‘Which cemetery?’ demanded William.

‘The one where you’ll find DC Pankhurst’s campaigning ancestor is no longer bothering the police,’ said Ross, before he severed the connection.

‘What the hell was that all about?’ asked Jackie.

‘He knows something we don’t,’ said William, as he flicked a switch. ‘Rebecca?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Where are you?’

‘I’m with the gentleman you asked me to interview at his home in Kensington.’

‘Where is Emmeline Pankhurst buried?’

‘Brompton Cemetery. Why do you ask?’

‘Wrap up the interview and go straight there. Report back if you come across anything suspicious.’

‘What am I looking for?’

‘I don’t know,’ admitted William.

‘Now I’m completely lost,’ said Jackie, as William switched off the radio.

‘It’s not difficult to stay a yard ahead of Sleeman and Verenich,’ he commented, ‘but it’s a damn sight harder keeping up with Ross.’

‘Particularly when he’s dealing with you, sir,’ said Jackie.

William was about to respond when Danny came back on the line.

‘He’s just made his fourth call, sir. After he left, Paul moved in to interview the client.’

‘Good. Stay on the line. There may well be a change of plan.’

• • •

Sleeman slipped out of his office soon after Verenich had left to make his final call. He would be passing through Swindon by the time the body was buried.

He walked for a couple of blocks before hailing a taxi and climbing into the back. ‘Euston,’ was all he said.

Once he’d been dropped off outside the station, he joined a queue in the booking hall and purchased a first-class sleeper to Edinburgh. Before he paid, he asked the woman behind the counter in a loud voice how she had the nerve to charge sixty-three pounds.

The man standing behind him witnessed the unpleasant altercation, but said nothing. Sleeman then made his way across to Platform 7, and was about to board the train when two police officers blocked his path and arrested him.

‘On what charge?’ he demanded.

‘Threatening a railway employee will be enough to be going on with, although I have a feeling there will be more to follow,’ said the commander, who couldn’t remember when he’d last arrested someone.

He reported back to DCI Warwick.

• • •

Two lines were going at once.

‘It’s DC Pankhurst, sir. There’s a recently dug grave at the back of the cemetery, which the chief gravedigger tells me he didn’t authorize.’

‘Stay out of sight,’ said William. ‘We’ll be with you shortly. Danny, where are you?’

‘Verenich has just turned up outside a house in Chiswick and is knocking on the door.’

‘Keep me briefed,’ said William. ‘The rest of you head for Brompton Cemetery in Kensington. Once you get there, make sure you keep out of sight, because Verenich won’t be far behind.’ He switched off the radio and said, ‘Let’s get moving.’

Jackie eased the gear lever into first and accelerated away.

‘I presume you know where you’re going,’ said William.

‘No, sir. But I’m hoping you do.’