you down the docks, Davey-boy?’ called out one young officer. ‘Skiving off again? Dodging the action?’

Nikki spun round on him, but Dave put his finger to his lips, and said. ‘Let them have their moment, Ma’am. They don’t mean any harm. I’ve seen plenty of action in my years on the force, done things that he’d only dream of. Forget them, you need to see the Super about a search party for Kerry.’

‘Sorry, but some of these gung-ho rookies make me want to puke. They need to learn to keep their big gobs closed when they don’t know the full story.’ She gave Dave’s arm a squeeze. ‘You’ve been a diamond today, and I’m going to make quite sure that the superintendent is aware if it.’ She pulled in a deep breath. ‘Go grab a coffee, Dave, and thanks for everything.’