THE DAY WAS WARM, AND Rafferty took off his coat and jacket and flung them in the back seat before he got in the car. He lowered the driver’s side window, promising himself that one of these days, when he had the time and could afford it after all the expense the baby threatened, he’d get himself a car with air conditioning that actually worked. Something suitable to his rank. After all, he’d need something bigger and more comfortable when the baby arrived what with all the trumpery they’d have to carry around to accommodate its need for clean nappies and pushchairs.
He started the car and drove to the station. Before he reached it, the weather did its usual British trick of turning on a sixpence. The sky had become overcast and threatened rain. He thought he heard the rumble of thunder i
