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  ‘This is DS Harrogate from Organised Crime.’

  Harrogate nodded.

  ‘You’re investigating Blake?’ said Matilda.

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘We’ll go into more details during the briefing,’ said Lambert. He gently pressed his hand against her back and led her away from Harrogate. ‘How did it go with Whitfield?’

  ‘Dead end. He’s been holed up in his flat the last few years. Nothing but skin and bones. What’s he doing here?’

  ‘Politics as normal. Someone’s been on to Tillman. They’re warning us off pursuing Blake for the time being.’

  ‘So what Sackville said was true?’ said Matilda.

  ‘Looks that way.’

  ‘But this is a murder enquiry.’

  ‘They don’t think it supersedes what he’s working on. You know how things work, Kennedy. According to Harrogate this is just the tip of the iceberg. If they get what they want, hundreds of unsolved murders will be resolved.’

  ‘It’s bullshit,’ said Matilda.

  ‘Listen it’s only guidelines. Let him have his say but I promise you nothing’s going to stop us getting the person we want.’

  Lambert looked around the room and the silence gradually descended. ‘Thank you for all coming, I know you’ve a lot of work on. I wanted to call an untimed debrief to update you on a few new strands. As you know, DS Kennedy and I met with Eustace Sackville again last evening. We discussed his recent reports on Blake. It seems that Blake is already under investigation by Organised Crime. This is DS Harrogate. He’ll explain more.’

  Matilda smirked. Without even trying, Lambert had made evident his distaste for Harrogate.

  Harrogate’s explanation was less than brief. He told them that he was running a classified operation involving people trafficking. ‘Nothing about this can leave this room,’ he warned everyone.

  Matilda looked around the room, noticing the man’s tone had not gone down very well with the rest of the team.

  As Harrogate sat down, Lambert looked at him puzzled.

  ‘You heard it boys and girls. We’ve to ease back on Blake for the time being. Thank you DS Harrogate, that will be all.’

  Harrogate grimaced and looked about him, clearly unhappy to be dismissed in front of everyone. He looked at Tillman for support but the chief superintendent just shrugged his shoulders. ‘Be seeing you,’ said Lambert as Harrogate left the room to a chorus of whispered laughs.

  Lambert exchanged a look with Tillman who stood up. ‘Unfortunately we’re to do as Harrogate suggested for the time being. But we’re definitely not ruling Blake out at this stage. If anything concrete comes in then I’m giving you permission to go in,’ said Tillman, ‘Right, I’ll leave you all to it.’

  An audible gasp of relief shook the room once Tillman had left.

  ‘Devlin, what do we have on the Sackville files?’ said Lambert.

  ‘We started going through them last night, our focus on the files mentioning Blake. Sackville’s personal investigations back up what DS Harrogate just said, though to be fair they go into a little more detail.’

  Everyone laughed at this and Devlin smiled, pleased with the solidarity in the room. ‘The trouble is there are over four hundred thousand words in the document. We’ve run all the cross-searches we can think of linking everyone so far involved in the case. But we’re just going to have to sit down and read them, old school.’

  ‘I’ll leave that with you,’ said Lambert. ‘Get as much help as you want. Divide it into small sections and get reading. Reconvene back here at seven p.m.’

  ‘Sir we’re supposed to attend the drinks with murder squad this evening. DS Sherwood is leaving,’ shouted out one of the constables from the tech team.

  ‘I think the six reported murders take precedence over a piss up,’ said Lambert, before adding: ‘That said, I’m not saying we’re not going, but we’re back here at seven first. There is a link between the Sackville and Dempsey families, I’m sure of it. Now we just have to find it. Back here at seven.’

  The team dispersed. Matilda agreed with Lambert. She only wished she knew how to find the link.

  Lambert moved to Kennedy’s desk. ‘We’re going to have to get Dempsey and Sackville together at some point.’

  ‘They’re not going to release her from the hospital any time soon.’

  ‘Then we might have to bring Sackville in. I want you to speak to Laura Dempsey. See if you can get any more from her, even if you have to tell her about Blake. About what Sackville’s been working on.’

