I looked at him. ‘What’re you saying? You mean, they go off with this guy —’

‘And vanish. Dodgy, or what?’

‘Yeah. Dodgy. Did you tell the old guy?’

‘Sure. He said somebody else saw the lass with a man, going into a house.’

‘I know. It was Captain Hook. His flat’s in the house. The guy’s been there but nobody answered the door. Did you tell him to go to the cops?’

‘Naw. No point, is there? All they’d say is, dossers move on all the time. No evidence, see? Nothing concrete.’

‘Yeah, but —’

‘I know. We could be talking murder here. Double murder, but it’s all supposition, my old mate.’

‘So what do we do?’

Nick shrugged. ‘I know what he looks like, and the gallant Captain has the address. I suggest we watch him for a bit – see what he does. If he’s what we think he is he’s bound to give himself away. Then we tell the fuzz.’

‘And what if he takes some other kid home in the meantime – we can’t watch him twenty-four hours a day.’ I looked at Gail. ‘What do you reckon, Gail?’

‘I – I’m not sure, Link. Listen – I’ve got to make a phone call. My sister. I’ll see you outside the Brazilia in ten minutes and we’ll talk about it, okay?’

We watched her cross the street. Nick grinned. ‘Now that’s what I call a cool chick. We tell her there’s probably a killer stalking the streets and she goes off to phone her sister. I don’t know where you find ’em, Link old son.’ He punched my arm. ‘I’ll see you.’

The afternoon was warm, the pavements thronged with sightseers. I strolled along to the Brazilia and leaned against the wall with my eyes closed, enjoying the sun on my face. If I’d known then what I know now, it would’ve spoiled my whole day.

When Gail got back I said, ‘We should go to the fuzz.’ I’d been thinking about Ginger. The sort of guy he was. He wouldn’t have just gone off without saying anything. I’d half convinced myself he’d done exactly that because there’d been no other explanation, but now —

‘Can if you like,’ said Gail. ‘But I doubt if they’ll be impressed.’

We went up to Albany Street and they weren’t impressed. In fact it took us all our time to get past the front desk. Eventually a Detective Sergeant came. Detective Sergeant Ireson. He took us into a cubicle. I started to tell him about Ginger but he interrupted. ‘I should tell you that following representations by a member of the public, the matter you’re concerned about was investigated. Nothing was found, and no further action is contemplated.’