‘He’s swearing blind we planted the gear on him, but we were given the tip-off by a member of the public, and we have it all on tape.’

‘Did the call come to you direct, Inspector, or from the 999 switchboard?’

‘Direct, sir.’ Watts paused. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘I’ll tell you when I’ve listened to the tape. So, where’s Carter now?’

‘Locked up in the local nick, where he’ll stay until he appears in front of a magistrate later today and applies for bail.’

‘The Beak will tell him to get lost,’ said William.

‘I’d agree with you, sir, if he wasn’t being represented by Mr Booth Watson QC. I confess that came as a bit of a surprise.’

‘It doesn’t surprise me,’ said William. ‘Carter’s no more than a side-show. Booth Watson’s fees will be covered by a Mr Staples, the owner of the Eve Club, who’d lose his licence if his doorman was convicted of selling Class A drugs. Make sure you take every opportunity to refer to the defendant’s previous record, including his conviction for manslaughter, because I’m hoping to end up with two for the price of one. Keep me briefed.’

‘Will do, sir.’

‘Do you think it could have been Ross who planted the drugs on him?’ said Jackie, after he’d switched off the radio.

‘Not a risk he’d take,’ said William. ‘But he knows a dozen dips who could have carried out that job at the drop of a hat, quite literally.’

‘I just can’t believe …’ began Jackie.

‘You don’t want to believe,’ said William, as the radio crackled into life again.

‘DC Pankhurst, sir. Verenich’s just made his third collection. He had to force his way into the house, and he came out a few minutes later carrying a large television under one arm and a bulky plastic bag under the other. No sign of the previous owner.’

‘Pay him a visit, Rebecca, and try to charm him into making a statement. I need this case to be watertight. Danny, where is he now?’

‘On his way back to Sleeman’s office, with a large amount of dosh and a boot full of plunder. Should I head back to the Yard, sir?’

‘No, stay put,’ said William, ‘because you can be sure Verenich hasn’t yet made his final call of the day.’

‘What now, sir?’ asked Jackie.

‘We have to be patient, because the more vulnerable clients, the ones who can’t pay up, will come later in the day, when it’s dark and there’s less chance of any witnesses. We still have to gather enough evidence to make Booth Watson’s job as difficult as possible. And what’s more …’ he said as the red light on the radio began flashing once again.

A soft Irish lilt meant he didn’t have to ask who it was on the other end of the line.

‘I now know how to open the door in Faulkner’s study,’ said Detective Inspector Hogan. ‘I would have told you earlier, sir, if an overzealous young constable hadn’t held me up. Still, no doubt we’ll meet up at the cemetery after Verenich has made his last call of the day.’