  ‘What about DS Harrogate?’

  ‘Ignore Harrogate. I’m just paying lip service to Tillman and the others. Speak to her and tell her whatever you need to jolt her memory. The more I think about it, the more there’s no way this is coincidental. He’s choosing his victims and there’s a reason. Laura Dempsey and Eustace Sackville will have to tell us.’

  Devlin stopped them as they left the incident room. ‘Sir, someone in reception wants to speak to you.’

  Chapter 25

  Charles Robinson was waiting in reception. ‘DCI Lambert, DS Kennedy. This is my colleague, Giles Lansdowne.’

  ‘What can I do for you, Mr Robinson?’ Lambert had put Robinson to the back of his mind since discovering the bodies of Laura Dempsey’s parents. The ensuing silence had obviously bothered the barrister.

  ‘I thought it prudent to clear up any questions you may have for me. The last I saw of you…’

  ‘Is there something you wish to tell us, Mr Robinson?’

  Robinson looked at his colleague. ‘Nothing specific, but if you have anything to ask me?’

  Lambert exchanged a glance with Kennedy, noticing the hint of amusement in her eyes. ‘We have nothing to ask you at present, but thanks for making the journey.’

  Robinson grimaced. ‘I must say, I am finding this most inconvenient. I know how you work these things, and I would have really hoped for some better treatment.’

  ‘Work these things?’ asked Kennedy.

  ‘Better treatment?’ added Lambert.

  ‘You are trying to make me uncomfortable, for whatever reason. I know you want to ask me some more questions, why else did you approach me at the Bailey?’

  ‘Things move on, Mr Robinson. We’ll be in contact if necessary.’

  ‘May I suggest that you call me if you want to speak to my client any further?’ Giles Lansdowne handed Lambert a gold embossed business card.

  ‘You think you need legal representation, Mr Robinson?’

  ‘Let’s go, Giles. I’m not playing silly buggers any more.’

  ‘What was that all about?’ asked Kennedy, as the two lawyers left the building.

  ‘I was about to question Robinson at the Old Bailey when I thought about Laura’s parents. He’s just protecting himself, doesn’t want his name dragged through the mud.’

  ‘Why don’t we question him?’

  ‘Let him sweat for the time being. I’ll speak to him on my own terms. He hasn’t been forthcoming with us so I don’t think he deserves special treatment.’

  ‘I take it Giles Lansdowne won’t be present,’ said Kennedy, that look of amusement on her face again.

  ‘Highly unlikely. Right, I’ll see you at the debrief.’

  ‘Sir.’

  ‘Matilda, before you go.’

  Kennedy raised her eyebrows at him using her first name.

  ‘If there is anything you need to tell me, at any time, you know where to find me.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘I mean it. If there is anything you need to tell me, related to the case, or not, then you can tell me in full confidence.’

  ‘Good to know. Thank you, sir.’

  Back in his office, he logged on to The System. He searched through Eustace Sackville’s social media posting using the back end access. He did the same for Laura Dempsey, and cross-checked the searches. He added in Curtis Blake, and broadened the search to include internet searches, and news stories. If The
System had a downside, it was its effectiveness. The searches on the individuals provided hundreds of results, too numerous to tackle without hours of manpower. Lambert tried limiting the search, but was hampered by not knowing exactly what he was looking for. In one of his folders, the searches on Kennedy’s father waited for him. He wasn’t convinced anything relevant was in the files, thought it was possible that the killer was trying to divert his attention.

  He called the tech department to check if there was any way of tracking unknown calls on his phone. ‘If you bring the phone in we can see what we can do,’ said a female voice.

  ‘What are the chances of tracking it if the caller doesn’t want us to?’

  ‘If they are moderately competent then it could prove to be very difficult. They could call via Wi-Fi and bounce the IP addresses all over the place.’

  Lambert hung up and drummed his fingers on the desk, frustrated at how close they were. He hoped Kennedy’s interview with Laura Dempsey would reap some reward. If that failed, then he would have to get Dempsey and Sackville together soon. He was adamant they were both withholding something.

