Barnaby can easily imagine Kotetsu bristling over the request, but he doesn't look at him this time. Instead, he falls into the regular routine: obliges the officer with feigned brightness, writes a brief note thanking the woman for her good work, and signs it with his name.

After she's thanked him and left with her partner, Barnaby folds his arms over his chest.

"We should probably head back to the store and tell them what happened," he says after a moment. "Actually, I was on my way to see you when that man bolted across the street."