‘And it also takes us back to not knowing what the hell they want it for. Do you know, last time I went in to check the post, I went over that place again, from top to bottom, and for the life of me I can’t find anything that makes it special.’

‘Then we do what we agreed, and back off. If Emilia is not coming back immediately, there’s no need to spend too much time there.’ Liz yawned. ‘I’m ready to turn in. I want to get out to Linden Road early tomorrow, see if there are any more familiar faces taking their custom to Mr Smith’s very convenient store.’

‘Have you decided what’s being passed under the counter yet?’ Matt asked.

‘Not yet, but it’s not drugs, I know that much. If I had to make a guess, I’d say extreme pornography. Dirty magazines most likely.’

‘Well, I know the internet is the main source for that kind of stuff nowadays, but apparently there’s still a massive market for “old school” porn. It could be a very lucrative sideline. What makes you think that’s the case?’

Liz smiled. ‘All the shady-looking characters buy papers, and not the red tops either. It’s the Telegraph, of all things. Can you picture some seedy scrote making himself a nice filter coffee and settling down to do the Telegraph crossword before walking the dog or playing a round of golf?’

Matt laughed. ‘No, I can’t see it at all. So, you reckon there’s something inside them?’

‘I reckon a rather special kind of insert, one that the Telegraph Media Group wouldn’t be too proud of.’ She grimaced. ‘I just need to work out a way of getting hold of one of those “special” copies, and then we’ll be able to tell Nigel Foreman that his suspicions are correct, and hand it over to our old mates at the nick.’

Matt looked at her. ‘Any ideas on how you can work that little piece of magic?’

‘One or two, but I want to keep an eye on the place for a bit longer. I’ve noticed a couple of faces that we’ve come across before in our previous life, and I’d really like to know whether Smith is a one-man band, or part of something bigger.’

‘Don’t get spotted, especially if there are a few old lags frequenting that store, men who might recognise a copper when they see one.’ Matt suddenly began to wish he was working with her on this, instead of being on call for his distraught friend. ‘You take care, Liz. I’m aware that you know what you’re doing, but I worry about you covering this alone.’