As PC Connors looked into the darkened alley, he caught the glint of light through a frosted window at the end of it. Curious, he walked towards it. He had been on this beat for years and he was sure that this dead end lead to nothing. If there was a business there, he wanted to know about it. He had made a lucrative deal over the last 4 years by taking protection money from local businesses and he knew that letting one go would just encourage the others. As he walked closer, he could see the light came from a quartet of frosted windows in a wooden doorway. A carved sign on the lintel read "The Anubis Bar" and below it was a line of what looked like Egyptian heiroglyphics.

Connors pushed on the door and it swung open revealing a warmly lit interior. He could smell the wood from an open fire mingling with the smells of alcohol from behind the bar. He stepped inside. The bar seemed empty at first, but then he realised there were several dimly lit figures sat in booths lining the wall. Although the lighting was clear, something kept the booths shadowy. A movement behind the bar drew his attention & he saw a man stood watching him. The man was huge - 6ft7" with a skin that was either heavily tanned or betraying a middle eastern background. Connors could clearly see he was well-muscled as he was wearing a black leather waistcoat that hung open. His legs were snugged into tight black leather trousers and Connors wondered what kind of bar this was.

He stepped forward to the bar

"Hi. Haven't seen you here before. Are you new?"

The man replied in a low rumbling voice "New, Officer, no not at all. In fact we are very, very old." He chuckled, a humourless laugh that revealed large, pearly white teeth and somehow left Connors feeling unsettled. Connors shuddered and then tucked his hands into his belt and drew himself up to his full height of 6ft2". He knew he was an impressive sight, with his shirt swollen by his muscles and his blunt face capable of intimidating virtually anyone.

"That's as maybe, but I need to talk to you about..."

"The money?" The giant interrupted him and pointed to a bag on the far end of the bar. " But of course. Your money is there, Officer Connors."

Connors checked inside the bag to see what was in there and found it full of rolled up £20 notes. His heart leaped - this was the jackpot. With this amount of money he could do whatever he wanted - he could finally get out of this damn job. He hefted the bag and stepped towards the door.

"But Officer, surely you won't leave without a drink?"

Connors hesitated for a moment and then stepped back to the bar

"Why not - get me a beer."

"Of course." In seconds a beer was in front of him and Connors sipped at it. The nutty taste was a surprise and he soon had the glass empty. He stood preparing to leave, but something was bothering him. There was something else he needed to do here.