Jane put her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. She didn’t understand why, but she started to cry. For so much of her time with the Flying Squad she had suppressed her feelings when she was being deliberately humiliated, and now the emotion poured out of her. Finally letting go felt good – but it also triggered something in her memory, something she had come across when checking through a report. There had been significant inconsistencies in the monies discovered in every robbery she had been involved with.

Jane sat bolt upright. It was the missing cash that she had brought to Murphy’s attention. He had warned her to keep out of it and told her he would deal with it personally. Without her knowing it at the time, she’d struck a nerve.

*

The briefing kicked off at 8 a.m. DCI Tyler had a bruise just below his eye and seemed out of sorts, but Jane was feeling a renewed confidence, having dressed smartly and blow-dried her hair, as she joined the now diminished team around the boardroom table. There was still no feeling of a job well done, despite Farook having been formally charged with Foxley’s murder at 11:30 the previous night, because they still hadn’t found the motive, but they knew they were getting closer.

It was at this point that Jane asked if she could express her thoughts. DCS Walker had taken charge, and gave her a small nod as she opened her notebook.

‘I think our priority should be to locate Farook’s daughter, Yasmin. Her aunt said that she had returned to her family but we need to check if that’s true.’ Jane could feel the skepticism around the room, but she was not going to back down. ‘I think there’s a strong possibility Foxley’s murder could be connected with family honor. We know there was an incident at a premiere involving Yasmin. We have evidence that a number of underage girls attached to the agency were being paid for sexual favors.’

Tyler rapped on the table with his knuckles. ‘Detective Sergeant Tennison, I have read all your very detailed reports but there is no confirmation that the incident you just referred to involved Yasmin Farook.’

‘Yes sir, but that’s because I have been unable to interview her. I only have her aunt’s word that she returned to their country and is living with a relative there. I do have details of a niece who is being educated in England and I would very much like to have an interview with her to get further information.’

‘Sergeant Tennison, at this briefing we do not need suppositions, nor possibilities, but corroborated evidence that can be put forward as a motive for this man’s butchery,’ Walker said dismissively.

There was silence as everyone looked at Jane.