In the early evening, Banks and Annie were sitting outside at the Queen’s Arms, in the market square, food on order and pints of Timothy Taylor’s in front of them. Luckily for them, Adrian Moss had done his Pied Piper act and spirited the media away from the market square into the press room for a spot of disinformation. The evening light was soft and warm, the shadows slowly lengthening, and the limestone was almost the color of Cotswold stone. The square was quiet. Most people are at home having dinner with the family, Banks thought, or getting ready for a night on the town.

“Cheers,” he said. “You do realize that what Jazz just told us makes your job rather . . . delicate?”

“‘Delicate’? Is that what promotion does for you, makes you use words like ‘delicate’?”

“That’s not fair.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. It just slipped out. It just doesn’t sound like the old you, that’s all. It sounds more like Adrian Moss.”

“I almost feel sorry for poor Adrian,” said Banks. “He’s certainly copped for it, hasn’t he? Two major media bombshells in a week. I’m actually relieved that your latest bit of news will keep him occupied more than anything I might do next.”

“Charming. Maybe I’d feel sorry for him, too, if he wasn’t such a wanker.”

“Adrian has his own agenda, and it’s my guess that right at the top of it is Adrian Moss.” Banks smiled. “See. I’m not so different from who I was before. I’ve just got more responsibility.”

“And power.”

“That’s a laugh.”

“Didn’t you read that report where they said not to let misguided fears about offending cultural sensitivities get in the way of nailing the bastards who exploit children? Or something along those lines.”

“I read it,” said Banks. “And I agree. But that doesn’t mean you have to go charging in like a bull in a china shop with all guns blazing. Softly, softly.”

“Softly, softly, my arse,” Annie replied. “And don’t mix your metaphors. Though the image of a bull with an AK-47 is most amusing. I don’t give a damn whether they’re brown, blue or yellow with green spots. If they drugged and raped that girl we’re going to get the bastards for it.”

“I’m with you on that, Annie,” said Banks. “It just makes things more . . . delicate. That’s all I said. I can tell you exactly what’s going to happen. Soon, the chief constable will give us all the lecture about not rocking the boat and respecting community values, Islam in particular.”

“Oh? So it’s all about the chief constable’s comfort levels, is it?”

“You know it isn’t.” Banks paused. “You’re going to have to act as SIO on this investigation, you know. Not officially. I mean, not as a DI.”