O’Connor was slow to give him too much information, even if they were both on the same side.
‘Looks like we might have a match with the boot print at the canal.’ O’Connor allowed the last remark to settle, knowing it would irritate Gunning. ‘The boss is thinking about whether we should release information on the ribbons and the plaiting.’
‘What’s holding him back?’ Gunning sounded glad with the change of direction.
‘You know the way this shit is seen, the media will jump on it – ribbons, plaiting, ritual laying of bodies – could make things a whole lot worse.’
‘I hear you. Like a hand grenade going off in the middle of a fire drill.’
‘I know. The photofit went out on the late news, so it’s a waiting game now to see what that drags in. Nothing concrete by late tomorrow afternoon and my guess is he’ll go public with the ribbons. The plaiting, I’m not so sure.’
‘So how’s your Ms Pearson getting along? She’s a real beauty, nice and sweet.’
O’Connor chose to ignore his last remark. There was something about Gunning’s voice that irked him, and he wasn’t happy about him mentioning Kate. Even over the phone, he came across like a posturing peacock.
‘Funny you should mention Kate. I have a job for you.’
‘Nolan wants me to keep working on the Interpol searches.’
‘I know he does, which is great, because we’re going to please both him and Kate with this one.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘The crucifix Caroline Devine was wearing, it may be nothing, but put it into the mix. Sounds like you have bugger all on the ribbons and positioning, so let’s see what comes up with the cross. I’m sending you over a replica photograph now.’
‘Right.’
‘And Gunning.’
‘Yeah?’
‘If you get anything, no running to Nolan with it, remember that I’m the Senior Investigating Officer.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of breaking the chain.’
‘Good. One other thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Kate isn’t my Ms Pearson, she’s a respected criminal psychologist who is helping to find a killer.’
Before Gunning had the opportunity to answer, O’Connor hung up on him.
Mervin Road
Sunday, 9 October 2011, 9.00 a.m.
WHEN KATE WOKE UP, DECLAN WAS ASLEEP IN THE BED with his back to her. She had no idea what time he had arrived home, but judging by his snoring, he wasn’t moving anywhere in a hurry. She walked across the hall to check on Charlie, and he too was out for the count. She knew that the interruption to his sleep last night would mean a lie-in. Normally, she would have relished the chance for longer in bed, but not today. She made her way to the kitchen and sat at the table with her coffee and phone in front of her. She didn’t have long to wait.
‘Morning, O’Connor.’
‘Right, Kate, meeting with Jessica set up. They’re expecting you.’
‘Great, I’ll head straight over.’
‘By the way, I gave your report to Nolan and Donoghue and they’re not happy.’
‘Why not?’
‘They were hoping for more. What they want to know is what he’ll do next.’
Kate swallowed her annoyance. ‘It doesn’t work like that. It’s been one full day since I’ve been officially involved. Do they want me to fabricate patterns?’
‘I’m just saying—’
‘What we have is what we have. I’m going to talk to Jessica, if any more comes out of that, you’ll be the first to know. But, O’Connor, there was one other thing I didn’t mention last night.’
‘What’s that?’
‘In the report, I’ve noted that he repeats behaviour.’
‘Yeah, I saw that.’
‘It goes back to Amelia being perceived as a loose end. Even though she disappointed him, he carried out part of her burial the same way.’
‘So?’
‘That tells us far more than the details of the burials, the ribbons and positioning being his signature. It tells us about him. He likes the familiar, routine, takes comfort in doing things the same way. If the crucifix is an indicator of Caroline’s elevated status, the lack of it on Amelia, her disappointment to him, didn’t deter him from assigning familiarities, similar behavioural patterns. As I said, he likes routine.’
‘Listen, Nolan’s thinking about going public with the ribbons and the plaiting, how do you think our guy will react?’
‘Depends on how it’s presented. He’s particular, probably likes the idea of being somewhat elusive, taking pride in how he handles things. If Nolan releases information about the ribbons and plaiting, there’ll be a side of him that will feel complimented in some way. He has an ego, O’Connor. By the way, I saw the photofit from Jessica on the news last night, it wasn’t very distinctive.’