‘What do you mean, I don’t have a choice?’ Danny felt his anger building. ‘Of course I have a choice.’ He ducked into the driver’s seat of his car, pulling the door shut and closing the window.

‘I was really hoping you would just agree. I would much rather that was the case. Now the police have Marcus Olsen’s body it can quickly get rather out of control. There are no links to you at this stage but that is very easily rectified.’

‘Links? What do you mean? You told me this was sorted, and a link to me puts you at risk too when I tell them what I know. You said that was the last thing you wanted.’

‘And what do you know, Mr Evans? Ask yourself that. And then think how it might all sound under questioning, when you talk about how you met a man in a bar while you were intoxicated who set this whole thing up. How do you think that sounds? What checkable facts do you have about me that back up that suggestion?’

‘The police have ways, they can do things, find things out. They’ll still come looking for you. I know you have something to do with a girl that was abused by Olsen, or at least you were hired by someone who does. I’ll tell them that and they can start there.’

‘Which girl? Was it even one who reported herself to be a victim, or did I tell you that I work for people who don’t necessarily go to the police first – or at all? You need to listen more, Mr Evans. And you need to understand your position better too. If you want to bail out on this now then you will stop receiving my assistance. My client is quite insistent. He wants his vengeance and so far you’ve done half a job. Without me you’ll just be a plain old murderer. And I don’t clean up after murderers.’

‘Hang on just a fucking second—’

‘Two p.m. Drive to the Cliffe Hotel on Dover’s seafront. There is a bench on the promenade opposite in loving memory of Henry Reachman. Be sitting in it at 2 p.m. I will have clear instructions. It will be very easy.’

‘And if I don’t?’

‘The police will be a step closer to finding a murderer.’

Chapter 12

Danny didn’t go to Dover’s seafront. He went to see his daughter instead. He wasn’t a man who appreciated being backed into a corner, not when he was sure he was being bluffed. Nothing good could come from putting Danny in the spotlight for the murder of Marcus Olsen; not for anyone.