Joel just saw him as a blur on the floor. He was quick – just the glint of a blade – and Nicholas’s reaction was instant. He dropped the barrel to point towards Richard and Joel threw himself at it. It went off, the boom filling the tight space and then the only sound left was a high-pitched whistle. Joel went down, now holding the weapon with both hands, pushing it into Nicholas as a way of trying to get some control. He was aware that Richard was underneath them; he must have brought his knee up for protection and it dug into Joel’s stomach and winded him. Joel scrabbled with his feet to get some grip, trying to keep pressing forward, pushing the barrel of the gun away from where Richard lay.

Boom!

The sound of the second shot registered with Joel like it was through sound-deadening but he felt this one: the gun bucked in his grip, and he scraped his knuckle against something sharp. He let go. The gun didn’t matter anymore. Nicholas was caught under him too. He bucked and twisted, trying to get free, and Joel could see enough of his head to swing at it with his big fist. It was a glancing blow. Nicholas took it and scurried away on his hands and knees, the light catching a large blade in his hand. He must have taken it off Richard. The blood that dripped from it would be his own, a wound in his calf preventing him from standing.

Another blur. This time it flashed across the room from his left. DS Rose led with her right like she was kicking a field goal. Nicholas’s head was at the perfect height. The thud of the blow found its way through to Joel’s muffled ears, as did the thump of the man hitting the floor, taking a row of stacked chairs with him. He remained still.

Joel planted a hand on the floor to get his balance. He felt it almost slip from under him; the floor was slick with blood. Richard was still laid out beside him. But he wasn’t moving.

‘Richard? Richard?’

There was no answer.

Chapter 61

Dover Police Station. Joel sipped at another rancid cup of something boiling. His ears whistled and popped as he worked his jaw and the sound of swallowing was as loud as the taste was foul. They were back in their makeshift office, the meeting room vibe even stronger now with all the chairs around the central table occupied. The table top was washed in a bright white from strip lights directly above, while darkness clawed at the window.