It was James’s turn to grin. ‘They’re waiting for you there, Sullivan. In fact, the Met warned me you might pay me a visit on your way up and it turns out they were right.’

His expression went from cocky and confident to confused. He pushed his shoulders back and was about to say something when he got distracted by the headlights of an approaching vehicle and then made the mistake of flicking his head towards it. The timing couldn’t have been better for James. He saw it as the only opportunity he was going to get to avoid being shot and he went for it by lunging forward and swiping the gun with his right hand.

A shot rang out but the bullet went wide and momentum carried him forward into Sullivan, who dropped the gun and fell backwards onto the icy road.

James had the advantage and showed him no mercy. The first punch connected with Sullivan’s nose and the second smashed into his mouth.

James managed to roll to one side and stand. Sullivan tried to grab his legs but James stepped back before he got a grip and then delivered a brutal kick to the forehead.

Sullivan wailed in pain and attempted to struggle to his feet. But by then James had picked up the gun and he brought it down hard on the back of Sullivan’s head.

That was enough to leave the bastard writhing on the ground while James cuffed him.

As this was happening the unsuspecting driver who had saved James’s life suddenly appeared on the scene.

‘I’m a police officer,’ James said. ‘And this man is a dangerous criminal. Please go back to your car and wait until I’ve summoned backup.’

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

The first responders were on the scene within fifteen minutes. By then there were short queues of traffic in both directions.

James had used the time to lock Sullivan in his car after thoroughly searching both him and the vehicle. He left him lying on the back seat swearing and moaning about the throbbing pain in his head.

‘Get used to it scumbag,’ James told him. ‘You’ve got years of suffering to look forward to when you’re back behind bars.’

James put in calls to Leo Freeman and DCI Tanner to apprise them of the situation. He also rang Annie to let her know that he was running late, but he didn’t tell her why. He knew that this was news that he needed to deliver in person.