Kelly’s mind wandered to London and the Coryn Boulder case, which had led to her shameful departure from a job she had loved almost four years ago. It was her first and only experience of misogynistic betrayal at the Met. But now she couldn’t help thinking that she faced a similar threat. And it caused the same anxiety. In her core, she knew that Ormond was up to no good; she simply couldn’t explain his behaviour any other way. Now she had something to work on. It was something to take to the counter-corruption intelligence unit.

She tried to concentrate on her job in the moment, to distract her. Worrying about everything wouldn’t get them answers.

‘Any new intel on where the Cotton brothers are?’

‘No. But I did get a message from the lab on the bag of clothes found in Tyrone Fenton’s flat. They performed a Kastle–Meyer test, and it’s positive. It’s blood.’ The test used the chemical phenolphthalein to detect haemoglobin.

‘Encouraging. DNA profile?’

‘They’re working on it.’

A call came through to Kelly’s personal mobile. Superintendent Ormond.

‘Shit.’

She took the call with clenched fists and heart pumping. She felt sick. She’d begun to believe his threat was all hot air.

‘Sir.’ She spoke firmly.

‘Porter.’ He sounded drunk. ‘What can I tell Tom Watson?’

‘It’s early days yet, sir.’ She didn’t want to let on that Tyrone Fenton had just walked into Eden House, nor did she want a lengthy exchange with an aggressive high-ranking officer under the influence.

‘I’ve come to expect this from you, Porter. It’s a bit like that case that finished you in London, isn’t it? Leaving loose ends, going your own way. Find the evidence, or you’re finished. You’re close to suspension as it is over your bungling of the interview notes of a prime suspect.’

‘Excuse me, sir?’ Kelly’s stomach dropped to her feet.

‘Losing vital interview records; I have the report in front of me now. A technician familiar with HOLMES has confirmed that you were responsible for the interview of a key witness and potential suspect, and there’s no record of it. Check your notes, Porter. Sloppy work. This is your final warning.’ He hung up.

‘Guv?’

Emma’s voice was a low hum in her head. Kelly’s hands were shaking, and it took all of her strength to compose herself. She was aware that she was crumbling in front of a junior officer and a valued member of her team. Her world was falling apart, but why? The only reason could be that she was getting too close to something.

‘You all right, guv?’