‘I don’t get it. Why’s everyone so keen to get back to work? If it was me who was nearly thrown out a window and saved in the nick of time by an attractive and talented colleague, I’d get a sick note and snuggle on the sofa watching Extreme Cake Makers for a few days.’

‘I’m feeling better already,’ he said.

‘Course you are.’

‘Do we have an address?’

‘He lives up in Rochford, units are on the way there now.’

The reception was filled with officers and staff, and when Lolly went to get an update on the pursuit of Ian Carrington – he had given officers the slip in the tangle of streets behind the care home – Craig walked towards the door.

‘Wait.’ She hurried over. ‘Where are you going?’

‘To Carrington’s home,’ he said. ‘Text me his address.’

‘Oh no.’ She jumped in his way. ‘Not until we get you seen to.’

He sighed. ‘Get me a couple of painkillers and I’m good to go.’

‘Right now, yeah,’ she told him angrily, ‘you look like something out of a horror movie. The Walking Craig.’

‘Sasha would do exactly the same. I’ll call her on the way.’

‘She’s not about,’ Lolly told him.

‘What are you talking about?’

‘She’s not gone back to the office and nobody can get in touch with her.’

‘You’re joking, right?’

‘Wish I was, mate. Everyone’s running around getting as much intel on this Ian Carrington fella as they can, yeah. There’s a property search under way. We’re looking for second homes, lock-ups, garages, anywhere he could have taken those kids. It turns out Carrington worked as an agent at a lettings agency.’ She looked at his battered face and said, ‘You totally owe me for saving your neck, so get yourself checked out, get that finger seen to, and then maybe I won’t drop you in it with DCI Vaughn.’

‘He’s a nutcase, he came right at me.’ Craig swallowed, and for a moment she thought he was going to burst into tears. ‘I didn’t know what hit me.’

She touched his arm. ‘He got lucky, coz I can’t imagine anyone getting one over the Power Man. We’re gonna go get him, but first we have to clean you up.’ Lolly caught the eye of one of the staff. ‘Can someone take a look at my colleague?’

Craig’s fingers trembled at his side. He’d had a fright, his body was probably going into shock, and it was wrong to let him shrug off the attack, but she knew there was no stopping him.

He moved the hand out of sight. ‘One of these days, I’m going to come to your rescue.’