I flipped open the dossier and quickly reviewed the contract that it contained. I would get my week off after all. I shuffled a photograph to the top of the papers and closed the dossier again.

“Sir James,” I said.

Startled, he turned back to face me. “How do you know me? We’ve never met.”

I pushed the dossier toward him. I rarely met my cases face to face like this, yet I knew what would happen next: the look.

He paused, then opened the dossier to find his photograph. His eyes widened and he blanched. His mouth dropped open. He looked at me. Bang. He rocked back on his heels, then crumpled to the floor in a heap. I put the pistol back into the desk. I loved that ‘deer in the headlights’ look.

I scribbled a note for my secretary: Johnny, please clean up the mess in my office. Call the mortuary to collect the body for inhumation. Get all of the paperwork off to Court, mortuary, family and LoA. Then take a paid week off: do something exciting. PJ

I shut off the lights and locked the office door.