I took hold of his right wrist and pulled it gently and firmly straight out from the torso. Then yanked. There was a distinct pop and Holmes stifled his own cry into the crook of his other arm. He sank against the wall, breathing heavily. ‘I think I might need to give up on this trick.’

‘Your best idea of the day. Let us do this right, Holmes, and get you officially released. I will post bail.’

He did not move for a moment, his eyes closed in an effort to recover. ‘I must get to the rectory before the police destroy the evidence. I am not at all sure Buttons is our man, after all. But I need to confirm two details. I hope Wright—’

‘Holmes! Vitale just called for Father Lamb.’

‘Vitale called for the priest? Why?’

‘To hear his confession,’ I said. ‘I didn’t realize Vitale was a religious man.’

‘He isn’t. Don’t you remember “if there is a God”?’

‘Then what would drive a man to—?’

‘Stop!’ Holmes held up a finger. ‘Be quiet.’ For five seconds he was a perfect statue. His face reflected something I had witnessed before. It was like the tumblers of a lock, clicking into place inside his mind.

Vitale killed Dillie. It had to be. The loss of a ring he could not afford to lose. The quiet, logical demeanour masking a roiling, tumultuous emotional life, a love he had never experienced, ripped from his grasping hands. By now I had become more adept at following my friend’s logic. And now, consumed with guilt, needing to confess—

‘Where is Leo Vitale being held?’ Holmes asked quietly.

‘I am not sure. I think they put him in some kind of overflow cell somewhere behind this building. In the stables.’

Holmes leaped to the door and peered into the hallway beyond. It was empty.

‘Watson, there is no time. Listen to me carefully. Go and get Hadley. Bring him to Vitale’s cell. And hurry! A man’s life depends on it!’ And he was up and running down the hall before I could stop him.

I hurried to the front of the station. ‘Inspector Hadley?’ I asked the man behind the desk.

‘Just left,’ said the fellow, nodding towards the entrance.

I departed on a run.

CHAPTER 41

A Spot of Trouble

Outside, the rain had stopped, and it had washed the dense air clean. I saw Hadley down the street, walking quickly, the morning light highlighting his tan-coloured summer Mackintosh.

‘Mr Hadley!’ I shouted. My injured leg made running difficult.

He turned to see me limping after him.

‘Mr Holmes has asked for you, sir! Can you please come back with me?’

‘Dr Watson, I am sorely in need of a good breakfast. Perhaps you should join me. We can discuss bail for Mr Holmes.’

‘Leo Vitale has asked Father Lamb to hear his confession!’