Bailey shrugged it off. ‘I’ll be fine.’

Frank eyed her in admiration. ‘I don’t doubt that you will.’ He paused and snorted an ironic laugh. ‘You know, the drugs squad are under the impression that this whole outcome was part of this “new angle” that you were working on. I thought it better not to tell them that we were just stringing them along for most of the time. After all, they’re over the moon with the results, so why shatter their illusions?’

Bailey allowed herself an amused smile. She liked to see Frank looking happy. It was such a rare occurrence normally.

He leaned in conspiratorially. ‘This whole thing is certainly not going to do your career any harm, and… between you and me, I’ve heard whispers that a commendation might be in the works for you.’

‘I’m not interested in awards,’ said Bailey, shrugging indifferently. ‘I just want to catch Amber. As far as I’m concerned, the job’s only half done. She’s as much responsible for Alice’s death as Leonard was.’

A review of the forensic analysis from the prison would likely confirm the connection between the murders there and the original Hairdresser slayings. Leonard’s involvement now looked to be beyond doubt and his death tied up that investigation from a cold case perspective. But there was still the painfully outstanding issue of Amber. As Felicia Lee, Amber had already been a fugitive in her own right, but now she was also wanted for assisting Leonard and for directly murdering Poppy, and Bailey was determined to catch her, not least because of her complicity in Alice’s death. It really stuck in her craw that she’d let Amber get away and she knew she would never feel satisfied until she’d got her locked up, back on the right side of the bars. For Bailey it was a personal mission.

But it seemed that Amber had gone to ground. There was absolutely no sign of her anywhere. She had been clever enough to evade detection once before and she was no doubt putting those skills to good use again right now. She was a dangerous and devious individual and Bailey had killed the only person she’d ever been close to. Recalling Amber’s parting threat, Bailey now wondered if she herself had more to fear from a vindictive and vengeful Amber than from the ABC’s numerous affiliates.

She looked around her at the crowds of pedestrians, at the cars and buses whizzing past, at the windows of the office blocks overlooking her and she felt a chill go through her. She had a feeling that somewhere out there Amber was watching and waiting. Waiting to get her.

Unless Bailey got her first.

‘What’s on your mind, Bailey? You look perturbed.’

‘Oh nothing,’ she said.

Frank paused for a few moments.

‘How do you feel about coming back and working for me again? Undercover. On a more regular basis. I’ve got some interesting opportunities lined up. We make a good team you and me.’