The Death Messenger

by Mari Hannah

  ‘Is that right? Well, rest assured, I’m not finished with either of you yet.’

  Their mumbling caused Newman to swing round and face them. ‘If you guys have nothing better to do, I’m ready to talk shop.’ He glanced in O’Neil’s direction as she hung up the phone, a face like thunder. ‘I think we should discuss Spielberg’s demands before she calls again. For what it’s worth, I’m against indulging her, though I’m open to arguments as always. What do you reckon, Ryan?’

  ‘About what?’ O’Neil arrived in the nick of time.

  Grace’s mood was belligerent, no more or less than O’Neil had told Ryan to expect on their return to the UK. Suspicious of Spielberg’s request to talk exclusively to him, Grace had made a few arsey comments on the phone. From the combative expression on her face, she was ready to let fly.

  Ryan waited for her to kick off.

  Atypically, she held back.

  There was only one certainty in play. Any action that Grace was planning would include an opinion she’d had all night to formulate. Before she had time to voice it, O’Neil took the initiative. A small team relied on cohesion. Aware that their unit was crumbling around their ears, she’d decided to lay all her cards on the table and take the heat out of the row that was brewing. The unit wasn’t ready for another falling out.

  ‘But first a confession,’ she said.

  ‘What did I tell you?’ Grace barked at Newman. He showed no emotion and she turned her wrath on Ryan. ‘So, Spielberg wants to talk to you. How come she knows you by name? Since when did we start sharing personal details with suspects? Since when did we start lying to one another?’

  ‘That’s a lot of questions,’ Ryan said.

  ‘And they require answers.’

  ‘Which you might get if I had the faintest idea what the hell you’re on about?’

  ‘I’m not finished, Ryan. You said your device didn’t record last time you spoke to Spielberg, or words to that effect. You know what? You couldn’t lie straight in bed. Pressed the wrong button, my arse! I knew that was bullshit the minute it came out of your mouth. You’re better than that—’

  ‘Are you finished?’ Ryan already knew the answer.

  ‘Not even close!’

  ‘Grace, knock it off!’ Newman said. ‘Let him speak.’

  ‘No, I’m sick of the deceit. Either we’re a team or we’re not.’

  ‘She has a point, Frank.’ O’Neil kept her shoulders straight and took a deep breath, getting ready to come clean. ‘Grace has every right to be angry. Ryan did record that conversation and the device wasn’t broken. That was a lie. He was covering my back. He destroyed the recording on my instruction.’

  ‘What?’ Grace stuck her forefinger in her ear and wiggled it around. ‘I must be hearing things? I could’ve sworn you said you’d binned vital evidence.’

  ‘It’s called loyalty,’ O’Neil said.

  Grace snorted. ‘Are you mad?’

  ‘I had my reasons,’ O’Neil bit back. ‘Ryan was flippant with Spielberg on the phone. Unprofessional. This unit will stand or fall by its reputation. I made a judgement call. The recording wasn’t something we could enter in evidence, so I told him to get rid—’

  ‘Good work, Eloise!’ The pit bull was in full-on attack mode. ‘That has got to be the worst decision you have ever made. As a Professional Standards veteran, you of all people should’ve known better. What the hell were you thinking?’

  ‘It was my decision to make.’ O’Neil was incensed, even though she knew Grace was in the right; it was not only a bad choice, it was the wrong choice. Still, she fought back, unwilling to let Grace have it all her own way. ‘Grace, let me give you a piece of advice. In future, if you want to question my authority, you do it without an audience—’

  ‘Tell it to the judge—’

  ‘Guv?’ Ryan wanted the yelling to end.

  O’Neil bit his head off. ‘What now?’

  He opened his drawer, took out the recorder and threw it on the desk. ‘I didn’t “lose” the evidence. What would be the point? The Control Room was trying to trace the call. They’ll have recorded it too.’ He put a hand up, fending off attack. ‘I was in the wrong to wind Spielberg up. I’m not proud of it. I called it how I saw it and I’ll take my chances when the case goes to trial. She’s not the type to respond to officialdom. I thought that a more casual attitude might keep her on the line.’

  ‘At last,’ Grace said. ‘Someone with sense!’

  Ryan shot her a look: be careful.

