‘Let’s just say it was discussed first by your superiors, shall we?’

The message in Ratchette’s voice was clear enough to Kate but she still wasn’t happy about it. Though she was elated that the blood testing was going to happen she was not too sure about the mysterious way it had come about. But Ratchette’s tone would brook no more questions. She changed tack.

‘So how many mobile units are we getting? I think that if we take the units to all the big firms, men will be forced to take the test in front of their colleagues. We could catch our man out like that.’

‘First things first. We’re getting eight different mobile units. We’ll concentrate on the bigger firms first. There’s the Ford plant and the electronics factory for starters. We’ll also set one up in the town centre. Every male in the age group will be sent letters and documentation that can be produced to prove they have had the test. The sixth form colleges etcetera will be done systematically, and pensioners and the unemployed will be approached by letter to visit one of the mobile units on specified days. It’s all in hand. All we have to do now is begin the groundwork. It’s going out on local radio and television today, so everyone will be aware of what is happening. Firms will be asked to notify us of people who have suddenly taken holidays or sick leave. I think that we’ve covered just about every angle. Anyone on the electoral register who does not take the test will be immediately under suspicion, until we can cancel them out.’

‘Come on, Katie, it’s ten past twelve. I’ll buy you a drink and a sandwich.’ Caitlin stood up and winked at Ratchette.

Kate stood up and stared into her superior’s face.

‘Thank you, sir.’

Ratchette smiled.

‘Go and get some lunch, Kate. You’ll be working like a beaver now, setting all this up with us and keeping your lines of inquiry open. It’s going to be a hard old slog, you realise that?’

‘Yeah.’

Kate and Caitlin left the room.

Ratchette sat down. Kate Burrows obviously did not realise it but she had a powerful ally in Patrick Kelly. A very powerful ally indeed.

Kate bit into a beef and tomato sandwich, surprised at how hungry she was. She watched Caitlin chatting up the barmaid as he ordered their drinks. She chewed the sandwich slowly, savouring the rich taste. There was something wrong but she did not know what. Caitlin ambled back to the table with her vodka and tonic and his pint of Guinness with whisky chaser.

‘What’s going on, Kenny?’ Kate rarely called him by his first name so it gave the question an edge.

Caitlin sipped his Guinness before answering.