Carl didn’t say anything. He just kept looking at Jane.

‘We’ve arrested him,’ Teflon said.

‘Good. I hope he goes to prison for ever.’

Teflon went to search the bedroom and let Jane be alone with Carl.

‘I had a job to do, Carl. But it turned out I enjoyed your company. You’re a nice guy.’

In the bedroom Teflon saw an empty suitcase on the bed and next to it Carl’s clothes, neatly folded and laid out ready to be packed. He noticed a brown A4 envelope by the pillow and looked inside.

‘Jane, have you got a second?’ he called out.

He held up two large wads of cash and whispered, ‘There’s two grand here, and he was about to pack his case.’

Jane felt her head spin, wondering if Carl was not the straightforward man he appeared to be.

‘I think he’s had you fooled. We need to arrest him,’ Teflon said.

‘No, there has to be an explanation. Let me talk to him first.’

She took the money from him.

‘Have it your way, but when I’ve finished searching this room, I’m nicking him.’

As Jane left the room, Teflon opened the door in the corner of the bedroom and saw that it led to a small bathroom, with a shower, basin and toilet. He closed the door and unzipped his pants.

‘Where did you get this money, Carl?’ she asked, showing it to him.

‘George gave it to me. He told me to get out of his flat and never come back.’

‘Is that the truth?’

She put the money on the table.

‘Look what he did to me,’ he said, taking off his shirt.

She gasped when she saw the red and blue welts all over his torso. He had been lashed so hard the belt and buckle had cut into his skin, leaving imprints of their shape.

Jane was so transfixed she wasn’t aware Tony Nichols had crept into the flat and was listening to the conversation from the kitchen. She put her hand to her mouth.

‘Oh my God, Carl. What have I done?’

‘It wasn’t your fault.’

‘Of course it was. Tony Nichols told him who I am and he took it out on you.’

Carl sniffed. ‘I know where George and Smudge hide things.’

‘What things?’

‘Stuff they steal.’

Nichols quietly picked up a large carving knife from the kitchen counter, then crept up behind Carl and plunged it hard into his back before Jane even knew what was happening. Carl fell to the floor, groaning and gasping for air as blood pooled around him. Jane instinctively moved forward to help him but Nichols pointed the knife at her, making her back off. She stopped herself from glancing towards the bedroom, hoping Nichols didn’t know Teflon was with her. Nichols picked the money up and put it in his coat pocket.