‘Just a Coke. Lots of ice,’ Danny replied. He paused at the door to take in the drinkers. A man and a woman sat together at the other end of the bar, behind them a partition that marked the start of the area laid out as tables for diners. Part of the closing ritual meant the lights above this area were dimmed to convey the message that the kitchen was shut. You could still sit at the tables though, as demonstrated by a figure seated facing away from where Danny stood at the bar. The seated man had wide shoulders wrapped in a fitted suit. Danny knew that he was supposed to go over and take the seat opposite. Lank hair said something when he placed the glass down on the bar, but Danny ignored him to scoop up the drink and move away.

‘Last orders?’ Danny said. He stood by the chair opposite the man rather than pulling it out to sit. ‘Goes with the image, all this. Sitting in a dark booth and facing away all mysterious. Very private detective.’

‘Not the choice I expected from you.’ The man gestured at Danny’s glass of Coke. ‘Guess that means I’m drinking alone.’

‘Did you break into my car?’

‘Is it broken?’

‘Did you break into my car?’ Danny said again.

‘I’m sorry, OK. I needed to get your attention.’

‘That’s beginning to get boring. You could have just come and spoken to me here. You know where I drink, you know my room.’

‘And you might have ignored me. Tonight, at least.’

‘I could have ignored the note in my car too.’

‘You didn’t though. That’s what I meant by getting your attention. Over the years I’ve found the best way to get someone sat down in front of me is actually to piss them off. That doesn’t mean I can’t be apologetic about my tactics.’

‘Who are you?’ Danny leaned in and the chair creaked under his palms.

‘I said “sat down in front of me”. Would you mind? Only you’re drawing attention.’

Danny sniffed. He hesitated for just a moment then put his Coke down and pulled the chair out. The man pursed his lips, waiting until Danny was still.

‘Thank you. You know who I am. You know I’m a private investigator.’

‘That’s what you are, not who you are.’

‘For some jobs that’s the same thing. A bit like being a footballer, I would imagine.’

‘You’re police then, ex-police at least. That’s how you get to be a private investigator, right?’