‘Detective Smith – Terry Bennett,’ I said, and they both gave a cursory ‘Gidday’, or mumble to that effect, before Smithy gestured back towards the crowd.

‘We’ve got a little problem with the guy in the cage.’

‘What kind of a problem?’ I asked.

‘An immovable one. Not only has he padlocked himself in, but he’s also driven pegs down and secured the cage from the inside. I can’t shift it.’

‘Oh, bloody marvellous,’ Terry Bennett boomed. ‘Now he’s stuck there for God knows how long. I’ve got a show tonight. How the hell do I get the crowds in with that git stuck there, yelling at everyone?’

‘We could get a crane in and pull him up,’ Smithy suggested.

It was an idea, but one that would provide the perfect fodder for the television crews waiting for just such a spectacle. I could imagine it headlining the evening news, with plenty of choice sound bites coming from the bloke dangling in mid-air. No, there had to be a better way.

‘Well,’ I said as I looked up at the big top. ‘There’s no show without the star.’ I turned back to the circus guys. ‘Do you have any tarpaulins or a marquee that would fit over that cage?’

Terry Bennett’s face broke into a grin – probably for the first time that day. Yep, definitely a smoker and in need of some serious dental work.

‘I’m sure we can find something for the job,’ he said, and he and two of his cohorts disappeared around the back of the enormous tent.

‘Let’s go deal with the rest of the protesters,’ I said to Smithy, setting off towards the action. I thought it very quaint how he liked to let me take control, even though we both knew damned well who called the shots.

The protesters group seemed to number around twenty, but the spectators had grown to more than fifty and had inched their way closer to the action. I went for the spectators first. It was moments like these I wished I had my police blues on again, instead of the civvies – black trousers and white shirt – that had become my substitute. People knew how to behave around a uniform.

‘Police,’ I yelled, trying to be heard above the general chatter and hoping like hell they could see me. ‘Okay, everyone, I’m going to have to ask you all to move back to the roadside. Come on, move back please, people. Clear the space here, thank you.’

Smithy worked the group over to the right of me, and I was relieved when they immediately obliged. It was easier than herding sheep. The only exception was the camera crew who steadfastly refused to budge. Surprise.