Perhaps the one positive for Dani when she awoke the next morning was that at least she didn’t have a stinking hangover. Still, a quick raid of her painkiller stash was needed before she could even think about the day ahead. She showered and dressed and then made her way outside for what she was sure was going to be a shitty day. Yesterday – the afternoon at least – had been all about doing her public duty as an officer at a horrific road accident. Today, though, she was sure the ramifications of what had occurred in Handsworth would begin to bite.

Before heading off, Dani walked along the street to her car, having spotted it from the window of her apartment. She had no idea who had left it there or at what time, but had found the keys in her letterbox on the ground floor. She put the car into the apartment block’s underground car park and then made her way back outside and across the city on foot to HQ.

Inside, the office was busy with people, but quiet on the chatter front. Quite the opposite to the previous day. Dani knew that meant McNair was in. She spotted Jason at his desk, busily typing away. He didn’t look up at Dani. Was he avoiding her after their bust-up – their most recent one of many – or had he not seen her?

Easton was at his desk too. He gave Dani an awkward look and got to his feet.

‘Boss?’ he said. ‘Are you ok?’

‘I’m fine, for god’s sake. Can I not even sit down without being hassled?’

Easton took his seat again, looked back to his computer, his cheeks flushing.

Dani heard McNair’s office door open. She slumped. She knew even before McNair spoke who she was after.

‘DI Stephens, in here please.’

From across the room, Jason gave her a sheepish look, almost as though he were apologising for what was to come. Dani headed to McNair’s office. When she was in the doorway she realised the DCI wasn’t alone inside. A silver-haired man was sitting behind the desk.

McNair closed the door behind them and went and stood by the man.

‘DI Stephens,’ the man said. ‘I’m Chief Superintendent Eric Baxter.’

Dani knew the name, but they’d never met. Baxter had been transferred in from another force a few months before. This was quite a way to be introduced to her new big boss.

‘Please take a seat,’ Baxter said.

He had a pile of papers on the desk which he shuffled about a bit as though he were building up to what he wanted to say.

‘I understand you’re probably feeling quite bruised by what happened yesterday?’

‘Bruised? You could say that, sir. I saw a man being wiped out by an articulated lorry. It’s not, thankfully, an everyday occurrence.’