Chapter One
‘With half the city in his pocket, he could’ve found a better way to die,’ said Inspector Irvin as he leant over the corpse that lay sprawled on the floor in a wan patch of light.
‘And, I bet, a better time.’
This voice belonged to a tall, lean figure that stood alone by the window, looking out at the incessant rain. His black glossy mac seemed a rather expensive choice for getting around in such weather. The inspector’s outfit, though, was simple: a flat cap and pea-coat — both of a dark colour. He was a sturdy man who looked more like a bouncer than a senior investigator. Leaning in even further, Irvin cocked his head to the side to get a better look at the corpse’s neck.