Porter looked over at the two drugs squad detectives again. Whittaker was looking at an imaginary spot on the wall, an uneasy look on his face. Anderson, unless Porter was much mistaken, looked pleased with himself, betrayed by the corners of his mouth twitching like a tic.

‘Mr Locke and Mr Bolton met with them earlier when they visited Atlas. Mr Locke is astounded that he or any of his associates are suspects, and has offered us full access to his properties to inspect as we see fit, as a show of good faith. In addition, Mr Bolton has requested we check his phone records as a means of clearing his name. Turns out that based on the location of his phone, he had in fact left the premises and was seven miles away in a Chinese restaurant. That plus the statement from the manager means he’s clear. It means you do not touch him.’

His last four words were spoken slowly for emphasis, as if for the benefit of a small child. Porter stared at him hard. The phone location meant nothing where a man like Bolton was concerned. He could have easily slipped it to someone else to drive it there for him. He employed the manager of the restaurant. It was paper thin, and Milburn knew that as well as he did, but it served to put Bolton off limits for the murders, and in play for the drugs. Milburn didn’t give a shit how Bolton went down, as long as he did, and as long as he and his team got the credit for it. Porter’s stomach knotted in anger. The fact he could sell out his own for personal gain put him almost on par with Locke as far as he was concerned, but he couldn’t let the animosity show. Milburn had the ability to make life difficult for him. Very difficult indeed.

‘Are we clear, Detectives?’ Milburn addressed the question to all four men.

He heard the others murmur an acknowledgement, and tried not to speak through gritted teeth when he gave his own.

‘Good. I’m sure I don’t need to tell any of you the consequences for going your own way on this one.’

A flash of shark-like teeth, and Milburn closed the notebook he had in front of him. ‘Let’s reconvene at five, then.’