And he leaves. Walking deeper into the darkness he now has no chance of ever escaping.

Artaud will never get to finish reading his book.

137

Old Levant is the prime suspect.

Detective Sergeant Paulson arrives at the old man’s flat but there is no need to break the door down. He finds a hungry dog but, more importantly, he discovers a room full of information about The People of Choice.

Diagrams of the jump sites.

Pictures of the victims.

Information on their jobs and families.

And there’s the wall of death. It is understandably incriminating.

Paulson sees those images of dead strangers connected by coloured pieces of string and his conclusion is that, somehow, the retired pensioner plotted these mass suicides. That he was the mastermind behind the cult that had caused so much disruption in London and around the world.

Get yourself a number two. Somebody that you can throw under the bus when things become too heated.

It does look suspicious. Of course, Paulson will never be able to prove his theory, but it will give the police some temporary hope and the media something to chew over for a while.

For now, it’s a win.

Take that, People of Choice.

138

When Pace returns to the station, Paulson is being patted on the back.

Pace doesn’t join in.

‘Inspector, can I get a word?’

‘It’s good to have you back, Pace. Nineteen people jumping off the top of Tower Bridge means all hands on deck.’

Pace fights the urge to roll his eyes.

‘That’s kind of what I wanted to speak to you about.’

He goes on to explain that he is grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to a professional and he is pleased that he had that time with Dr Artaud.

‘It’s great that he cleared me for duty, it is. And I know that there is so much going on right now with all of this bridge stuff…’

‘What are you trying to say?’ The inspector seems visibly agitated. He has nineteen splattered remains to deal with and the possibility of unmasking this illusive cult leader. He doesn’t have the time for this. ‘Spit it out, man.’

‘What I’m trying to say is that I think you were right. I need to take some time. I need to just get away for a while. Go back home to Hinton Hollow. Regroup.’

‘Are you fucking kidding me? With all of this going on?’

‘Especially with this going on, sir.’

The conversation goes on for longer than either man wants but it is agreed that Detective Sergeant Pace will take a short leave of absence. And with all the focus on mental health, particularly in light of the current spate of suicides, it is the outcome that was expected.