Chapter Five
IT WAS GONE TEN BY the time Rafferty left his Ma’s house. He was too tired for much more than the briefest civility to Harry Chan the takeaway’s owner.
As he waited for Harry to bring his order, he ruminated on the day’s developments. Was Ma’s description of the suspects they so far had, accurate? Ma wasn’t beyond exaggeration to improve a tale. Had Jaws Harrison gone into the alley for the reason he had surmised — that of gaining access to the homes of the debtors who left front door knocks unanswered? Or had he had another reason for sneaking around the back alley?
The weather was still cold and damp and though the rain had eased off markedly, the wind had turned even more blustery with evening. Rafferty was glad to get back in the car and head home to Abra.
When he reac
