‘Yeah, even when I was a rookie, he was “The Man”. But you knew where you stood with him. Life was like a massive game called “Them and Us”, and when they won, we worked harder, and when we won, they threw up their hands and coughed to it.’

‘Surely it was never really like that? No one said, “Fair cop, officer, I’ll go quietly”, did they?’ Joseph’s eyes widened.

‘Not quite, but Archie Leonard and his two brothers earned quite a bit of respect back then.’ Nikki ran a hand through her hair. ‘Yes, they were villains, and people did get hurt, no denying that, but they never went in for violence for violence sake. They were damn clever criminals, and anyone who managed to stick a conviction on one of them was pretty well thought of.’

‘And I’ve no doubt you’ve had your moments with the Leonard family?’

‘Off and on over the years we’ve had the odd run-in, but I thought you should know what kind of man Archie is before you draw any conclusions about him.’

‘Okay, I’ll bear that in mind. So, any idea why he’s here?’

‘None whatsoever, but I do know he won’t be behind the violence on the Carborough. That’s not his way, and he has family and friends living there.’

‘Right.’ Joseph flashed her an intrigued smile. ‘Let’s go see what The Man wants, shall we?’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

IF JOSEPH HAD had any preconceptions as to what the Godfather was like, they would have been blown away the moment he entered the interview room.

Archie Leonard sat at the desk, sipping black coffee. Three other empty beakers were lined up on the table in front of him. Joseph smiled inwardly at the understated indication to the inspector as to exactly how long the man had been waiting.

Joseph did a quick appraisal and noted a man who would have looked totally at home in a courtroom but not in the dock. Archie Leonard would have been the one dressed in a red robe and wearing a curled wig. He was straight-backed, good looking in a greying, distinguished way, and had piercing, intelligent, bright-blue eyes.

Nikki strode into the room and straight up to Leonard.

‘Archie! How are you?’

Joseph remained close to the door and silently observed the greeting. He hadn’t been in Greenborough long, but DI Galena was giving this high-ranking criminal the warmest smile he’d seen her stony face produce since he’d met her. And just as surprising, the feeling was clearly reciprocated. Leonard had clasped her outstretched hand in a two-handed grip and was pumping her hand up and down with obvious warmth. There was history here and Joseph wondered what the hell it was.

When Leonard finally let her go, he sat back down and drew in a deep breath. His gaze then whipped round to Joseph.

‘And you are?’