‘As I said,’ he continued. ‘It was very good police work. And I will ensure that you are commended for it. I am concerned, though. The Hollands are desperate to find their daughter and we might need fresh eyes at this stage. You don’t look like you’ve slept and I know you’re dealing with a loss, too. You were close to Sean’s wife, weren’t you?’

Tom nodded brusquely. He wasn’t prepared to give this man anything of his private life.

‘That’s a lot to deal with. Then there’s your conduct in the hospital just now. I’ve had a complaint from the hospital administrator that you threatened to arrest him and then you nearly had to be forcibly removed from Lane’s room. Is that true?’

‘They were trying to prevent me interviewing the only man who might know where Fiona Holland is. I don’t have a crystal ball. If that girl is in danger, we have no way of finding her unless he confesses.’

‘And did he tell you where she was?’

Tom stared down at the table.

‘No.’

Kennedy sighed.

‘We’re only having this conversation because I have your best interests at heart, Tom. All the good you’ve achieved in arresting Lane will be lost if you fail to find Fiona. And other things might come to the surface then.’

‘Like what, exactly?’

‘Well, like you casting aspersions on members of the force – and making accusations against Sergeant Healy.’

Something inside Tom snapped.

He was exhausted and he was grieving, and all of that he had to leave to one side while he concentrated on finding Fiona. But to be expected to cope with this arsehole and his self-serving agenda as well? No. That was too much.

‘I don’t want to argue with you, Sir,’ he said, his voice low. There was an edge to it that even he didn’t recognise. It sounded quite calm, but incredibly dangerous. ‘But I am going to leave this room now and return to my investigation.’

‘And if I stop you?’ Kennedy said.

The words came out of Tom’s mouth before he could censor them.

‘If you try to stop me, you’ll leave me no option – I will phone Assistant Commissioner Bronwyn Maher. I’ll start by telling her my concerns regarding some of our colleagues around the country and their responses to missing women who fit a certain profile.

‘And then, Sir, I’m going to tell her that I’ve reconsidered. That, in light of the success of this investigation, I’ve decided I am happy to be promoted. I want to ensure this force continues in the progressive vein pursued by the likes of Sean McGuinness and Bronwyn herself. And I’m not sure that there’s anybody better than me to do that.’

Tom looked up and straight at the chief.