  He drove the short distance to Sackville’s safe house, and showed his warrant card to the two plain clothes officers.

  ‘How you liking your new surroundings, Eustace?’

  ‘Can’t complain, though we’re running low on single malt.’

  ‘It’s barely past noon,’ said Lambert, boiling the kettle.

  ‘Don’t I know it.’

  ‘It’s Blake’s sixtieth in a couple of days. You going?’

  Sackville snorted, accepting the mug of instant coffee. ‘It’s officially a surprise party, from what I’ve heard. Blake is going to make a grand entrance once the guests arrive.’

  ‘Who’s going to be there?’

  ‘Apart from family, everyone. You should take all your outstanding arrest warrants, you’d have a field day.’

  Lambert thought about DS Harrogate’s case, and wondered if he had plans for the day. Whatever Harrogate thought, and the orders he’d received from Tillman, the only reason he hadn’t visited Blake again was due to the phone calls he kept receiving. It was possible they were a diversion tactic set by Blake, but Lambert was happy to wait until he knew more.

  ‘So, we’ve started reading through your files.’

  ‘Right. Not sure I’ve given you permission, but anyway.’

  ‘A lot of prose, Eustace. Could you help by narrowing down our search?’

  ‘The files about Blake are all there. Not much more I can do, and by the sounds of it your boy Harrogate has all that business sorted out.’

  ‘What do you know about Blake’s staff?’

  ‘Staff? That is a very loose term. Why, what are you angling at?’

  ‘Anyone you could think of who would be disloyal?’

  ‘To Curtis Blake? Not if they have any sense. Some of the stories I’ve heard.’

  Lambert had heard them all, had seen the fallout on occasions. Betraying people like Curtis Blake resulted in more than death. From what Lambert had seen, death was the last, merciful act.

  ‘Anyone new, anyone you’re not sure of?’

  Sackville looked distastefully at his instant coffee.

  ‘Tell me what you know and I’ll order some supplies. This could be for your own benefit, Eustace.’

  ‘His team are pretty well established. Your buddy Harrogate knows all this, by the way. His inner sanctum are mainly family, even his accountant is a nephew. There are outsiders who work for him but they are accounted for. The only senior people not family would be the lawyer, and the security guy. In fact, all the security are outsiders. He prefers ex-military. Head guy is Atkinson, then Wallace and Richards. There are at least seven or eight or more ex-service personnel who work below Atkinson. The whole team were together in the Gulf. They’re all ex-special ops of one sort or another. Below that team, they have a subset who do some of the more unsavoury work.’

  ‘The lawyer?’

  ‘He uses a firm. Price and Barker.’

  Lambert closed his eyes for a second, and looked away.

  ‘Your wife works there, doesn’t she?’

  Lambert stared at him, thinking hard.

  ‘I’m sure it’s a coincidence. What department is she in?’

  ‘Family law.’ Lambert thought about his anonymous caller, all the information he had.

  ‘Blake has his own team. It’s not what you’d expect. Blake is under the impression that he’s legit, so they’re all commercial solicitors. I think they ship the criminal work out.’

  ‘I guess he uses the senior guys, the partners?’

  ‘Yes, the main guy is…’

  ‘Don’t tell me,’ said Lambert. ‘Jeremy Taylor.’

  Chapter 26

  He called Sophie as soon as he reached the car.

  ‘Everything okay?’ she asked.

  ‘Just checking in. Nothing out of the ordinary happened recently?’

  ‘No. Oh hang on, I did push a small child out of me a few days ago but apart from that…’

  ‘Very droll.’

  ‘You sound worried, is there something wrong?’

  It was pointless worrying her for no due reason. Taylor being involved had to be a coincidence. By all accounts, he’d been overseeing Blake’s legal work for a number of years, long before Sophie had been on the scene. ‘No, I just felt bad about earlier. How’s Glenda?’

  ‘Fine. What is it, Michael? You can tell me.’

  ‘Nothing, honest. I’ll speak to you later.’

  The phone rang as soon as he ended the call. ‘Yep,’ said Lambert, having not looked at the number.

  ‘Lambert.’

