‘The carrot of Jicaque,’ echoed Tom, playing for time, trying to think through some way of escape. ‘That’s some voodoo charm thing, right?’

Marcie smiled without humour. ‘Yes, your friend Ramone acted brave, too. Joking till the last. You should’ve heard the way he laughed when I opened his throat …’

As she spoke, Tom glanced behind him. Polar was still hovering wraith-like beneath the streetlamp. And from out of the shadows on the far side of the bridge, two more people were advancing on them, hemming them in.

‘And to think,’ Marcie continued with mock sadness, ‘that his skinny hide had just been patched up by that lush over on East 123rd. What a waste of sutures.’

‘So you know about Woollard,’ Tom said quietly.

‘And his work,’ she added.

Kate frowned. ‘And you tolerate it?’

‘Woollard and Stein both have their part to play in our plans,’ said Marcie. Her eyes gleamed. ‘Like you two. I’m so glad I’ve found you both again.’

Tom was drawing a blank on any means of escape. He had to keep her talking, buy them some time. ‘How did you know we were even in contact with Ramone?’

Marcie assumed an innocent expression. ‘I didn’t.’

‘I told her,’ said one of the dark figures, stepping forwards into the better light. But Tom had already recognised the voice and the massive frame, now wielding a baseball bat with a half-dozen nails knocked through the fat end.

Swagger.

Kate took a sharp breath and Tom reached for her hand. She clutched it for a second, then let go. He watched her draw herself up to her full height and stare defiantly across at the towering man.

‘You owe me, girl,’ Swagger said. ‘And I’m gonna collect. Promise.’

‘I don’t get it, Swagger,’ Tom said, trying to distract him. ‘You said you wanted Ramone alive.’

Swagger answered, but his gaze still lingered greedily on Kate. ‘That was when he still had his gang, and could lead them the way we wanted. Now they’ve scattered. We don’t need him no more.’

‘And Polar was the consolation prize?’

‘Turned him myself, last night.’ Swagger grinned. ‘Thought I might need me a spy.’

‘Good military thinking,’ said Marcie. ‘Now I understand why Takapa has appointed you his personal aide.’

‘Yeah, until now she couldn’t believe that he’d hire such an ugly loser,’ Kate added helpfully.

‘That’s enough. Really, it’s so cold out here. So exposed.’ Marcie fixed her glacial eyes on Tom, then took a step towards him. Swagger and his heavy kept pace with her. ‘Takapa has private lodgings close by. Perhaps you’d care to accompany me there?’

‘Nice offer,’ Tom said, ‘but we’ve made plans.’ He checked behind him and saw the other thugs were advancing closer too. Soon he and Kate would be trapped.