There was a clashing of metal as Stephen heaved his weight up on to the fence, the tips of his shiny black shoes scrabbling for purchase between the links.

‘Hey,’ shouted the policeman. ‘Get down from there. This is a crime scene.’ While Stephen ignored him, the Editor said, ‘Let me remind you that you are here at my invitation and that—’

The policeman interrupted him, ‘How about perverting the course of justice? How about that? Full statements, right now, by—’

‘It’s apparent to everyone that justice only has a chance of being done because of the information provided by this newspaper. If you interfere in its work, I will have you ejected from this private property and then ring every media organization in England to warn them that the state is indulging in censorship.’

Geraldine, who was inexpertly pressing buttons on her floral-patterned iPhone, threw in, ‘Cops kicked out after bungling Beast probe.’

That embarrassed the policeman in front of his subordinates. ‘It doesn’t matter. No one goes anywhere or does anything without the police present.’

‘But my God, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting,’ said the Editor. ‘That man is going to look for a trail we’ve picked up. Yes, that’s right. Almost certainly the would-be intruder. Some of your officers had better help his colleague over the fence and go with them. An armed presence could be the difference between life and death.’ He’d already decided to move his father’s pistol to a soft leather holster he could wear under a jumper.

The policeman was a little perplexed by this seeming shift in what the Editor meant. He said, ‘The police need to have a complete overview of everything that happens. We need to know exactly what’s going on at all times. And if anything else happens, you – your reporters – will have to take police instructions for their own safety. No questions asked.’

‘My thoughts exactly. Hadn’t we better get on with it? There’s the trail. Let’s follow it.’

The policeman hesitated a little longer, then said to his men, ‘Fred and Alex, help them over the fence and go with them.’

‘Good. Those of us opposing these murderers have to work together now more than ever, and share our information. We’ll need Beast reporters present when you start making raids.’

The policeman tried to protest again, but Geraldine, who was now holding her phone horizontally on her palm, said, ‘Charles, if you face the hole in the fence, you’re pointing straight at Bucklebury.’