---

‘I have to admit I had my doubts, but you really pulled this together, Robyn,’ DCI Flint said, head nodding up and down with approval, his neck fat squeezing behind his collar like a concertina. Robyn was reminded of one of the nodding dogs found on car parcel shelves.

‘Only doing my duty, sir. Couldn’t have got anywhere without my team. I’d like to have it noted officially that they all contributed in the investigations, and without their diligence, we would not have had such a good result.’

‘Duly noted,’ said Flint, with a twinkle. ‘It’s also noted that you are rapidly becoming one of my best officers. Have you ever considered further promotion, Robyn?’

She had, on many occasions, but a vision of her old DCI, Louisa Mulholland, sprang to mind, and as much as she admired the woman, she didn’t want to lose sight of what she had – a great team. Their commitment to both the job, and to her, were what kept her motivated each day. She didn’t want to be in a position that distanced her from investigations and work in the field. This was where she belonged.

‘I have, sir.’

‘Should you wish to pursue that avenue, I’d be happy to recommend you.’

‘Thank you, sir. I really appreciate that.’

‘And how is Anna?’

‘She’s fine, sir. The wound was superficial and she’s itching to get back to work already. I had to insist she take a couple of days off with Mitz.’

‘Good. Okay. Right. Thank you, Robyn. It was a fine job.’ He patted the thick file on his desk. ‘Witness statements, evidence and confessions. Couldn’t have got a tighter case. And another murder charge to be taken into account – Johnny Hounslow. I see Ella Fox is pleading diminished responsibility.’

‘That’s correct, sir. She’s undergone psychological assessment, and the clinic report suggests she suffers from anxiety and mental trauma. She was a minor at the time and acted purely to save her brother’s life. I think any judge will have difficulty sentencing her. Liam Carrington confessed to purchasing the gun from a man in the Stag in Stoke-on-Trent in 2000, and then staging Johnny Hounslow’s death so it appeared to be an accident. He’s more likely to be charged. Add to that the attack on Mrs Roper, and he’ll be banged up for a very long time.’

‘Gruesome. What on earth makes people act in such despicable ways?’

‘Fear and greed. They’re often the reasons. Although I think in Fox and Carrington’s case, there was something more – a murky past maybe – something else in the shadows. They have an unusual relationship.’

‘And the child?’

‘Astra’s in care at the moment, but I understand Lauren Gregson is getting advice about trying to adopt her.’ Robyn’s heart lurched as she thought of the little girl, last seen holding an officer’s hand and clutching the toy black cat. Robyn might have been able to take in Schrödinger and look after him, but she hadn’t been able to do the same for the sweet little child with the beautiful eyes.

Flint grimaced. ‘I can’t figure people out,’ he said.

‘We’re not supposed to. We find and deal with those who cross the line, sir. If we thought too much or too often about what we do, we’d all go mad.’

He heaved a sigh. ‘Wise words, Robyn. So, once again, well done and remember what I’ve said.’

‘Thank you.’

Robyn left the office with a sense of worth. The outcome was as good as she could hope for. The lottery jackpot was being returned and the Ropers had been notified they were the real winners. Roger Jenkinson was facing a mandatory five-year sentence for possession of firearms and had been charged for obstructing a police officer. Naomi, who’d convinced him to take Anna to the health clinic in Uttoxeter, had been cleared of any major wrongdoing, although she had been cautioned for perverting the course of justice. Following a full confession, Ella Fox was facing charges for the murders of Henry Gregson, Tessa Hall, Anthony Hawkins and Juliet Fallows, as well as that of Johnny Hounslow.

There would be more conclusive evidence if needed: the fingernail in Tessa’s kitchen might have her DNA on it, the black jacket stuffed into a box in the shed with fibres that would undoubtedly match those found at the scene of Henry Gregson’s death, and the Nike LunarGlide 8 hidden at the bottom of McNamara’s wheelie dustbin. They’d been her brother’s – a brand new pair he’d purchased from eBay at a huge discount. Ella had scooped them up when she stopped off to collect the gun, and stuffed them with socks so they fitted her feet. Robyn had almost admired her logical thinking and attempts to deflect from her guilt. However, try as she might, Robyn still couldn’t dismiss the blank look on Ella’s face. Some event or curse of nature had turned Ella Fox into one of the cruellest murderers Robyn had come across. Ella’s confession had been thorough, right to the end.

‘So you killed all those people to protect your brother?’

‘Yes. But I also did it for me.’ She had turned her face towards Robyn. The scar on her face rose like a thick, flat worm. Even under the concealer, Robyn could see its uneven, thick surface. ‘The others were little more than greedy bullies, but Liam and I deserved that lottery money. We were entitled to it. Liam’s share was for his and Astra’s future. Mine was for salvation, to rescue me from my past.’ A solitary tear trickled down her cheek, tracing the line of the scar. She let it fall.

---

As Robyn meandered into her office, it was to applause. Shearer was alone, sitting in her chair.

‘Congratulations! I just heard. That was some achievement.’

‘It was touch and go for quite a while there.’

‘I knew you’d pull it all together.’

‘Did you, Tom?’ she said, quietly.

He beamed a lopsided grin. ‘Of course I did.’

In spite of his apparent openness, she couldn’t gauge his sincerity. That was the problem with Shearer. Just when you thought he was being nice, he’d drop you in it. It was as if there was always a hidden agenda with him. Had he been hoping she’d fail? She may never know. Whatever his thoughts or motives, she felt he had to be kept at arm’s length.

‘Then thank you.’

‘Fancy a celebratory drink?’

‘I’d love to but I have to get home to Schrödinger.’

His brow dropped and the grin left his face. ‘It’s a cat. It’ll be perfectly fine without you for an hour. It doesn’t need a bath and bedtime story, does it?’

His attempt at humour was weak and he knew it. He stood before she could reject his proposal again and spoke softly as he left the office. ‘You did brilliantly.’

Robyn’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Ross.

Can you meet me in the café in ten minutes? I have some news.