‘Call it in. I can hear a domestic disturbance and fear that there is an attack taking place inside the house,’ he said to Imogen, who was approaching the house. ‘I’m going in.’

‘Be careful,’ Imogen said.

Adrian picked a rock from the path and smashed the window on the front door. He reached inside and flipped the latch to let himself in. He threw the rock back down and slowly walked into the house. The arguing was coming from the back. He heard something smash and rushed forwards.

Angela was on the floor, surrounded by smashed crockery, her hand covered in blood. If Adrian was going to guess, he would say she was thrown against the dresser. She was crying. Reece looked up, shocked to see Adrian in his kitchen. Before he had a chance to speak, Adrian swung hard at him, the flat of his fist connecting with Corrigan’s jaw.

Reece was a big man and while the punch stunned him, it didn’t take him out; nor did it stop him. He turned around and punched Adrian in the side. Adrian jumped back in time to lessen the impact, but he felt his ribs jar all the same.

They both swung at each other again. Imogen rushed in and helped Angela into a chair. Reece grabbed Adrian by the hair.

‘Who the fuck do you think you are?’ He smacked Adrian’s face into the counter.

‘I could say the same to you. Never mind assaulting your wife, assaulting a police officer? That’s not going to look so good, is it?’ Adrian said, running his hand across his nose, checking for blood.

‘I’ll have your job for this,’ Reece hissed.

‘We’ve got you, Corrigan, just remember that,’ Adrian said, smiling through bloodied teeth.

If there was one way to upset a man like Corrigan, it was to belittle him in some way. Corrigan was tough, though; he didn’t seem to rile easily. Unless you were married to him.

‘We’ll see. I’ve come up against bigger and badder men than you, Detective. You’ll live to regret the day you ever met me. I’ll see to that.’

The police sirens outside got louder and two officers burst in, wrestling Reece to the ground on his front. Adrian’s chest was heaving; he wasn’t done. He wanted to punch the man a couple more times. He looked over to Imogen, who wore a mixture of concern and anger.

‘You won’t be able to hold him,’ Angela said through tears.

‘The paramedic will be here in a moment to take care of your hand.’

As Imogen said it, the paramedics walked into the kitchen.

‘What’s your name, love?’ the paramedic said to Angela.

Imogen smiled and let them take over from her. She walked towards Adrian.

‘Are you OK?’ Imogen asked Adrian, not so much concerned as annoyed.