Annoyed murmurs began to move through the room like a mounting wave.

Malcolm, ever the peacemaker, thanked him, but repeated firmly that it was a private function and not open to the general public.

Spotting Greg behind the bar, Stratton called out to him. ‘Come on, Taylor, tell them we’re okay.’

As all eyes turned his way to see what his response might be, Greg knew what he must do.

‘I’m sorry, Mr Stratton, as I explained earlier, this is a private function arranged by the community council for local residents only.’

That wasn’t what Stratton expected or wanted to hear from his head keeper.

‘Since I am one of the owners of the Blackrig Estate,’ Stratton said coldly, ‘I consider myself a local.’

The audacity of this statement didn’t go down well with his audience. As he began his walk to the bar, the crowd surged forward to block his route.

Shouts of ‘Fuck off’ and ‘Bastard’ peppered the air. Josh and his mates, who’d been standing near the stage, began to push through the crowd towards him.

‘You murdered my wee sister, you fucking bastard,’ Josh shouted as he flew at Stratton.

Greg was already out from behind the bar and on his way into the melee, Malcolm pushing through from the opposite direction.

Greg got there first to drag Josh off his boss and secure him, while Malcolm tried to help a shaken Stratton to his feet.

Shouts of ‘Police, break it up’ were quickly followed by the arrival of Snyder with two male officers, one of them Harry.

As the crowd parted to let them through, all went silent, except for laboured breathing from Stratton in particular.

‘That man assaulted me. Arrest him,’ Stratton demanded.

‘Right, you and you’ – Snyder pointed at Josh and Stratton – ‘outside.’ He nodded at Malcolm and Greg. ‘You too. The rest stay in here.’ His tone brooked no argument.

Greg did as asked, fully aware that his job with Global Investment Holdings might well have just ended. At that moment he didn’t give a damn. He’d tried to warn Stratton, but the bastard just wouldn’t listen.

Out now in the street, Snyder stood in silence for a moment before addressing Stratton. ‘That was a private function, Mr Stratton. It says so clearly on the sign. Why did you force entry to it?’

Stratton was regaining his cool. Ignoring the question, he said, ‘That man,’ pointing at Josh, ‘assaulted me, officer, in front of witnesses. I demand he be charged.’

Behind Greg, the group who’d managed to cram in the doorway breathed in as one.

Snyder’s firm expression didn’t alter. ‘I repeat, why did you force entry to a private party, sir?’

Greg had been impressed with the detective when under his penetrating gaze. He was even more so now.

‘As owner of the Blackrig Estate, I am entitled to enter,’ Stratton declared.