‘Yes,’ Adrian said, coming out of the moment and realising that he had just done some real damage to their case and probably not helped Angela in the process. Whatever they saw, whatever happened, could be explained away. It wasn’t enough.

‘Outside!’ Imogen said then stormed out.

Adrian followed her, aware that he was about to get a grilling. He deserved it.

Outside, Reece was being bundled into the back of the police car after being read his rights. Imogen put her hands on her hips and stared at Adrian.

‘Don’t look at me like that,’ he said.

‘What the fuck were you thinking? You can’t just smash your way into someone’s house without cause.’

‘We both knew what was happening in there.’

‘Well, I hate to say it, but you were lucky you were right. Still, I can’t see this sticking, can you? We know he’s got a good lawyer. You’re going to come out of this one looking like a twat.’

‘So, we just let it happen?’

‘We do our jobs. Did you even announce yourself as you walked in? He could argue that he thought you were an intruder and hit out at you.’

‘He knows who I am,’ Adrian said.

‘His lawyer will get him out. You can’t just steam in. That’s why there are rules, so that these bastards can’t get off on a technicality. Not to mention the weight you have given to any claims he might make of harassment, now.’

‘I suppose you think Jarvis was right, too?’

‘He followed procedure, that’s what he is supposed to do. Of course, I don’t think he was right, but he wasn’t technically wrong, either.’

‘Maybe he can stand by while this shit happens, but I can’t.’

‘Yeah, well if Angela’s body is the next one to turn up then that’s on you! You probably just got her killed.’

Imogen’s words hit him like a fist, as they were supposed to. He could see the regret on her face instantly; she knew she had crossed a line. This conversation was over, all evening plans cancelled. He needed some time to cool off before he responded in kind; he had enough to say something equally damaging, but who would that help? Some time alone was what he needed.

‘I’ll catch a ride back after I’ve seen the medic,’ he said flatly, his voice emotionless.

‘Adrian. Come on, I didn’t mean that.’

He walked away without looking back and made his way over to the paramedic, who was just finishing with Angela’s hand. When he looked back, Imogen was pulling away from the scene, so he pulled out his phone and called the DCI.

‘DS Miles?’ Kapoor answered.