  ‘Can I say something?’ Newman was the only one calm enough to take the temperature down. ‘Let’s consider all the angles here. No trial judge will criticize Ryan’s approach if he got the right result. We’re dealing with a serial offender here. If Spielberg wants to speak to him – and only him – he obviously made a connection, however negative. The very fact that she’s no longer willing to talk to Eloise would suggest that he touched her in some way. We should use that to our advantage, run with it and see where it takes us. Ryan has a way with women.’ He looked at Grace. ‘He’s even talked sense into you on occasion.’ Newman winked at her and then eyed the others. ‘Believe me, that’s not easy.’

  Grace laughed and then apologized to everyone for losing her rag.

  O’Neil didn’t hold it against her. They’d had their say and so had Ryan. It cleared the air and her fragmented team was beginning to repair itself. Just as well. They didn’t know it yet but Hilary Forsythe was due to arrive at any moment.

  ‘This is your call,’ she told Ryan. ‘If you’re happy with Frank’s suggestion, when Spielberg makes contact, I’m out, you’re in.’

  ‘On one condition,’ he said. ‘If she can get here on time, I want Caroline in on this. You’ve seen how good she is. She’ll home in on emotions we might miss.’ When there were no dissenters, he consented to take the next call.

  Talking to a serial killer was quite a responsibility. He hoped he could pull it off.

  45

  O’Neil took a deep breath as she opened the door. Hilary Forsythe stepped forward, embracing her gently, a kiss on each cheek, the usual pat on the back as he held her for a moment longer than she was comfortable with. She pulled away, trying not to show how edgy she felt around him. It was the same every time he was near, the ghost of her past weakening her resolve to move on and leave behind the part of her life he belonged to.

  ‘How are you?’ That was always his first question.

  ‘Fine.’ The lie was her stock reply. ‘Is this meeting really necessary?’

  ‘I think so. Eloise, I worry about you. Not in a professional sense – I know you can do this job standing on your head. I meant—’

  ‘I know what you meant.’ She swept a hand out. ‘Please, come and meet the team.’

  Like his offspring, Forsythe was tall and fit, a classy dresser with impeccable taste in clothes, a tanned complexion and flawless manners. Unlike his son, he loved her dearly and the sentiment was genuine. In spite of how he made her feel, O’Neil was fond of him too. She took his coat and led him into the lounge area that doubled as her incident room, a feeling of trepidation eating away at her gut.

  Ryan and Grace stood up as they entered.

  ‘Ryan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ Hilary extended a hand. The handshake was solid. ‘I knew your father. He was a good man, a dedicated policeman. You look exactly like him. Am I right in thinking that your twin works for the Crown Prosecution Service these days?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘It pleases me that the two of you followed his fine example. The criminal justice system needs people like you.’

  Ryan felt his heart swell with pride. ‘Thank you, sir.’

  Forsythe took in every detail: the state-of-the-art equipment; the piles of paperwork; the murder wall with details of known victims and one female as yet unidentified.

  He raised his voice. ‘Mr Newman, you can come out now.’

  Three pairs of eyes met across the room.

&nb
sp; So much for keeping Newman’s involvement a secret.

  A bedroom door opened and Newman appeared, eyes fixed on Forsythe. The fact that he’d been rumbled didn’t appear to bother him. The former judge was as well connected as he was. Anticipating that his cover might already have been blown, he’d voiced his concern when O’Neil warned the team that he was dropping by.

  Forsythe invited them all to sit.

  ‘I think it’s time we set the record straight, about me, this base and, more importantly, Eloise’s appointment as operational head of this unit.’ He sat down too, hitching his trousers at the knee, his shoes buffed to perfection. ‘I gather you’ve discovered facts and drawn conclusions that may have challenged her authority. Had I known of Frank’s link to Grace when this unit was created, I might have covered my tracks better. I can assure you that Eloise had no knowledge of my involvement until last Saturday. I was alerted by MI5 as long ago as December 2012 that those due to stand trial in Scotland on terrorism charges – the defendants in Lord Trevathan’s case – had cross-border links with Northumberland.’

  ‘That’s news to me,’ Ryan said. ‘Did you investigate?’

  Forsythe nodded.

