Love You Dead

116 Saturday 14 March

With Jodie’s hands cuffed behind her back, Potting was right behind, escorting her up the stairs and along the corridor, followed by several officers. She stopped beside a door and turned to Potting.

‘There’s a wardrobe just inside, to the left. If you open the door you’ll find a remote. Press it.’

Potting did as he was told. Instantly the wall at the end of the corridor slid open to reveal the glass door behind it.

‘Holy shit!’ someone exclaimed in horror.

A small, shaven-headed man, in an anorak, jeans and trainers, his eyes bulging, lay on the floor, motionless, with an enormous brown-and-beige-patterned snake entwined round his body and neck. Crawling about on the floor were several large black hairy spiders as well as some light brown scorpions, one of which was on the man’s neck.

‘Don’t go in!’ said a voice behind them.

They all turned to see Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, in a dark suit, shirt and tie, standing beside a man dressed like a bee-keeper in a hooded white protective suit, padded gloves and a large glass mask. ‘This is Dr Rearden, a reptile expert from London Zoo. He’ll deal with this.’

Public Order officers were a tough bunch, used to dealing with anything. Norman Potting had never seen them step away with such relief on their faces as when the reptile expert moved forward.

‘Be our guest!’ Potting said, as Rearden opened the glass door, went through and shut it rapidly behind him.

‘Well, look who’s in there! If it isn’t our friend, Mr Tooth!’ Grace said. ‘What a surprise! All wrapped up for me — and it isn’t even my birthday!’