Chapter 41

MIKE HAMILTON KNOWS HE IS onto something. He has that feeling like an invisible hook tugging at his gut. Detective Inspector Grace Archer, daughter of a murdered police officer (a killing sanctioned by Frankie ‘Snow’ White, no less), abductee, and the only surviving victim of serial child killer, Bernard Morrice. And here she is, back in the news, pitted against another wacko serial killer. It is a delicious story that barely needs embellishment, but it is missing that key element: Archer’s viewpoint. He still hasn’t heard back from her and has done everything she’s asked including sending her the article for approval and the photographs. He is getting impatient and wants to speak with her, but she has taken to ignoring his texts and phone calls again.

Fucking bitch!

Sitting at his desk he can only half hear the drone of journalist jabber, the rapping of plastic keys and the never-ending ring of telephones.

‘How do I make this happen?’ he asks himself. She’s as stubborn as a mule. He tuts at himself for thinking such a clichéd simile. You’re a journalist, a writer, for Chrissake! Not some bottom-of-the-ladder hack.

He shuts his eyes tightly, rubs his rough cheeks and tries to think.

Over the past week he has divided his focus between Archer’s dubious past and the @nonymous murders. His concentration on the formidable, and let’s be honest, foxy Grace Archer, has caused him some criticism, but that doesn’t bother him. Sales are up and that’s all that matters. But it’s just not enough for him.

‘What’s up, Mike?’ asks Katy.

Mike sighs and frowns. ‘I’m busy, if you don’t mind.’

He can sense Katy looking at his computer, where he has opened an online story from the archives on Bernard Morrice and his final victim, Danny Jobson.

‘I saw a piece in the Express online.’

‘Good for you.’

‘An interview with Danny Jobson’s parents.’

Mike feels his body tensing. How the fuck did the Express get that?

‘So what?’

‘Our sales figures have dropped. Theirs are up. Thought you might like to know.’

And with that bombshell Katy turns and leaves. Mike feels his neck flush red. Katy’s rebellion has begun. She is getting her own back. He is irritated but also impressed. Maybe she’ll make a good reporter after all.

He rereads the old Danny Jobson article and has a thought. Grace Archer has never quite recovered from his death. She tried to save him, but failed. He thinks about Jordan Kelly, who is still missing. Mike sits up, unaware of the grin that has spread on his face. He can see the headline now: CAN DETECTIVE INSPECTOR GRACE ARCHER DO FOR JORDAN KELLY WHAT SHE COULDN’T DO FOR DANNY JOBSON? It’s sounds a little harsh, but he’ll work on that.