‘What have you got for us, Krish, and what has it got to do with the Home Office?’

‘Just coming to that.’ He reaches into his case, takes out a manila folder and places it on the table with his hands resting firmly on top of it.

‘The contents of this folder are very sensitive.’

Krish’s eyes roll between Archer’s and Quinn’s.

Quinn sighs. ‘We’re in the middle of a murder investigation. Are you going to share what you have or do we have to wait on your chum?’

‘I’m sorry.’ He slides across the folder. ‘Dr Kapur sent us through several blond hairs from the victims in the glass cabinets. Unfortunately, the formaldehyde had an impact on our ability to find a match. However, the site Forensics team were able to find similar blond hairs on the material used to cover the glass cabinets. We tested the follicles and were able to find a match.’

Archer opens the file and looks at the profile and photograph inside.

‘Jesus Christ!’ says Quinn. ‘Are you kidding me?’

‘I wish I were. They belong to the missing MP, Lewis Faulkner.’

Chapter 23

23

‘HANG ON A MINUTE,’ says Quinn. ‘How on earth were you able to match Lewis Faulkner’s DNA and why is he even listed on the database?’

‘It’s no secret he has a history of drug offences including one for domestic abuse. His past occasionally resurfaces in the tabloids,’ replies Archer.

Across the office, she notices DCI Pierce arrive with Sir Peter Davis, a tall, thin grim-faced man wearing an ill-fitting grey pinstripe suit. They make their way toward the incident room.

‘Davis is here,’ warns Archer.

They all stand as Pierce escorts Davis into the incident room. His thick dark eyebrows knit together at the sight of Faulkner’s file. He looks at Krish, his lips curling. ‘I instructed you to wait until I arrived.’

‘My apologies. It seemed to me this couldn’t wait,’ replies Krish.

‘Peter, this is DI Archer and DS Quinn, who are leading “The Forsaken” murders investigation.’

‘Hiya,’ says Quinn.

Davis frowns at the Irishman as Archer hands Pierce the file.

‘I didn’t know about Faulkner’s domestic abuse. This certainly puts a new perspective on the investigation,’ says Quinn.

‘I have known the Faulkner family for over three decades. His father and I are old colleagues. His son and my son are the very best of friends. Lewis Faulkner is innocent of any allegation past or present. Besides, that was a long time ago and the offence was thrown out of the courts!’ says Davis.

Archer holds her tongue, thinking it unwise to mention the costly settlement that was splashed across the papers all those years back.

Pierce closes the file. ‘Conclusions?’

‘It would seem that Lewis Faulkner has had physical contact with the cabinet covers.’

‘What does that prove exactly?’ asks Davis.

‘Well, the same hair was found on the victims,’ says Quinn.