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to go wrong. Even the slightest whisper of what we’re hoping to achieve would ruin the whole thing. I propose we abandon any procedural discussions over the telephone until matters are resolved. Unless it’s of the utmost urgency, only use the phone purely to arrange meetings.’

chapter seven
    Lisa Andrews was weary. She couldn’t complain. Nash and Superintendent Edwards were working even longer hours than she was. On her drive from Helmsdale, and as she parked her car and walked across the car park towards her flat Lisa, was too tired, too preoccupied, to notice what was happening around her. In other circumstances she would have spotted the vehicle that had followed her at a discreet distance.
    She stopped outside the front door and fumbled through her bunch of keys, searching for the right one in the meagre illumination provided by the street light. ‘Good evening, Lisa.’ The voice was soft but it made her jump nonetheless.
    She spun round, instantly alarmed. ‘What are you doing here? What do you want?’ Her voice contained a rising note, of panic and anger combined.
    ‘Relax. I just want to talk to you. I thought we could at least behave like civilized human beings.’
    ‘Civilized, that’s a laugh. Civilized people don’t pester others and make a nuisance of themselves. Besides, they don’t shag their lover’s best friend.’
    ‘Lisa, I’m not going to stand here arguing the toss with you. You owe me. Half the stuff in that flat is mine by right. If I don’t get my share I’ll make your life a misery.’
    ‘I don’t know how you work that out. You’ve paid for none of it, so don’t come that game. I’ve told you before, you can piss off back to Leeds; you’re getting nothing from me.’
    Donald Smailes drew his arm back. A good slap might change her mind. Before he could strike, he felt his wrist gripped, then wrenched, then twisted behind his back. Then he felt himself being lifted by the arm alone. There was anotherslight twist and Smailes felt an excruciating pain leap from his wrist to his shoulder. He heard a popping sound from close to his collar bone. Screaming in agony, he squirmed to escape the grip, but the pain got instantly worse.
    ‘You heard what Lisa said. She told you to piss off. If you don’t, I’ll break your arm as well as dislocating your shoulder. Now, do you understand?’
    Donald had a brief glimpse of the man holding him. Then he was thrust away towards the gate. He squealed at the fresh bout of pain. ‘Oh for goodness’ sake, don’t be a wimp. It’s only a dislocation.’
    They watched the injured man stumble down the street with the sound of his moans fading into the distance. Lisa took a step back as she turned to face Alan Marshall. ‘Thank you, but how did you happen along at the right time? How did you find out where I live?’
    ‘Easy. I followed you home.’
    ‘Why did you do that?’ The recent encounter had unnerved her. The apprehension in her voice showed.
    He smiled. ‘Not for that,’ he said a trifle obscurely. ‘The fact is, I’m in a bit of trouble and I need a favour.’
    Lisa eyed him suspiciously. ‘What is it?’
    ‘I need to find out the name and address of the registered keeper of a car.’
    ‘You’ve got to be joking,’ Lisa spluttered; then added, ‘why do you need to know?’
    ‘I can’t tell you. All I can say is it’s vital. A matter of life and death. Mine to be exact.’
    Lisa swung open the door and gestured him inside. ‘Upstairs, first floor, front,’ she commanded. He’d heard that tone before. He didn’t argue.
    She opened the flat door, flicked the lights on and pointed to an armchair. ‘Sit down.’ He sat down feeling helpless in the face of her determination. ‘Right! I’ve had a busy day, a very bad day. To cap it all I had to endure meeting that dickhead. You rescued me and I’m grateful. So go ahead with your story; talk.’
    Marshall tried once more. ‘If I give you a full explanation,you might