The SOCO team produced a preliminary report for DI Friar and she read it through before grinning at Lulu. ‘There’s DNA on the rope, which is presumably Wallace’s, but it’ll take time to get that confirmed. But the rope is a definite match to the rope that was found on Sawyer and Robinson.’
‘That’s very good news,’ said Lulu.
‘Isn’t it?’
Superintendent Knight walked over. ‘Did you say the rope matches?’
‘It does. And there are traces of bodily fluids on the carpet, including blood. Again, it’ll take time to run any DNA against Sawyer’s and Robinson’s DNA, but it’s looking very hopeful.’
‘And what about Eddie Parker?’ asked Phil. ‘Any sign of him?’
‘He’s on a flight to Spain as we speak,’ said DI Friar. ‘Malaga airport.’
‘We can have people waiting for him,’ said Phil. ‘The Met has a team out in Malaga monitoring criminal activity on the Costa.’
‘It’s already in hand through Europol,’ said DI Friar.
‘Who will you get to conduct the interview?’ asked Superintendent Knight.
‘I’ll lead, obviously,’ said DI Friar. ‘And I thought it would be useful to have Mrs Lewis there so that we can raise the four murders that took place in London.’
‘And DI Jackson? He’s obviously up to speed on the London end.’
‘Frankly, sir, I’m thinking that we keep it to women in there. Wallace clearly has issues with men, so a male interrogator might well get his back up from the start. I thought DC Townsend and DI Jackson could watch over CCTV.’
‘You think too much testosterone in the room might put him on the defensive?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Good thinking. I’ll watch over the CCTV with the team. Is there anything else you need?’
‘I think we’re good to go, sir.’
‘Right then. Break a leg.’ He turned and left the room.
‘Is it all right if Conrad comes with us?’ asked Lulu.
‘Well, considering that he’s the one who found the rope, it’d be churlish to say no,’ said DI Friar. She looked at DC Townsend and smiled sympathetically. ‘Sorry to leave you out of this, Pete. But I really think Mrs Lewis and I will get more out of him.’
‘Not a problem, boss. It’s the conviction that counts, not the glory.’
‘I wish every detective felt like that,’ said DI Friar.
‘Come on,’ said Phil, patting DC Townsend on the shoulder. ‘I’d like a front-row seat for this.’
Phil’s mobile rang and he took it out and looked at the screen. ‘I’ve got to take this,’ he said to Lulu, ‘it’s about Jeremy.’ He looked at DC Townsend. ‘Sorry, I’ll catch up with you later.’
DC Townsend headed out of the room. DI Friar nodded at Lulu. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Oh, my goodness, yes,’ said Lulu. She bent down so that Conrad could jump onto her shoulders. ‘And Conrad is ready, too.’