Nikki tensed. The sound of rubber soles slapping rhythmically on the slick pavement made the small smile spread further across her face.

She waited until he was a few feet from her, then stepped silently out, blocking his exit from the alleyway.

Darren jumped back and swore. ‘Silly fucking cow! You scared the life out of me!’

‘Sorry about that, Darren.’

The hooded figure froze at the mention of his name, then stepped a little closer, screwed up his face up and stared at her suspiciously. ‘I don’t know you.’

Nikki stared back. ‘No. You don’t. But I’ll tell you something. You’re never going to forget me.’

Her voice had become hard as winter ground, and Darren Barton suddenly seemed to decide that his earlier position, a few steps away from her, may have been the best one. ‘Dunno what you’re on about, so just bugger off. Get outta my way.’ He tried to adopt a hard-man pose, hands deep in pockets and jaw pushed forward in a feeble attempt to look threatening.

‘Can’t do that.’ In one swift move, she had Darren’s arms behind his back and his cheek jammed against the brick wall. ‘I’d hoped we could talk, but this way is fine by me.’ She tightened her grip, and saw pinpoint specks of blood appear across the stubbly surface of the man’s face. ‘You see, I don’t like you, Darren. Somehow I just can’t cope with scumbags like you, scumbags who kill kids.’

The man groaned and tried to mutter something. Nikki held both his wrists in one hand, grabbed his hair and pulled his head away from the brickwork.

‘I never killed no one!’ His eyes rolled. ‘Listen, lady! I dunno who you’re after, but you got the wrong man!’

‘Mm, don’t think so.’

‘What do you want?’ The eyes still looked like a really bad case of hyperthyroidism.

‘A name, that’s all. I want you to give me a name. But first, let me tell you why I picked this exact spot for our little chat.’

The man’s eyes narrowed.

‘It’s what’s called a dead spot. No cameras. No CCTV. No passers-by. No interruptions. So, what else does that mean, Darren?’

‘No witnesses.’ The voice was just a gravely whisper.

‘Exactly. Clever boy!’

‘Maybe you should know that I got connections to some very nasty people. They won’t be happy about this.’

Nikki laughed out loud. ‘Believe me, the nastiest person you’ll ever meet, is standing right beside you.’ She spun him round and pushed him back against the wall. ‘You carry a knife, Darren?’

He glowered at her, but said nothing.

‘Of course you do. Your kind always does.’ She stared at him, her loathing barely concealed. ‘Now, are you going to take it out of your pocket and place it on the ground? Or am I going to have to get it off you?’