The office was half empty when Wolf returned. Two teenagers had been killed in a gang-related stabbing in Edmonton overnight, and a third was critically ill in hospital. It was another reminder that London was carrying on as usual and that the Ragdoll murders, the lives of those marked to die, and Wolf’s own fight for survival, were nothing more than interesting topics of conversation for the millions of people not involved.
There was a message waiting for him when he got back to his desk. Andrew Ford, the security guard and number four on the list, had been demanding to speak to Wolf in person since the previous morning. He was becoming increasingly aggressive towards the officers assigned to him as time wore on. Apparently Baxter had attended in his stead, only to have been swiftly rebuffed by the boorish man.
When they were called into the meeting room, Wolf took the empty seat beside Baxter, who had reverted to her usual unapproachable self, complete with dark make-up and bored expression.
‘Morning,’ he said casually.
‘Morning,’ she replied brusquely, not meeting his eye.
He gave up and turned to speak to Finlay instead.
(HEAD) Naguib Khalid ‘The Cremation Killer’
(TORSO) – ?
(LEFT ARM) platinum ring, law firm?
(RIGHT ARM) nail varnish?
(LEFT LEG) – ?
(RIGHT LEG) Detective Benjamin Chambers
A – Raymond Turnble (Mayor) B – Vijay Rana/Khalid (Brother/accountant) C – Jarred Garland (Journalist)
D – Andrew Ford (Security guard/alcoholic/pain in arse) E – Ashley Lochlan (Waitress) or (nine-year-old girl) F – Wolf
They all stared at the list in silence, hoping that inspiration might strike and an obvious link would suddenly present itself. They had spent the first twenty minutes of the meeting arguing themselves in circles, which had prompted Simmons to scrawl their current progress up on the flipchart in his almost illegible handwriting. Seeing it written down like this, they had achieved a decidedly underwhelming amount.
‘The Cremation Killings must be the key,’ said Finlay. ‘Khalid, his brother, Will …’
‘His brother had nothing to do with the trial,’ said Simmons, adding an annotation to the list. ‘He wasn’t even there.’
‘Maybe when Alex gets back with a name for us it’ll make more sense,’ said Finlay with a shrug.
‘It won’t,’ interjected Baxter. ‘Edmunds has got twenty-two people who owned those rings. Not one of them was involved in Khalid’s trial.’
‘Ben was, though, wasn’t he?’ asked Finlay.
There was an uncomfortable pause on mention of the name. Finlay looked guilty for bringing up his deceased colleague, as though he were just another part of the puzzle.
‘Chambers was involved, but no more than anyone else in this room,’ Baxter replied unemotionally. ‘And even if he was, how would it link to the rest of the list?’
‘How thoroughly have we delved into these other people’s backgrounds?’ asked Simmons.
‘We’re doing the best we can, but could really use some more help,’ said Baxter.
‘Well, there isn’t any,’ snapped Simmons irately. ‘I’ve already got a third of the department helping out on this. I can’t spare anyone else.’
Baxter backed off, appreciating the amount of pressure that her chief was under.
‘Fawkes, you’ve been unusually quiet, any thoughts?’ asked Simmons.
‘If Khalid’s trial was the key, why would I be on the same list as him? It makes no sense. They want the Cremation Killer dead but also the person who tried to stop him?’
There was a puzzled silence.
‘Could be because it was famous,’ suggested Finlay. ‘Maybe Ben had a big case that caught his attention too.’
‘It’s a thought,’ said Simmons. ‘Look into it.’
At that moment Edmunds burst into the room looking sweaty and dishevelled.
‘The ring belonged to Michael Gable-Collins,’ he said triumphantly. ‘Senior partner at Collins and Hunter.’
‘Collins and Hunter? Why does that ring a bell?’ asked Finlay.
Wolf shrugged.
‘Forty-seven years old, divorced, no children. Interestingly, he attended a partners’ meeting last Friday lunchtime,’ continued Edmunds.
‘So we have an approximate twelve-hour window between that meeting and the discovery of the Ragdoll,’ said Simmons, adding the blue-blooded name to the list.
‘And he definitely wasn’t at the trial?’ asked Finlay, ignoring Baxter’s exasperated sigh.
‘I’m still looking into it, but not directly. No,’ said Edmunds.
‘So we’re no closer to finding a link then?’ said Finlay.
‘Oh, the trial’s the link,’ said Edmunds simply.
‘But you just said this bloke had nothing to do with it.’
‘He did though. They all did. We just haven’t worked it out yet. Khalid is the key.’
‘But—’ Finlay started.
‘Moving on,’ Simmons interrupted, glancing down at his watch. ‘Jarred Garland has requested that Detective Baxter take the lead on his protection. I have discussed this at length with her and expect you all to assist her with anything that she needs.’
‘Wait, wait, wait!’ exclaimed Wolf.
‘She will be out of the office for the remainder of today and tomorrow in relation to this. Fawkes will, of course, be happy to continue work on her enquiries in her absence,’ said Simmons firmly.
‘I need to be with Garland,’ said Wolf.
‘You need to consider yourself lucky to still be here at all after the phone call I received from you-know-who-hyphen-what this morning.’
‘Sir, I have to agree with Wolf on this,’ said Edmunds, surprising everyone with his commanding tone. Baxter looked like she might throw something at him. ‘The killer has made the challenge to Wolf. If we alter that dynamic there’s no telling how he might respond. He will consider it an insult.’
‘Good. I certainly hope he does. I’ve made my decision.’
Edmunds shook his head: ‘In my opinion, it’s a mistake.’
‘I may not have a fancy PhD in Cops and Robbers like you, Edmunds, but, believe it or not, I have dealt with a few murderers in my time,’ snapped Simmons.
‘Not like this one,’ said Edmunds.
Finlay and Baxter shifted uncomfortably in their seats as Edmunds obstinately refused to back down.
‘Enough!’ shouted Simmons. ‘You are still on a probationary period here. You would do well to remember that. The killer will attempt to murder Jarred Garland on Saturday whoever is babysitting him. Garland, on the other hand, will not consent to our involvement unless Baxter is the one doing the babysitting.
‘Baxter, bring Fawkes up to speed on your work. Thank you all for the headache. Now go away.’
As the meeting adjourned, Edmunds walked over to speak to Baxter.
‘You little prick,’ she hissed at him. ‘What’s gotten into you?’
‘I—’
‘This is a huge deal for me, and it’s hard enough without you doubting my abilities and embarrassing me in front of my boss.’
Baxter noticed Wolf loitering in the doorway, waiting for a chance to speak with her in private.
‘Know what you’re doing the rest of the day?’ she asked Edmunds.
‘Yes.’
‘Then you can explain it to him.’
She got to her feet and stormed out of the room without acknowledging Wolf. Edmunds smiled weakly at him.