  Lambert pressed the brake pedal a little harder than planned, receiving a horn blast from the car behind him. He lifted his hand in apology.

  Lambert sensed the change in the man’s voice immediately. It was a subtle shift in tone, almost indecipherable. The killer sounded stressed.

  ‘It’s not going to work,’ said the voice. ‘You’re not going to turn me into some sort of joke.’

  Lambert tried to pull over, blasting his horn at the stalled car in front of him.

  ‘Slow down. What are you talking about?’ he shouted into the speakerphone. The stalled car pulled away and Lambert parked on a double yellow line and switched on his hazards, receiving a line of angry horn blasts and shouts from his fellow drivers.

  ‘Don’t play dumb with me, Lambert, I know too much about you. I know you’ve met with Mia Helmer on more than one occasion. You met with her only the other day at Eustace’s flat.’

  Lambert thought back to catching the journalist going through Sackville’s belongings and the ensuing file he’d discovered listing Curtis Blake’s involvement in trafficking. He could only presume that Helmer had leaked the story despite the promises she’d made.

  ‘I’ve met with Helmer but I haven’t told her to run any story,’ he said, gambling. ‘From what I understand, you guided her to the flat in the first place.’

  The killer paused and it took all Lambert’s will for him not to speak again. He sat still, each passing car which had to manoeuvre around him breaking the silence with obscenities.

  Eventually the killer spoke, the stressed tone from seconds before had vanished. The man sounded back in control.

  ‘What does it matter?’ he said. ‘We’re entering end time now. Party time is coming. Such ridiculous tactics won’t stop me.’

  ‘Why don’t you tell me the truth?’ said Lambert. ‘Tell me where Helmer went wrong. Tell me what this is all about and we can put your side of the story to the public. Surely you don’t want them to hear these lies about you.’ He could only guess at what Helmer had printed. ‘Just tell me what this is all about.’ Lambert hesitated, and decided to gamble. ‘Tell me what Eustace Sackville and Laura Dempsey did to you. Tell me what they did to deserve this punishment.’ Lambert sensed rather than heard the intake of breath on the other side of the line.

  �
�You truly don’t know anything, do you?’

  ‘What about Curtis Blake?’ continued Lambert, undeterred.

  ‘What about him?’ said the killer laughing, as if the question was ridiculous. ‘You’re grasping at straws, Mr Lambert. Have you asked your partner about her father yet? She really does have issues with authority you know. But her latest issue is going to get her into grave trouble.’

  ‘Don’t change the subject. What have you got to hide? If end times are coming, as you said, why can’t you let me know?’

  ‘That would be spoiling all the fun, Mr Lambert,’ said the killer. ‘Be watching you,’ he said, hanging up.

  ‘Hello? Hello?’ screamed Lambert into the handset, receiving a low monotone noise in return. He slammed his fist against the dashboard before taking out his notebook and recording the conversation as best he could. The killer had spoken in code. Lambert jotted down the crucial bits: End time is coming, it’s party time. He noted what the killer had said about Matilda without directly mentioning her name. About her authority issues and how her latest dalliance had put her in grave danger. It seemed now he would have to find out who she was seeing, which would be awkward at best.

  He opened the car door, a cyclist swerving to miss him. Lambert held his hands up but the cyclist was not satisfied. He placed his bike on the pavement and moved towards him. He was a lean figure, dressed in black Lycra, at least six foot four. His rage was all too evident. He moved towards Lambert, ready to engage in violence, only to stop at the last second as Lambert stood his ground and stared the man down.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Lambert. ‘I wasn’t thinking.’ He didn’t flinch as the man took one step nearer. Lambert was about to reach his hand into his pocket to take out his warrant card then decided against it. Blood thundered through his body, laced with adrenaline. It was hard to accept but deep down he wanted the man to attack him, wanted a reason to unleash the pent up violence within him. As if sensing this, the cyclist stopped and backed away.

  Lambert located a newsagent and found the newspaper Eustace Sackville sometimes worked for. He scanned through the paper looking for any mention of Sackville or Dempsey but couldn’t find anything.