Nikki nodded. ‘I know all prisoners have rights, sir, far more than they ever allow their victims, but there’s reasonable grounds for believing that there is a serious risk to a girl’s life if we delay.’

‘I’m banking on that, Nikki.’ The Super stood up. ‘Come on. I know you can’t interview her, but you can watch through the viewing window.’ He walked to the door and held it open. ‘By the way, you really should know that top brass are pretty damned pleased with you and your team.’

Nikki nodded, said, ‘Makes a change from their usual vitriolic comments, sir,’ and thought, Would they be so pleased if they knew my earlier quandary?

‘Well, let’s face it, you were the only one to find some sense in this whole bloody shambolic war!’ He shook his head as if still astounded at what had just happened. ‘And, in turn, we managed to intercept cocaine with the street value of over three million pounds! You deserve more than just a pat on the back!’

‘And no one got hurt on the raid, sir?’

‘No. All back home safe, even though it wasn’t quite text book. These hastily cobbled combined ops can be tricky.’

‘How did Doyle and Cox manage to slip the net?’

‘We think something aroused Cox’s suspicions, but to alert the rest of them would have attracted attention, so he and Doyle went to use the loo, then they slipped out and off the radar, leaving the two remaining Flukes to carry the can.’

‘Once a piece of shit, always a piece of shit.’

At the lift, the Super pressed the down button. ‘Remind me, this is the man you believe to have been instrumental in Emily Drennan’s death, isn’t it? The footballer?’

‘Ex-footballer, now drug dealer.’

‘I don’t think he’ll get far, Nikki, not with a face as distinctive as that. We’ve circulated a description to all forces, and to all airports and ports. I’d be surprised if he lasts more than a day on the run.’

‘I wouldn’t be too sure, sir,’ said Nikki. ‘There are more villains involved in this than the ones we have in custody. Someone will hide him.’

‘We already have the names for the mask makers. Two of the Flukes have clammed up, but the one that you pole-axed has woken up singing like Aled Jones in order to help himself. Sadly, he has no idea where Cox took Kerry.’

‘Then it really is all down to making Frankie talk.’ She stepped into the lift. ‘So what was the shipment concealed in, sir?’