As each grave was uncovered, Chandler studied Gabriel’s demeanour. He remained at the fringes, eagle-eyed, giving little away. Chandler wondered if he were thinking about just how close he had come to having his own plot here in this unforgiving ground.

29

With the professionals in place, Mitch dismissed the majority of the others, posting a couple of his team as site security and another couple in the car park to monitor the reporters who would no doubt be desperate to find out what was going on now that the chopper had appeared.

Chandler approached Mitch. He nodded towards the still-handcuffed Gabriel.

‘What do we do with him?’

‘Has he asked to be released?’

Chandler shook his head. He had expected some sort of rant about being kept captive then dragged out here to relive his experience, but Gabriel had merely watched on as if shocked to the core as they had uncovered the bodies. ‘No, but his lawyer will surely press for it, given that we know it’s Heath.’

In response, Mitch bit on his oddly blue lower lip. Mitch’s theory of the two being in partnership seemed to be in ruins but Chandler recognized the reluctance to acknowledge that he was wrong. Not that he was in any position to gloat.

The next question caught Chandler off guard.

‘What do you think?’

Chandler paused. He waited for some ruse but there seemed to be none.

‘I think that there is no harm keeping him around on the pretext of tying up loose ends. If we let him go he could disappear. He has no address and no reason to hang around after what has happened to him. He escaped once and was hard to find. If we give him a day’s head start we might never find him.’

The nod from Mitch suggested that he agreed. It felt odd to work in true partnership once again, rousing a warmth in Chandler that was only partly due to the weather.

‘There is a chance that he’ll thank us for saving him,’ said Mitch.

‘A remote chance,’ noted Chandler.

‘If he starts making noises or threatening to sue, then release him,’ said Mitch. ‘But get some form of forwarding address.’

This was the answer Chandler wanted. Heath might be their killer, but a few questions still clawed at the back of his skull.

Chandler got ready to guide Gabriel back through the woods.

‘Thank you for your help, Mr Johnson,’ said Mitch, removing the cuffs from Gabriel’s wrists.

‘I was glad to help, but I’m also glad it’s over. Out here it all came back to me.’ He looked at Mitch, then Chandler. ‘Now hopefully you can make it stick. Now you found his shirt.’

‘We’ll do our best, Mr Johnson,’ said Mitch, before striding away to resume command.