Reece rolled his eyes, exasperated, annoyed that Angela was even there. Angela Corrigan was the only one invested in trying to keep up the pretence that he hadn’t done this. She had the most to lose.

‘Mrs Corrigan, if you make a formal complaint, we can arrest your husband,’ Imogen said.

‘No. I won’t. This wasn’t Reece. You need to leave us alone,’ she implored.

Adrian pulled out a business card and handed it to Angela, who took it reluctantly. He could see that she was resolute and he had a decision to make. He could either lay Reece out now with a swift punch, or they could step away and come back when Angela was alone. He knew which one he would rather do, but in the long run that helped no one but Corrigan. They were powerless. There was nothing to do now but walk away.

‘Call me if you need anything. Any issue at all,’ Adrian smiled.

‘Mr Corrigan.’ Imogen nodded and tugged on Adrian’s elbow.

Adrian stepped away from the house and walked back to the car, getting in the passenger seat. The anger coursed through him with force.

Imogen started the car and they drove out of the street. He watched Reece slowly close the door as they pulled out of sight and turned the corner. Corrigan was waiting until they were totally gone before dealing with Angela.

‘Pull the car over,’ Adrian said.

‘What is it now?’ Imogen said.

‘We wait ten minutes and then go back.’

‘We’ll get done for harassment at this rate, Adrian. We’ve already been warned,’ Imogen said.

Adrian folded his arms and leaned back in the seat, waiting for the ten minutes to pass. That should be enough time. Corrigan wasn’t a measured man. He was angry when they had left the house and so it was only a matter of time, a short amount of time, before he punished his wife, Angela.

Adrian could feel Imogen’s eyes burning into him as he stared ahead. How could she ever understand this? Maybe she was right and he was taking it a bit too personally, but he didn’t feel like he had a choice. He couldn’t leave Angela to the mercy of her husband. An image of her tangled in the riverbank flashed in his memory.

‘Is this about her?’ Imogen asked.

‘What?’

‘We’ve been on cases like this before, domestic abuse cases, and I’ve never seen you so angry. What is it about Angela that has you so riled? Is it because she’s young and pretty?’ Imogen said.

‘What are you saying? Do you think I fancy her? Are you actually jealous?’ Adrian said incredulously.

‘She’s beautiful. I wouldn’t blame you if you did,’ Imogen said.