  ‘With respect, sir, I was employed at Special Branch then. At no time were we made aware of such a threat.’

  ‘No one was, though it was significant, deemed a code red by MI5. A splinter group of terrorists, highly organized, were believed to be planning a sophisticated attack on Otterburn army base. A decision was made at the highest level to keep the circle of those in the know to an absolute minimum. As it turned out, the Northumberland link did not exist. MI5 and antiterrorist officers deployed here were stood down.’

  Ryan was happy with the explanation.

  ‘The inception of this unit coincided with my retirement,’ Forsythe added. ‘The idea had been on the table for a while. These are difficult times. Due to governmental cuts, all forces are strapped for cash. Few of them want to get involved in protracted enquiries that swallow up ever-decreasing budgets.’

  ‘So you reinvented the wheel?’ Ryan said.

  ‘As you say. The outcome was an elite but scaled down National Crime Unit – one with teeth. You are the select few and, because of prior involvement and local knowledge, I was the obvious choice to oversee the unit, just as Eloise was the obvious choice to manage it. You could accuse me of nepotism, and I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Despite the fact that no marriage took place, she is my de facto daughter-in-law. But let me tell you this: she has the experience and intelligence to investigate these very serious matters. Her integrity is indisputable. You will find no finer officer to lead you.’

  ‘Hear! Hear!’ Grace whispered under her breath.

  ‘No one disputes that,’ Ryan said in support.

  Newman agreed.

  O’Neil wanted them to stop.

  She didn’t get her way.

  ‘I decided not to disclose my involvement for personal reasons. I know how difficult it is for Eloise to be around me, under any circumstances. Suffice to say, I remind her of a difficult time in her life. I suspect she’d have turned down the job if she’d known.’

  Eloise felt her heart break a little more. Grateful that this wonderful man hadn’t mentioned his son by name, she kept her head down. This was so painful for her. Aware of that, Forsythe drew attention away from her. Sadly, her thoughts were louder than his voice. His consideration for others was what had drawn her to him from the start; she’d loved him since the moment they were introduced over dinner at his house. He was the father she’d never had . . .

  The only one she wanted.

  ‘Are we out on our ear when this case is over?’ Grace was asking.

  ‘Staffing is a matter for Eloise. The unit will continue under her command with Ryan as a permanent fixture. I will hold no more than a watching brief over it. I agreed to take it on for reasons I just outlined. Ford is merely a go-between. To quote Eloise, “He wouldn’t know an investigation if he tripped over one.”’

  ‘I might have put it differently,’ Grace said.

  ‘Frank, you showed good judgement investigating the unit,’ Forsythe said. ‘It flagged up a weakness. Rest assured that the information you uncovered is no longer available – to anyone. Neither has your security been compromised. You’ll have to take my word for that.’ He switched focus. ‘Ryan, it was no surprise that Eloise took you on. We discussed you briefly after Jack Fenwick’s death. You obviously made quite an impression on her. You and Grace have my condolences. I understand you were both close to Fenwick.’

  ‘Thank you, sir,’ Ryan and Grace said in unison.

  ‘Grace, you are a perfect choice,’ Forsythe continued. ‘You have a notable track-record and formidable reputation.’

  ‘With respect, that makes me sound like a bolshie cow.’

  ‘If the cap fits,’ O’Neil said.

  The others laughed.

  Grace never held her tongue if she had something to say. Chief Constable or cleaner, she made no allowances. Forsythe smiled at her, the confident smile of a man with knowledge she didn’t have.

  ‘Have we met before, sir? You seem familiar.’

  ‘Back when you were a newly promoted detective sergeant – and proud of it, as I recall – I was a solicitor with a local firm. You declined my dinner invitation.’

  ‘Did I? Sorry . . .’ She didn’t have a clue. ‘There were so many invitations. I rarely remember those who got away and wish I could forget some of those who didn’t.’

  They all burst out laughing.

  ‘I believe you had designs elsewhere.’ Forsythe tipped his head towards the spook, who was rolling his eyes at the others. ‘You’re a lucky man, Frank. I had no idea you would feature in Eloise’s plans. Welcome. She’s an exceptional judge of character.’

  ‘I have a question,’ Grace was keen to move on.

