‘And what would that be, DI Hicks?’

‘You went above Pierce’s head to ensure you became SIO.’

‘And?’

‘Oh, so you admit it then?’

‘I did what was right for this investigation.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘You’d be out of depth as SIO on this case, Hicks. You know it and I know it.’

Hicks’s face burns. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are!’ he hisses.

The copying run finishes and Archer gathers the papers into a folder. ‘We have a meeting. I would suggest you calm down and join us.’

She crosses the office, enters the incident room and sits opposite Pierce. Hicks is behind her, all smiles and banter with the team.

The DCI looks up from her papers, scanning the table, checking everyone is present. Archer notices hollows under her eyes; she looks as if she hasn’t slept.

‘Where’s Quinn?’ asks Pierce.

The team look at each other and shrug. Hicks says, ‘Maybe he had a few too many last night, ma’am. You know what he’s like.’

Pierce seems to consider this for a moment.

‘Perhaps he’s just running late,’ says Archer.

‘Indeed. We’ll start without him. What do we understand about the killer or killers so far?’ asks Pierce without preamble.

Silence in the room.

Archer speaks. ‘It’s early days but it’s safe to assume the killer has access to resources and possibly money.’

‘Killer? So not a group, then?’ asks Pierce.

‘I believe it’s the work of one killer.’

‘What makes you so sure?’ asks Hicks.

‘I’m not discounting any theory yet. However, more than forty-eight hours have passed without word from any organisation with an axe to grind.’ She begins to distribute some of the papers from her folder. ‘This is a CCTV shot from Alaska Street of the man who took Billy Perrin. The quality isn’t great and his face is obscured with a scarf and hoodie, however, from our witness statement, he is above average height, which the picture confirms. It also tallies up with the pathologist’s estimation of his height based on the hand size measurement taken from the bruises on the victims’ necks. The killer was able to overpower Billy Perrin, which also suggests he is strong.’

‘Could be Quinn. He ain’t been around much recently and he’s a big fella,’ chuckles Hicks. A murmur of laughter ripples through room.

Pierce sighs. ‘Very funny,’ she replies, dryly. ‘Please carry on, DI Archer.’

Archer takes out more sheets from her folder.

‘These are the ANPR shots of the van driven by the killer.’

Pierce looks across at Os. ‘Good work pulling these together.’

Os’s eyebrows knit together and he begins to fumble with his laptop.

‘Um . . .’

He looks to Archer, who shakes her head discreetly. From her peripheral vision, Archer senses Pierce looking her way.