‘We’ve been listening in on McCoy’s office for the last six months. That’s what we do: we listen in on people. We very nearly came in heavy-handed during your last meeting at his office but you managed to get yourself out of there in one piece so we decided to wait and see how it played out. I’m glad we did. So, the dongle, Gary, where is it?’

‘I thought you would have seen. They gave it to Tommy to take back to the office.’

DS Marks takes a police radio out of his bib pocket and passes on this information to his colleagues.

‘Listen, Gary, why don’t you go back to your flat and rest up? We will need to talk to you at length, but that can wait until tomorrow. Go on, fuck off, and take that dog with you.’

‘So I’m free to go?’

‘For the time being.’

‘How’s your back holding up?’

‘It’s not too bad thanks to you. I use the nettles whenever it plays up and it seems to do the trick.’

I think about recommending that he chew on some willow bark to help with the pain from the nettle rash but decide against it. All of a sudden I really want Boiler Suit Man to like me. I walk back to the flat, still shocked by the events but slightly elated that it might all be panning out in my favour. When Marks and his crew get hold of the dongle that will be the end for McCoy, Tommy and Peterson. I will have nothing to fear.

Grace greets me on the walkway outside her flat. She has been watching the events unfold.

‘That all looked very exciting. I couldn’t really tell what was going on. Are you okay? Did you keep your trap shut?’

‘I don’t think that will be necessary now. They were the proper coppers and I reckon they’re on my side. They seem to know that I am just a circumstantial prick.’

‘They’re right about that. Oh, sorry, Gary, I haven’t cleaned the knife up yet. Shall I do it now?’

‘There’s no need. The police know it’s something that McCoy’s lot were using as a potential plant. I expect the police will want it and I’m going to do everything by the book from now on. Do you mind if I go and have a lie-down? I need to think this all through and untangle my mind.’

‘Maybe you should have a bath and a mug of hot Bovril. Liquid beef is a powerful pick-me-up.’

‘No, I think I’ll save up a bath and a Bovril for when my spirits have lifted and are no longer bent towards the desperate.’