‘So, Peter, how’s things at the Home Office? Lively by the sound of it. Actually doing some work, are you? Well, wonders will never cease, will they?’

Sinclair took a sip of his brandy.

‘You’ve gone too far this time, the CIB are in on this. She’s compromised herself. As much as I like you, Patrick, you’re a known villain . . .’

He leant forward over the table. ‘To be accurate, Peter, I’m an alleged villain. My brief would have kittens if he heard you talking like that.’

Sinclair grinned. ‘Come on, Patrick, let’s cut the crap. You’re going with a senior police officer. The CIB are having kittens.’

‘The police officer you’re talking about is working on my daughter’s case.’

‘I know that, and I’m sorry about what happened to Mandy, Patrick. But Kate Burrows is another matter altogether. She’s got an ex-husband who’s kicking up a stink and threatening to go to the papers about this.’

Suddenly, it was as clear as a bell why Sinclair was here. They wanted him to sort out Burrows.

‘Supposing I was to talk to this Danny Burrows, make him see the error of his ways, what then?’

Sinclair smiled.

‘Provided he can be made to admit he was just trying to cause his wife embarrassment, everything will be fine.’

Patrick nodded and poured himself out some more brandy. ‘Would you like a cigar?’

Sinclair smiled again, happier now that he had accomplished what he came to do.

‘No, thanks, but I wouldn’t mind a piece of that excellent Cheddar.’

‘Help yourself. I’ve just got to make a phone call.’

He left the room.

Caitlin was in the middle of a very funny story, about a case he had been on as a PC, when the phone rang and Kate went out to the hall to answer it.

‘Kate, it’s me, Patrick. I must see you.’

‘I wanted to see you, actually.’

He could tell, just by the inflection in her voice, that she also had had the bad news.

‘I can get to you for seven thirty in the morning, how’s that?’

‘I’ll come to you, Pat. Lizzy’s home now.’

‘Fair enough. I’ll see you in the morning then.’

When Kate replaced the receiver she felt a shiver of apprehension go through her body.

It was going to be a choice between Patrick and her job and she wasn’t too sure who would win.

She went back to the kitchen and sat through the punchline of Caitlin’s story, but her laughter had a hollow ring to it.

Kate got up the next morning with a feeling of dread. She knew the CIB’s reputation. She also knew that a female officer, consorting with a criminal - even an alleged criminal as Patrick liked to call himself - was just their cup of tea. They would crucify her.