'Is that a threat, Inspector?'
Delaney stepped in closer. 'Does it sound like a threat?'
Archer moved back into the corner of the lift. 'Don't touch me.' His hand involuntarily went up to touch his nose. 'She tell you she was fucking me the night before?'
Delaney was taken aback. 'Last night?'
Archer's eyes flickered as he corrected himself. 'Not last night. The night before. She picked me up in the Holly Bush and took me back to hers. I told her it was just a one-night stand, but she wanted more.'
Delaney didn't say anything, taking it in.
Archer could see his words had hit home. 'Your problems with her are nothing to do with me,' he said as the lift door opened and he hurried past Delaney out of the lift.
Delaney watched him go then stabbed his finger on the ground-floor button. He couldn't blame Kate, it was exactly the sort of thing he would have done. He remembered that night, he remembered the hot breath of Stella Trant whispering in his ear. He had no moral high horse to ride on. He had no justification for being angry with Kate. But rationalisation was one thing, emotion another. The truth was he was fucking furious. He slammed his open hand hard against the side of the lift as the doors opened. A couple of nurses stepped back as he stormed past, but if he felt at all apologetic for startling them it certainly didn't show on his face.
Out in the car park Delaney opened the passenger door to his car, and got in, banging it behind him. Sally tried to fire up the engine as Delaney pulled out his mobile phone and punched in some numbers. The Saab coughed ineffectually a few times but turned over eventually after Sally gave the accelerator a couple of prods with her foot.
'When did you last have this serviced, sir?'
Delaney didn't answer. Instead he looked out of the passenger window as his call was answered.
'Jimmy, it's Jack. Have you got anything for us?'
'Nothing new,' Skinner answered.
'I'm just leaving South Hampstead Hospital, we've got a lead on the flasher.'
'Right.'
'Norrell hasn't regained consciousness and the other guy is holding to his story.'
'You believe him?'
'I believe they went after Norrell because they thought he was a nonce. But I don't believe that was why they were sicced on to him in the first place.'
'You being careful, Jack?'
'I'm doing what has to be done.'
'Keep me posted.'
Jack closed his phone and gestured at Sally. 'Come on, move it.'
'Chalk Farm, sir?'
'Not just yet.'
'Sir?'
Delaney looked at his watch. 'Pinner Green.'
Sally nodded and pulled the car away as Delaney's phone rang. He looked at who was calling and answered it. 'Hi, Diane.'
'Where are you, Jack?'
'Just following up a lead.'
'The boss wants you in for a press conference.'
'I'll get there when I can.'
'This lead, is it in connection with the South
