Cole sat back and slid the contents from the envelope, a stylish black leather book. He turned it over and saw the words Address Book embossed in gold. The word Fiorenze was pressed into the leather. He opened the book and a piece of Doherty Estates and Properties headed notepaper fell on to his desk.

DS Cole,

Please find enclosed Richard Ezra’s address book. I would be grateful for its safe return when you have finished using it in your investigation.

Yours sincerely

Brian Doherty

Cole opened Richard Ezra’s address book at the A page.

68

10.29 am

Outside Interview Suite 2, Clay heard Sergeant Harris, standing guard on the door.

‘It’s a no-go area for the foreseeable. If there’s anyone else who didn’t get the message, tell them fucking straight and direct them back to me if they’ve got a problem with the concept.’

The stern outburst broke the tense and lengthening silence between herself, Hendricks and Riley.

‘Gina, don’t pick up the phone when it first rings out. Count it in, three or four rings.’

Clay looked at Hendricks’ laptop screen, saw the map of Garston where his mobile was located in Trinity Road on Geolocator, and the box inviting him to type in the mobile number that he wanted to locate.

She looked at the clock on the wall, at her iPhone in Riley’s hand, and made eye contact with Hendricks.

‘As soon as we get a location for his phone on Geolocator, I’ll message Cole and get him to send in the troops. It’s all set up to roll on red alert.’

The minute hand touched the curve of the six’s body and slowly leaked further into the digit, the hum of clockwork in the stillness and quiet of the room. Clay’s index finger hovered over the record button on the audio box on the table.

The display panel of Clay’s iPhone lit up and within a heartbeat the ringtone of an old-fashioned landline rang through the air. She pressed speakerphone and Clay pressed record.

‘He’s calling from a mobile,’ said Riley. ‘07700 913133.’

The second ring.

Hendricks typed the digits into Geolocator.

On the third ring, Riley connected.

‘Hello?’ said Riley. ‘Is that you, Geoff?’

‘It is.’ He sounded happy and light-hearted to the point of oblivion. ‘And that is you, isn’t it, Sally?’

There was a rumble of traffic in the background and it sounded like the call was being made from a street.

A map of Grassendale Park came up on Hendricks’ laptop screen, a small icon, a phone close to the junction of Aigburth Road and Grassendale Road.

Clay sent a message to Cole.

Call switchboard to make a general red alert. All officers to flood Aigburth area near Grassendale Park. Focus on Aigburth Road and Grassendale Road. The Ghoul is outdoors and on the street. Full speed. No sirens. Trace this number. 07700 913133.