‘I’ve already sent that message. He might be on sick leave, but he’s only going home via Robber’s Row.’

As it happened, Malcolm Peabody was the first person they saw on arrival at the hospital. They were in the car park, climbing from the Lexus, when the tall, lanky figure, still in the suit he’d been wearing yesterday, now muddy and crumpled, emerged from A&E with ashen features. He didn’t see them at first and walked unsteadily towards the taxi rank. Lucy noticed that the back of his head now sported a huge plaster, and that streaks of brackish, congealed blood lay all down the back of his jacket.

‘Malcolm … hey, Mal?’ she said, approaching.

He turned dazedly, recognising her straight away, but not bothering with his usual cheeky grin. ‘Morning, Lucy. Oh, Ma’am … how are you?’

‘Better than you, by the looks of it,’ Nehwal replied.

Up close, he wasn’t just pale and pained, he was dirtied by smoke. He’d clearly tried to wash his face but had missed most of his forehead and chin.

‘Do you want to tell us what happened?’ Lucy said.

‘Got walloped from behind. Sorry, but whoever it was, I didn’t even hear them coming.’

‘Were you paying attention?’ Nehwal asked.

‘Excuse me, ma’am?’ His words were polite, but his tone hovered on the verge of insolence.

‘I mean were you tired or did they get the drop on you by using stealth?’

‘Could be the difference between a bunch of yobs with nothing else to do, Mal, and something more sinister,’ Lucy said.

‘Oh right …’ Now he understood, his expression turning apologetic. ‘I thought I saw someone, but I honestly can’t remember. There were weird things going on all night, to be honest.’

‘What weird things?’ Lucy asked.

‘Don’t worry about that now,’ Nehwal cut in. ‘You’ll have to put all this in a statement, PC Peabody, you understand?’

‘Yes, ma’am. Erm … when?’

‘Now. While it’s fresh in your mind.’

Delicately, he touched his left temple. ‘Nothing feels very fresh inside here.’

‘That’s as maybe, but your recollection at present is as good as it’s going to get.’ She slid her phone from her pocket. ‘I’ll make a call, get a patrol to take you back to Robber’s Row. Afterwards they can take you home, but before then we’re setting up the Incident room on the top floor. Go up to it and speak to Detective Sergeant Brannigan from Serious Crimes. Tell her I sent you and to explain the situation.’

He looked puzzled. ‘Incident room … for a police assault?’

‘Kate Brannigan will fill you in properly, after she’s taken your statement.’

He nodded as though all that made sense, even though it patently didn’t. Nehwal wheeled away from them, speaking into her phone.

‘Sorry, Malcolm,’ Lucy said.

‘Hardly your fault.’