I led the two men through the house, then outside to the decked patio. I was mildly annoyed to discover that I had left the house without closing the large window door that led from my study to the patio. It was hanging wide open. When I pushed it closed, it swung open again on its hinges. For some reason it stubbed against the frame. I was trying not to regard Jeksid too closely, but I felt that nothing about his physical appearance could have been guessed from the account he wrote of Hari Harsent’s killing. But then why should it have done? He was describing what he did, not what he saw in the mirror. All the assumptions were mine.

He walked slowly, favouring his left side over the right. I wondered if he had suffered a stroke, or was just developing the physical weaknesses that often hit in later years. The other day I had estimated his present age at . . . what? Sixty-two, I thought, which was not by modern standards the depths of old age. He looked older than that, more frail.

I keep only the two folding chairs on the patio, as well as a low table, but remembering the promise of a short visit I had made to Jo I did not offer them seats. Jeksid stood close to the edge of the deck, leaning on his cane.

‘You’re Enver Jeksid,’ I said. ‘Former detective serjeant with the Dearth police.’

‘Yes.’ His voice was louder and clearer than I had expected.

‘Well, I am Todd Fremde and I understand you have been trying to find me. I must ask you to make this quick, as I have plans to spend the afternoon with my partner.’

Spoder spoke across me. ‘Sir, I should warn you that I believe Jeksid is carrying a weapon.’

Jeksid raised his arms, so that his jacket parted at the front. There was no belt holster around his waist. He lowered his arms quickly, placing his weight on his cane again.

‘No, I am not,’ he said. ‘He has no reason to suspect me of that. I am here because I want some information.’

‘He is wearing a shoulder holster under his jacket,’ Spoder said.

‘That’s not true,’ Jeksid said, but made no effort to disprove it.

‘Go ahead,’ I said. ‘Just tell me what it is you want.’