‘Because I knew Anna. The Red Cobra. She’s not Kim.’
‘She could have had plastic surgery, changed her face.’
‘Could have. But I don’t think so. The Red Cobra is still out there.’
‘The note? You think the note is legitimate then? That it’s really from her and not someone playing games?’
‘I can’t be a hundred percent sure, but I’d be a fool not to take it seriously. And if she wants Walker dead, then whatever the reason, he’s in big trouble.’
Green went silent, and Ryker could practically see the cogs slowly turning in the detective’s mind.
‘Who are you?’ Green asked, sounding somewhat in awe, but also slightly angry.
‘I’m James Ryker.’
‘I knew there was something fishy about you. Coming here like you did. No one had ever heard of you. I checked you out. Got some colleagues to do the same. Yeah we found your history – jobs, school, blah blah blah. But so what? A thirteen-year-old computer whizz could build a profile like that in minutes.’
‘If you say so.’
‘I knew there was more to you than that. Why would the Home Office have sent some private eye out here when we have the best investigators already working for the Met?’
Ryker shrugged. ‘You think you’re the best. But only because you don’t see everything that’s really happening. Closet mentality.’
Green clearly took offence at Ryker’s words. ‘I’ve seen and done my fair share.’
‘I’m sure you have. But the Red Cobra is another level.’
‘If you say so. Yeah I’m sure you’ve seen some crazy shit. Whoever you really work for maybe you’ve killed far more people than me in your time. You know why? Because I’ve never killed a single person. But so what? It’s not something to brag about. I’m guessing you’re not used to carrying out murder investigations, to dealing with witnesses and victims, and analysing the most incomprehensible bits of evidence to find the tiniest of clues that lead you to the crooks.’
‘No. And I never said any different. I’m not sure what your point is.’
‘My point is don’t take me for a fool, Ryker. I may not know what it’s like to be a government sponsored assassin or whatever it is you think you used to be, but if you want to get to the bottom of Kim Walker’s murder, I can help you.’
‘And I wouldn’t have told you what I did about the Red Cobra otherwise. But I’m telling you this in confidence. What you now know–’
‘What? If I tell anyone, you’ll slit my throat while I sleep?’
Ryker smiled. Green didn’t. ‘Let’s say it’s in all of our interests that you keep quiet.’
‘We need to get Walker into protective custody.’
‘Why?’
‘Why? Because from what you’ve told me there’s a legitimate threat against his life.’
‘Maybe he’s got it coming. I’m increasingly getting the feeling that Walker isn’t the vanilla businessman everyone thinks he is.’
‘Maybe not,’ Green said. ‘But in the real world the police are there to protect people. We’re not killers no matter how much some of the scumbags we deal with deserve it.’
‘So you do think Walker is a scumbag?’
‘Actually not. I think he’s a grieving husband who’s got himself into a hell of a mess.’
Damn right, Ryker thought. Though he didn’t bother to probe Green on exactly what kind of mess he was talking about. Ryker already had his own thoughts on that. ‘You can try to protect Walker. Do whatever you want. But I’d put money on the Red Cobra still finding him if she wants to.’
‘But why does she want to?’
‘And that’s the question. Whatever Walker got himself caught up in, it got his wife killed. And pretty soon it’s going to get him killed too.’
‘And what do you think he got himself caught up in exactly?’
‘You tell me.’
‘I have no idea,’ Green said. And Ryker sensed that Green fully believed his words. But then some people are great actors, Ryker knew. ‘You think the Red Cobra killed Kim?’ Green asked.
Ryker thought about the question before answering. ‘No. But I think her death and the Red Cobra’s presence are connected. Particularly given the link to Kim Walker and Anna Abayev’s profile.’
‘Then what do you suggest we do now?’
‘Go and speak to Walker.’
‘Munroe isn’t going to let you do that. The only way we’ll get the chance is if we have Walker arrested. But we have nothing to arrest him for. And no jurisdiction out here anyway.’
‘Cardo has jurisdiction.’
‘Cardo isn’t here.’
‘How about withholding evidence in a murder investigation?’ Ryker said. ‘Surely that’s a crime?’
‘I mean, it is and it isn’t. I’m no lawyer, but no one is compelled to testify against themselves. Innocent until proven guilty. Right to silence, and all that?’
Ryker turned and looked up at the mansion behind him. He spotted Walker through the windows of the sitting room. He was sat on his own, his face sullen, still staring down at his feet. Walker looked a sorry state. Ryker had interrogated some hard nuts in his time but Walker wasn’t one of them. Getting what he needed from him would be simple. If only he was given the chance.
Ryker got up from the table.
‘Ryker?’ Green said, sounding suspicious.
‘I guess we’ll have to do this the old fashioned way.’
CHAPTER 26
Ryker strode back into the house, Green scuttling behind him. Graham Munroe was in the hallway, talking on his mobile phone. Munroe was slick and slimy, and oozed superiority, and Ryker hated everything about him.
Ryker bounded up to the closed double-doors that led to the sitting room where Walker was still sulking. Munroe must have seen the look of determination on Ryker’s face. He suddenly burst into action and darted over to intersect Ryker.
‘What are you doing?’ Munroe asked, barging in front of Ryker.
Ryker ignored him and brushed past. He grabbed the door handle. Munroe grabbed his arm. Ryker spun round and the look in his eyes sent Munroe squirming back two steps.
‘You have no right,’ Munroe said, his voice wavering as he tried to regain his composure.
But Munroe could do nothing physically to stop Ryker, and all three men in the hall knew it. Ryker was about to turn to head into the living room when there was a buzz on the intercom by the front door. He, Green and Munroe each turned their attention to the small box on the wall. Ryker and Green didn’t move as Munroe back-stepped away from Ryker. He pressed the button on the intercom and looked at the small screen as he listened to the crackled response.
‘It’s the police,’ Munroe said.
Ryker rolled his eyes. That was all he needed.