‘Isn’t that the sort of thing your computers can tell you?’

‘Easier if I ask you.’

‘That’s what you think.’ Renshaw gave a grin. Jane could feel that her phone was vibrating in her pocket. She took it out and held it to her ear, pushing a finger into her other ear to block out the noise. It was Bob.

‘Got some news,’ he said.

‘Go ahead.’

‘Door-to-door got lucky. They were talking to one of the neighbours and he asked them if they could do anything about the car that was blocking his skip. He’s got a lorry coming this morning and it needs space so it can haul the skip away.’

‘With you so far.’ Jane had turned away from Renshaw so she could concentrate on the call.

‘Well, the neighbour doesn’t recognise the car. It’s bright green, some sort of sports model. It’s legally parked, and most times we wouldn’t bother, but this particular team is sharper than most. They ran a check. Car belongs to Mr Benjamin Flowers.’

‘Don’t tell me you know him?’

‘I’m better than any computer, Jane, and I’m looking forward to that box of chocolates. Soft centres only, please.’

‘I’m on my way to buy them, just as soon as you tell me who he is.’

‘He’s known as Benjy. He’s Don Empson’s nephew. And he works for Stewart Renshaw. Guess whose brother he is…’

Jane raised her eyes towards the sky. It was hard to take it all in. She saw that George Renshaw was looking up too. There was a huge magnet hanging from the arm of the crane. A large car swung from it. And though she could see mostly its underside and wheels, she thought she recognised the make. Ignoring Renshaw, and still holding her phone to her ear, she marched towards the crane.

‘Shut it off!’ she yelled.

The driver ignored her. She stuffed her phone back in her pocket and lifted out her warrant card, opening it and holding it up in front of the crane.

‘I’m ordering you to shut it off!’ she yelled. Then, turning towards Renshaw, ‘Tell him!’