He left the pub and checked that his car was locked. He would never dream of driving, not in his state. As he walked, his mind rehearsed the events of the evening, desperately seeking a solution. Every puzzle had a solution somewhere.

When David entered the pub, his relaxed air and cheery greeting told Taylor that his son was unaware of the storm he was about to run into.

Sitting down with a pint for himself and a half and a half for his father, he casually opened the conversation.

‘Not that it’s other than nice to see you for a drink, but what do you want, and why this dump? Christ, this is the back of bloody beyond. You haven’t gone and got some WPC in the club have you, dad?’

‘That was stupid, bloody stupid!’

‘It was only a joke.’

‘Don’t fuck with me, David. You know what I’m talking about. You know fucking well what I’m talking about. Now tell me what you thought you were playing at and why. I also want to know who else was involved. Don’t make matters worse by lying to me. Right now I’m speaking to you as your father, but don’t think for a second that I can forget that we are both police officers and I am your superior. Talk to me. Make me understand what this is all about. Think before you speak. Think very bloody carefully, but speak.’

David Taylor felt as if an icy hand had reached inside him, grasped his bowels and began to twist and squeeze. He wanted to run, anywhere, but his heart was beating at such a rate that he was sure it would burst if even the slightest strain was placed upon it. In any event, he knew his legs would not support his weight.

Lifting his glass he choked down a mouthful of the beer which suddenly tasted stale. He fought to control the shaking as his hand returned the glass to the table. He knew he was caught, and lying was pointless.

‘I’m waiting, David.’

‘What’s the problem here? Gallagher is guilty. Either he did it or he ordered it. I know it and you know it. We had a word with a witness just to make sure he didn’t screw it. Don’t tell me you have never had a word in the odd ear?’

‘The problem is you didn’t just have a word. You put the frighteners on a Crown witness. You threatened him. More to the point you made him change his evidence.’

‘We just told him to say that he was sure. What’s the problem?’