Officers and support staff were filing back into the building. The excitable hum sounded like children returning to the classroom after sports day. Everyone was whispering about what might have been in the package. No one but the team would be told. Chips had spoken to Burgone on the phone, while Nasreen had arranged for the package to be prioritised at the lab. Matt Snow had packed Lottie’s hair into a plastic evidence bag, dehumanising her further. Who would do such a thing? The need to look into the person calling himself Liam, who’d published the obscene images of Chloe and Lottie, burned brighter still. If he had her, they had to reach him fast. The photos, the video, and now Lottie’s hair – it was escalating.
Nasreen made it to three metres from the office before DI Saunders caught up with her.
‘What the hell do you think you’re playing at, Cudmore?’
‘All right, lad.’ Chips indicated the empty meeting room. ‘This isn’t the place.’
Saunders ignored the door and stepped closer to her. His voice was restrained, simmering, ticking down to Armageddon. The fear of the explosion greater than the force itself. It was an interrogation technique she’d seen him use on suspects. ‘You disobeyed a direct order bringing Freddie Venton here. That’s a disciplinary offence, Sergeant.’
‘Give over, Pete, we’ve lost enough time on this. I told you I cleared her to speak to the lass.’
‘You’ve always been a sucker for a pretty face, Chips.’
A hot wash of anger poured over her. ‘There are valid reasons to talk to Freddie in relation to this case. The suicide notes sent allegedly from Chloe Strofton and Lottie Burgone were both acrostics of “Apollyon.” The perp also sent copies of Lottie’s messages and videos directly to Freddie. Freddie was heavily involved in the Apollyon case: she could provide intelligence that could be key.’
‘She’s a civilian. She shouldn’t be anywhere near this building,’ said Saunders.
Chips folded his arms, his face unmoved. ‘I’ve been around long enough to know that when someone offers you help on a case – especially one like this – you take it, Pete.’
‘What help?’ Burgone appeared round the corner. Her heart lurched. His tie was loosened at the collar, as if he’d been tugging at it. A hint of red rimmed his eyes. Had he been crying? Had he seen his sister’s hair reduced to evidence in a plastic baggie?
Nasreen repressed the desire to reach out and touch him. Instead she seized her chance. ‘Sir, I have reason to believe there is a possible link between the Apollyon case I worked on previously and …’
‘Lottie?’ he said, his eyes wide. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Not a hundred per cent, but enough to ask Freddie Venton, the woman who consulted on that case, to help us. If she can.’
‘Your old school friend?’ Burgone said.
This time she felt her ears burn. It sounded preposterous. ‘She’s a digital expert.’
‘I’m not happy about this, guv,’ Saunders said.
‘They’ve turned up some good, and relevant, leads,’ said Chips. She could kiss him.
‘Are we any closer to finding who took Lottie?’ His sister’s name crashed and broke over his tongue.
‘We’re following up a number of enquiries,’ Chips answered.
All of which had been delayed by the last hour’s actions. Was that deliberate? Had the kidnapper sent the hair to slow them down?
‘I’d like to keep Freddie involved, sir. In an advisory role. She’s worked with the police before. My former DCI, Moast, will vouch for her.’ Hopefully. They hadn’t had the best working relationship, but ultimately she thought he’d been won round by Freddie’s commitment, if nothing else.
‘Do you think she’ll be helpful, Chips?’ asked Burgone.
‘I think it’s worth a gamble.’
Burgone seemed to weigh the options before him. ‘Okay. Miss Venton stays.’ Nasreen felt like punching the air. Saunders tutted. ‘But she’s not to go anywhere near the general public. I want her involvement kept on the quiet, and her movements restricted to this building. At no point are the press to get wind that we have anyone other than us working on the case. Do I make myself clear?’
He was looking at her, his eyes those of a boss. It was as if nothing had happened between them. Perhaps that was the way it was going to be. She pushed her hurt and confusion aside. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘I’ve just spoken to the superintendent.’ Burgone looked uncomfortable. He wouldn’t have told her about them? No, she was being ridiculous. ‘She thinks it would be best if I stepped down.’
Nasreen felt her stomach drop away.
‘None of us want that,’ Saunders said. Chips shook his head.
‘As things … progress,’ Burgone said, ‘I can’t trust myself to make the best calls.’
If anything else was sent to them … As time ticked down to the deadline … It was too awful to think about. They all murmured their dissent. What would she do if it were her sister? Was it possible to be this close to a case and not allow yourself to be compromised? She’d been close to Chloe’s parents once. But she hadn’t told anyone about that.
‘The superintendent thinks that if we catch the bastard who did this …’ Burgone’s words spat and fizzled to nothing on the ground.
Chips reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘We’ll get him, Jack.’
Burgone regained his composure. ‘Yes, and when we do I don’t want my involvement to risk the case in court.’ Nasreen tried not to think of the Stroftons.
‘I’m not going anywhere, and I’d appreciate it if you keep me up to date on any developments.’ They nodded. ‘And I’d like you to act up on this one, Pete,’ he said to Saunders.
Shit.
‘Pete has experience with a number of previous kidnap cases, and I know he’ll make the right calls if necessary.’
‘Of course,’ said Chips. Nasreen felt sick. She might have got Freddie onto the team, but at what cost? Saunders distrusted her, and now he was in charge. Or at least he was for the next twenty-four hours. Again the timeframe loomed before her: a perfect before and after. Except she couldn’t picture what the after looked like. Or just how bad it might be.
‘Thank you.’ Burgone’s eyes dropped to the floor, as if he’d spent every ounce of energy he had left. They watched him walk down the corridor.
‘Let’s get on with finding this Liam lad.’ Chips plodded through the office door.
Nasreen quickly went to follow him, but Saunders blocked her path. He put his face very close to hers, the smell of mint chewing gum strong on his breath. Her teeth clenched. He spoke quietly, but the menace in his words ran like cold fingers over her body.
‘You may have charmed the boss and Chips, but I’m not such an easy play.’
Every muscle in her body was screaming to step backwards. She daren’t breathe.
‘I’m in charge now, and I’m watching you, Cudmore.’