Nikki nodded. ‘I get on with him, but I’m one hundred per cent copper, and I’m not stupid. Although …’ she added, ‘… I really believe he’s been used just as much as we have.’

‘By this Fluke character?’

Nikki shrugged. ‘Fluke may not even exist, sir, but there’s someone lurking out there in the shadows, and when we find him, I’m willing to bet that Frankie Doyle will be draped decoratively across his arm.’ An icy smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. ‘Which would be something of a bonus for me. There’s someone I’d so like her to meet.’

The superintendent looked mystified, but Nikki’s smile just widened. ‘Sorry, sir. Private joke between Professor Rory Wilkinson and me.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JOSEPH HURRIED BACK to the DI’s office with his news. Peterborough was on high alert for an imminent shipment, and the estimated street value was in excess of three million pounds. Something that some evil scum would consider well worth killing for.

He knocked on the door and, hearing no reply, stuck his head round. The room was empty and he decided that she must still be with the Super. He walked away, then heard her phone ring. With a little shrug, he went back inside and picked it up.

‘I need to speak to DI Galena. It’s urgent.’

The voice was female, and sounded to Joseph as being distinctly odd.

‘Can I take a message, or get her to ring you back?’

There was a long pause, and he thought the woman had rung off, then he heard her say. ‘I have to speak to her, and there’s no time left.’

Joseph tensed. ‘Who is this please?’

‘My name is Frankie Doyle, and there are things that she has to know.’

The name alone sent a shiver coursing down Joseph’s spine. Was he actually talking to the woman who had deliberately tried to kill Nikki’s daughter?

‘Listen, I’m DI Galena’s sergeant. Tell me what it is she needs to know, and I’ll make sure she gets your message the minute I see her.’

‘No good. It’s her who needs to hear this, and she needs to hear it from me.’

‘Then give me your number. I’ll go find her now.’

There was a strange sort of hollow laugh from the other end of the phone, then he could have sworn he heard the woman start to cry.

‘Are you hurt? Do you need help?’

The answer was a muted sigh. ‘Yes, I need help, but it’s too late.’ There was a pause, then the woman said, ‘You sound nice, whoever you are. Just tell her that she’s got it all wrong. Everything she ever believed about me is all wrong.’

‘Where are you?’

‘Hiding.’

‘Why?’

‘There are some very bad people out here. They kill pretty girls.’

Joseph froze. ‘What do you know about that?’