7
Inspector Keith Jacobs looked up from the files on his desk and strained to hear what the commotion outside his office was all about. Unable to make out the exact content through his office door, he rose from his chair and decided to investigate.
In the foyer he found his desk sergeant trying, unsuccessfully, to calm down an irate man who was leaning on the counter and shaking his fist in the air as he shouted.
Jacobs recognised the man as Charlie Spate, the local odd-job man and town drunk. Judging by the man’s condition it was obvious to the inspector that he had already enjoyed a skinful that day, even though it was still not even noon.
As Jacobs approached the desk, the uniformed sergeant turned and gave him a look that conveyed he had all but given up trying to reason with the d
