Spencer headed for the electric kettle, muttering to himself, as Jane took out her compact. If Spencer wanted to make an impression, she was damn well going to make one herself.

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

Jane had passed the diary over to one of the clerks, who had hurriedly taken it in to Tyler’s office. She could hear the low voices from inside his office but did not know for sure who was in there. She went back to working on her report.

Other members of the team were arriving in dribs and drabs, some hurriedly typing up reports, others bringing in teas and coffees. The room felt stiflingly hot and clouds of cigarette smoke hung in the air. Jane printed out her report and went over to Spencer’s desk.

‘Are you going to suggest a search warrant?’ she asked quietly.

‘Yeah, yeah . . . ’ He leaned towards her. ‘What do you think is going on in there?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but it’s got to be something big. I overheard one of the detectives saying something like Harry Belafonte was coming in.’

Spencer looked up. ‘You’re fucking joking! The actor? He’s not on any list from the agency.’

‘I think he was referring to some high-ranking fixer from Scotland Yard, not the movie star.’

She looked around the room as even more officers were arriving. Jane decided to grab a bite to eat in the canteen before the meeting started.

By the time Jane had washed her hands and tidied her hair, it was coming up to four p.m. When she got back to the boardroom, it was packed full. Detectives were seated around the table, apart from five empty chairs at the top. The folding chairs were mostly occupied as well, and she was thankful when Spencer signaled that he had saved her a chair beside him. She passed along the row and sat down.

The murmur of voices stopped abruptly as DCI Tyler walked in. He was wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and tie, which, by the creases, looked as if he had just taken it out of the packet. Behind him was shorter man who was slightly overweight, but with a square jaw and iron-grey hair, which gave him an air of toughness. Jane recognized him as Edward Walker. He was the Detective Chief Superintendent controlling four sections – their station included – and he had a formidable reputation. An old-fashioned copper who had worked his way from the ground up, Walker was known to take a hard line with his officers and was famous for his rigorous interrogation technique.

Tyler waited as the female clerk carried in a jug of water and plastic beakers, then poured a glass of water for himself and one for Walker. Three chairs remained empty beside them.

‘I doubt he needs an introduction, but this is DCS Walker. He’d like to say a few words before the briefing begins.’