Kesey switched off her desktop computer, checked the time, and picked up the phone, hoping that an already long day wasn’t about to get longer. ‘Carmarthen CID.’
‘Who’s that?’
‘Detective Sergeant Laura Kesey. How can I help you?’
‘Hello, Laura, I thought I recognised your voice.’
She stiffened. ‘Rebecca?’
‘I need to speak to DI Gravel. Just get him. I haven’t got time for small talk.’
‘Where are you?’
She sighed. ‘Just put him on the phone, Laura. And don’t bother trying to trace the call. He’ll know exactly where I am.’
She stood and stared at Grav with blazing eyes as he approached her with an outstretched hand. ‘Hello, Becca, where are you, love?’
‘Oh, come on, you’re the detective. Isn’t it blatantly obvious?’
He rested his weight on the desktop, his chest tightening.
‘Devonport?’
She laughed. ‘So you’re not completely useless then?’
‘Have you killed him?’
She paused before replying. ‘Not yet. I’m there now. I just wanted you to know it’s nearly over. We’ve gone full circle.’
‘Look, I get it, love. I really do. The man hurt you. He hurt your family. But it’s time to stop. Five men are already dead. It’s time to walk away. You wouldn’t have rung if you weren’t having doubts.’
‘It’s amazing who you meet when locked up with the criminally insane. People with contacts. Useful contacts.’
‘What are you talking about, love?’
‘I’ve got a gun. A pistol and six bullets. I don’t think it’s going to be nearly as much fun as a knife, but it’s a lot quicker. I’m going to blow the dirty bastard’s head off.’
He swallowed hard. ‘I helped you, didn’t I? When you were arrested. I did what I could, yes?’
‘Yeah, you did. I’ll give you that much.’
‘Well, now I’m helping you again. If you kill him, you’ll be locked up for the rest of your life. Just like I said before. You’ll die in prison. I want you to take the bullets out of the gun, ring the local police straight after this call, and hand yourself in.’
‘Do you remember what you said at the house when I asked you to walk away?’
‘I said that I couldn’t do that.’
‘Well, I’m telling you the same now.’
Grav closed his eyes tight shut. ‘I’m begging you, love. Ring the local police. There’s been more than enough death and destruction. I was talking to your mother only yesterday. She wouldn’t want you to kill him. She told me that herself.’
‘Are you done?’
‘Just hand yourself in, love. It’s the only sensible option.’
Rebecca considered responding with a message for her mum, but decided against it. Actions spoke louder. What was the point of words?
‘Are you still there, love? Are you thinking about what I’ve said?’
And with that, she put the phone down.
Kesey rose to her feet and glared at her boss as he collected his coat and approached the door. ‘Where the hell are you going?’
‘I need a drink.’
She rushed after him. ‘What the fuck are you talking about? You’ve got to ring the Devon and Cornwall force. It’s urgent. It couldn’t be more urgent. She’s armed, for fuck’s sake. She’s a ruthless killer, not some little girl in need of your care and protection.’
‘I want to give her the opportunity to hand herself in. I owe her that much.’
She grabbed his sleeve and shook him. ‘You’re not thinking straight, boss. You’ve got to ring right now.’
He pulled himself free. ‘Ring them yourself if you have to. I’m not stopping you.’
She rushed towards her phone as he fastened his coat and opened the door. ‘Where’s Sheridan’s address?’
‘On my desk, blue file. I’ll see you in the morning.’