The sun had almost set, when figures entered the underpass from each end. At one end Joe could see a silhouette of tall man, at the other a shorter man carrying a stick. He tightened his grip on his cane and waited for them to get to him. Before they arrived an access cover shifted in front of him and a youngster with blue hair climbed out. She was followed by another young woman, who looked at him suspiciously.

"Leave your cane against the wall," she ordered. "Jimmy brought one for ...