‘So, what now?’ Bryant asked as they watched Mancini close the door behind himself.

‘We gotta wait,’ she said. ‘My gut is telling me those bloody shoes mean something. It was a perfect print on Cordell’s back, and I reckon those prints in the dirt are going to tie our guy to the crime.’

‘But didn’t Nat Mansell say something about a choice?’ Bryant asked. ‘What the hell does that have to do with these guys?’

‘I don’t know,’ she said, trying to fit the pieces together in her head.

‘And these guys both have alibis for Monday night. They were both here, together.’

‘Yes, they were, weren’t they?’ Kim said, opening the car door.

‘Oh, great, what now?’ he said, already knowing that whatever it was had been prompted by something he’d said.

She strode purposefully past the door to the Mancini home and knocked on the next.

The woman who had abused them the previous day appeared wearing the same vest top and a toddler on her hip.

‘What?’ she asked.

‘You got a minute?’ Kim asked.

‘I’ve got two hungry kids under the age of three, whadda you think?’

‘We’ll be quick,’ Kim said.

She adjusted the child on her hip and waited.

‘Were you at home on Monday night, say from five or six o’clock?’

She nodded. ‘I’m always here from six o’clock,’ she added, wryly.

‘Do you remember if the Mancinis next door…’

Kim’s words trailed away as the thumping music started up.

‘No, they weren’t here,’ she said. ‘At least, he wasn’t,’ she said, nodding towards the wall.

Kim felt the excitement in her stomach. They had alibied each other, so either one or both were lying.

‘How can you be sure?’ she asked, feeling that one day was probably like another for this girl.

‘Cos if he’s home, this is what I get. Any time of the day or night.’

‘But not Monday?’ Kim asked.

She shook her head. ‘I took this one to the doctors, coughing like a good un. Got back to peace and quiet around quarter to six and—’

‘And you’re sure this was Monday?’ Kim asked.

‘Fuck me, love, you want me to write it in blood? I know when I took my kid to the quack.’

‘Thank you. You’ve been a great help,’ Kim said.

The woman offered a rare smile before closing the door.

Kim headed back to the car but paused.

‘Guv, it’s not our fight,’ he said, as she knocked loudly on the door.

‘We’re the police, Bryant. Everything’s our fight.’

‘Fair point,’ he said as he joined her in banging on the glass.

Giovanni Mancini opened the door and rolled his eyes.

‘Yeah, guys, this is now harassment.’

‘No, this is harassment,’ she shouted above the music that was blaring down the hallway.

‘Constant loud noise is intimidating, threatening and aggressive behaviour which makes it our—’

‘I can do as I please in my own home,’ he challenged.

‘Technically yes, realistically no. And is it worth losing your home over?’

‘Why are you sticking your nose?…’

‘And not just you,’ she clarified, ignoring him. ‘Once we get you in court on an ASBO the council will get involved and they’ll just throw you out. You’ve got a job so you can find somewhere else to live and the woman next door trying to raise two kids will finally get some peace. Hope your new place has got room for your dad who may or may not have a job very soon.’

She paused. ‘Or, you could just turn your music down and show her some fucking consideration,’ she said.

He swallowed.

She headed back to the car. The music had died down before she got there.

Bryant shook his head. ‘I swear, if that guy doesn’t make a formal complaint—’ He stopped speaking as her phone rang.

‘Keats,’ she said, pressing the answer button. ‘Please tell me you have something useful for me,’ she said.

‘Where are you?’ he asked.

She looked around. ‘The depths of hell.’

‘If you mean Hollytree, that’s perfect. Come around to the shops. I have someone here I think you’re going to recognise.’

‘Shit,’ Kim said, getting into the car.

She’d wanted Keats to give her something but another body wasn’t what she’d had in mind.