Osaki waited for them to choose a direction then went the opposite way. He didn’t need to hear any more of their conversation to know what the offended man thought of him. It was obvious by his response. Seeking help was weak. Pathetic. He might as well have labelled himself a loser, that was the popular phrase, and how appropriate to him. He’d lost everything. His country, his family, his culture. His pride. It was time to do something about it, sooner rather than later. He had made a decision. All that remained was to put it in place.

Osaki set off for the nearest hardware store.

Chapter Fifteen

6 March

Since Callanach’s journalist friend, Lance Proudfoot, had published his online article, the phone lines had been alive with callers offering information about both Fenella Hawksmith and her daughter, Alice. Ava was all too aware that most of it would turn out to be a diversion rather than substance, but they had to start somewhere.

She’d just reviewed Pax Graham’s report on the nursing home murder, noting with dismay the additional evidence that Bruce Jenson’s genitalia had been damaged in the attack. There was no doubt about Callanach in her mind, though. He’d proved himself to her time and again. There was nothing hidden between the two of them, no lies. She’d be willing to bet her life on that, so she was more than happy to bet her career on it.

Callanach had texted her at 7 a.m. to warn her that he’d set up the online article, trying to push for results in the Hawksmith case, while she’d been busy swallowing painkillers for her head and hoping the alcohol hadn’t invalidated the benefits of the antibiotics completely.

‘How was Natasha?’ Callanach asked before Ava had time to look up as her half-open door received a brief single knock.

‘On her usual electrifying form,’ Ava grinned. ‘She asked after you.’

‘I miss Natasha. Why don’t you both come to dinner at my apartment next week?’

‘She’s a bit busy with the latest conquest,’ Ava dissembled. There was absolutely no prospect of her putting Natasha and Callanach in the same room while Tasha was so intrigued by their misconstrued nights together. ‘Good call asking Lance Proudfoot to release the article. Looks like it’s been shared successfully. There’s information flying in.’

‘That’s why I’m here,’ Callanach said. ‘Fenella Hawksmith’s medical notes just arrived. She had a history of suicide attempts, including a period when she was committed to a hospital for her own safety.’

‘Was she still taking medication?’ Ava asked.