  ‘Ask it.’

  ‘Why risk using this apartment as a base?’

  ‘That I can’t answer.’ Forsythe looked at O’Neil, inviting comment.

  In turn, O’Neil looked at Grace. ‘That’s ironic, coming from you!’

  Ryan grinned. His guv’nor was back in control. Grace was almost blushing, a first for her. Clearly, Forsythe had no idea what was going on. He knew nothing of the shadow investigation they’d run from Grace’s living room after Jack went missing.

  ‘She has previous convictions for it,’ O’Neil said. That’s all the explanation he was getting.

  ‘And you haven’t answered my question,’ Grace said.

  ‘There was nothing sinister in it,’ O’Neil said. ‘Ford left me to source accommodation. He stipulated a location with no connection to force headquarters, but in close proximity. He didn’t tell me why, only that he needed the unit up and running without delay. At the time I wondered why the rush, why he was so nervous. The only case I was aware of was the one in Brighton; I knew nothing of Lord Trevathan’s disappearance or the links to Ambassador Dean’s murder. I assumed that both the case and the sourcing of accommodation were tests, that Ford was evaluating my performance. He’d set such a tight deadline. This place was the only real option. It was standing empty, perfectly situated, easily made secure. Simple as that.’ She paused. ‘On reflection, it was a mistake on two counts: first, it couldn’t be accounted for on the budget; second, given its history, I hadn’t realized the negative effect working here would have on me.’

  ‘It’s easy to be wise after the event,’ Forsythe defended her. ‘I happen to think it’s a perfect choice.’

  ‘We can live with it, if you can,’ Newman told her.

  Ryan was nodding in agreement.

  ‘I don’t buy it,’ Grace said. ‘Forgive me for being cynical, but it’s clear Ford hated you from the get-go. Why would he allow you to use your flat if he wanted to oust you?’

  ‘He didn’t ask who it belonged to. Why would he?’

  ‘And you didn’t tell him?’

  ‘Not at the time.’

  �
��Let me guess,’ Grace said. ‘Your decision has come back to bite you.’

  O’Neil nodded. ‘It was only ever intended as a stopgap until this investigation was resolved. I made no financial gain, but Ford got wind of it. The man’s a self-serving slug. He had someone check the finance code. Let’s say we had a long conversation. He didn’t force me out, so I assume it’s a keepy-back, a stick to beat me with in the future.’

  ‘Leave him to me.’ Forsythe was studying her closely. ‘Are you OK with it?’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine . . . I am!’ she insisted. ‘I’ve moved on, Hilary, and so must you. I don’t need babysitting, by any of you.’ She looked away, unable to face his gaze or that of Ryan. Despite pushing them away, she counted herself lucky to have these two men in her life.

  Ryan quickly changed the subject, deflecting attention away from her to Forsythe. ‘Why were we not told about the first two murders at the outset?’

  ‘That was not my doing,’ he said. ‘I assumed that Ford would share all the information he had been provided with. In withholding it, he acted without my authority. I can assure you it won’t happen again.’ He glanced at his watch. It was gone five. ‘I have to go. Are there any other questions or comments?’

  ‘I’m going to need more finances,’ O’Neil said.

  ‘And you will have them.’ Forsythe took in each team member in turn. ‘If any of you are reconsidering your position within this unit, please speak now.’

  There were no takers.

  Grace and Newman were going nowhere. O’Neil stood up, began busying herself with items on her desk, an avoidance tactic she knew was unlikely to fool anyone, least of all Forsythe. She didn’t want to be the one to show him out. Ryan got up, thanked Forsythe for putting the record straight and showed him to the door.

  In the hallway, the two men shook hands again.

  ‘You take good care of her.’ Forsythe said it as a father would, heaping yet more responsibility on a DS already under pressure to prove his worth. Ryan gave his word.

  46

  Ryan closed the door, his desire to protect O’Neil stronger than ever. At least now everything was out in the open, they could all move on. Caroline’s effervescent personality lifted morale the minute she stepped through the door. Bob sat down beside her in the living room, his wagging tail a physical demonstration that he was happy to be among friends and off duty. Explaining why her attendance was so important, Ryan gave her a space to work in and left her to get on with it.