‘I’ve served my time. I’ve got rights. I’m no different from anyone else. I want the bastard who did this prosecuted.’

The big detective stood on the fingers of his suspect’s right hand, pressing down hard until he yelped. ‘Oh, I don’t think so, Peter. We wouldn’t get anywhere with the investigation even if you did make a statement. I’ve got more important things to do with my time. A case that matters a lot more than you do. That’s why I’m here. Your name’s in the frame. I’m looking for a missing child. A child with links to you.’

Davies pulled his hand away as the detective took a backward step. ‘If a kid’s missing, it’s got fuck all to do with me. Ask the probation people. I completed the sex offender course over a year back. I haven’t offended since, not even once.’

The big man chuckled to himself. A cold laugh that had nothing to do with humour. ‘Yeah, like that’s going to make any difference. Give me a fucking break. You haven’t been caught yet, that’s all. People like you don’t change. You can’t make a straight man gay or a gay man straight. And you can’t turn a nasty little nonce git like you into anything different. You’re always going to be a risk to kids, all your miserable life. It’s who you are. Those courses are as fucking useless as you are; if anything, they make things worse.’

Davies shifted his position as the urine pooled under him, soaking into his clothes, staining the frayed carpet. ‘I haven’t done anything, I swear it, what more can I say?’

‘In that case, you won’t object to me having a good look around this shithole, will you, you dirty little pervert?’

Davies grimaced on shaking his head. ‘Look wherever the fuck you want. I’ve got nothing to hide. I just want you out of here.’

Lewis turned away. ‘You stay right there where you are, there’s a good nonce. Don’t move an inch. Just lie there and stink of piss. I’ll shout if I need you.’

Davies called out as Lewis approached the open door to the kitchen. ‘When did the kid go missing?’

‘Are you trying to be funny?’

‘No, no, not at all, it’s a serious question. If you tell me, I may be able to help you.’

The detective walked back towards his suspect, flexing his powerful biceps, cracking his knuckles. ‘Waste my time, and I’ll show you what a proper beating feels like. It’s something I’m good at, something in which I excel… speak up, Peter. I’m not a patient man.’

Davies pressed himself against the base of the sofa, making himself smaller. ‘I’m not that stupid. I want you gone. I’ll do anything I can to help. Just say the word.’

Should he say something? Was it a good idea? Yeah, what the hell, it would be all over the papers soon enough anyway. ‘The child disappeared some time in the early hours of this morning.’