‘Have a seat.’

As he did he took a full look round.

‘The decorators did you proud, very nice job, local lads are they?’

‘By means of Dublin.’

‘Expensive?’

‘Depends on your perspective Inspector. Tea, coffee, vodka. No, hold the phones, I’ve a nice bit o’ Britvic.’

He smiled, said, ‘Perhaps the tea.’

I got that done, put cups, milk, sugar on a tray and some strawberry jam delights. Put the spread before him, he said, ‘Now, isn’t this cosy.’

And took a biscuit, bit cautiously, said, ‘Mm… m… that is good, Marks and Spencers?’

‘Sainsbury’s.’

‘First class. I might go another.’

And he did. Then said, ‘Bit o’ news you’ll find fascinating.’

‘Oh yeah, and what would that be?’

‘The Met are to be issued with longer acrylic batons. The Home Secretary wanted to know if the longer length made a difference in physical impact injuries and has finally approved them.’

‘That is fascinating. Acrylic eh, and machine washable.’

‘I doubt you’d pop them in yer local laundrette. Meanwhile, the villains load up on Uzis and M-11’s.’

‘I do appreciate your hoppin’ round to tell me, Inspector but you could have phoned.’

‘And miss these treats, I do believe I’ll have another. That your Astra outside?’

‘It’s a repo, I’ll drop it off later.’

‘Don’t doubt it for a minute. Who’s going to play silly buggers eh? The reason I wished to see you is, I wondered if you’d any new ideas on those robberies.’

‘Not a one.’

‘Mm… m… you’re not having tea.’

‘Bit early for me.’

‘We know it’s the same two men. They nick a car and hit at random, almost like they stuck a pin in a map. What do you think?’

‘No idea.’

‘Well, that’s my job eh, but I’ll pop round from time to time let you know how the investigation’s going.’

He stood up, noisily drained his cup, headed for the door. I said, ‘It isn’t really necessary you know.’