‘So, it’s over.’ Danny let out a long sigh. ‘I appreciate you meeting me, putting my mind at rest, letting me in on the bigger picture. I had questions. Last night was just emotions, you know? I got there, I read what there was and I didn’t even think. But when that shotgun went off it was like flicking a switch. I knew what I had done and I just needed to get away. I don’t want to be worrying about him, he’s a piece of shit, he doesn’t deserve for anyone to be thinking about him. I just wish he was still rotting on the seabed.’

‘I understand.’

Danny patted his thighs and took a final, long swig of his drink. Now the tension was gone he could feel the exhaustion creeping back in. Maybe tonight he would actually be able to get some sleep without needing half a bottle of rum. He had a meeting about his new job in the morning. He could be in good shape for it. For a moment, he flushed with good feelings, like this could be the start of the rest of his life.

‘Well then, have a nice life.’ Danny stood up.

‘There is a little more to this story.’ The man stayed seated. The half-smile was back. He rubbed at his facial hair then his arms fell open by his side.

‘Is there anything more I need to know?’ Danny said, his good feeling leaking away for anxiety to creep back in.

‘There’s a little more you need to do.’

‘Do? I would say I was done, wouldn’t you? The man …’ Danny was suddenly aware that he was standing up and talking louder. He surveyed the bar again. There was only one punter left that he could see: an elderly gent who looked to be struggling with rolling a cigarette at the bar. Lank-hair was out of sight completely. ‘The man’s gone,’ Danny hissed.

‘He didn’t work alone. There’s one other who was significant. She was key to a lot of his offending.’

‘She? A woman?’

‘Happens more than you think. People find people. Think about it, your passion is football, how many of the mates you have now did you meet through that passion? Sex offenders are no different.’

‘What, they join clubs, do they? All meet up on a Wednesday night under the floodlights to fiddle with kids?’

‘Almost. The internet, Danny, it’s changed the world and mostly for the worse. Swap a kickabout then a pint for an online chatroom and an exchange of images, videos or worse. And if your penchant is underage girls or curious boys there’s no better ally than a woman. And this woman will definitely not be concerning herself with the loss of contact with Mr Olsen. She will move on quickly and she will be in high demand.’