‘You listen to me now! George Markham, whatever he’s done, is in mortal danger and we must do something about it. Patrick Kelly has sworn he’s going to kill him and I know he will. He is aware of George Markham’s whereabouts, and we have a duty to protect that man so he can stand trial.’

Her chest was heaving and Flowers took a crafty peek at it before answering. Like this, with two red temper marks on her cheeks and her face glowing, he could see what Kelly saw in her. Her dark silky hair had been hastily pinned up in a French pleat and shone in the weak February sun.

‘You have no proof of this, Burrows, it’s all conjecture on your part. From information I have received, Markham is on a fly drive holiday to his sister’s. The finding of his wife’s body will not be in the newspapers and Markham will fly back to England none the wiser that we have tumbled him. As he steps off the plane on to British soil he will be arrested.’

‘But that’s just it! He’ll be coming back to England in a bloody coffin.’ Kate clenched her fists. ‘I have every reason to believe that Patrick Kelly has put a price on his head.’

Caitlin closed his eyes. Oh, Katie, he thought, you stupid woman.

‘Look, Burrows, I think you’re overwrought. I think you should go home and have a good think about all you’ve just said. They’re very serious allegations and unless you have concrete evidence I would advise you to keep your thoughts to yourself. Patrick Kelly is not above suing us for defamation of character. I might add that after listening to your hysterical ramblings, I wouldn’t blame him.’

Kate opened her mouth to speak. Flowers held up his hand for silence, but she ignored him.

‘You’re all in on it, aren’t you?’ Her voice was low and bitter. ‘Oh, I know that no one could actually put your faces in the frame, no more than they’ll be able to put Kelly’s. But you all know the score, don’t you? You’re all quite willing to let him collect his debt, aren’t you?’

Her voice was disgusted and Caitlin at least had the grace to look away.

‘I must have been living in some kind of fools’ paradise. I honestly believed in my work. You must all think I’m a cretin.’ She poked a finger at Flowers and he flinched as it came within an inch of his face. ‘Well, I’ll settle you lot if it’s the last thing I do.’

Flowers found his voice.