She started off at quite a pace, ‘I just want to say that I know you think Elinor Fox’s reaction when we found Simeon’s body in her car was genuine but I’ve been thinking it through and I’m really not very sure about her at all because every time I close my eyes and picture her face when she first looked in the boot I see this crocodile grin forming and then it disappears when you turn round and—’

‘Georgie, please.’ Priest held up his hands and she stopped short. ‘If you don’t inhale you’ll pass out.’

‘I’m sorry, I just think—’

‘Yes, I agree.’ Priest nodded, but she seemed not to notice his intonation.

‘OK, maybe you’re right but she does seem very suspicious.’

‘I said I agree.’

Georgie let the door close behind her then bit her lip. ‘Oh.’

‘Come on,’ said Priest, grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair and slinging it on. ‘You can come with me.’

‘Where are we going?’ she said, her eyes wide. She opened the door and he led her downstairs to the front door, hurried through reception and outside; Georgie was a step behind all the way.

‘My flat,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘I left Fox handcuffed to my spare bed.’

Georgie paused. ‘You left her how?’ She continued before Priest could explain. ‘No, it doesn’t matter. She isn’t there anymore.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I just had coffee with her. I think she was wearing your coat.’

Now it was Priest’s turn to pause, and to experience a moment of anxiety. Did Fox kiss and tell? Christ, she must have left the flat straight after me. ‘I thought you didn’t like her.’

‘I don’t. I just thought I could get some information.’

‘Any luck?’

‘Not really,’ Georgie admitted, much to Priest’s relief.

‘We better check my flat anyway. She might have gone back there.’

‘You just left her there? Why?’

‘Because I’m a fuckwit. Now hurry up!’

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Priest meandered through the crowds past the Royal Opera House with Georgie half jogging behind him to keep up. Dark clouds had gathered overhead. The musicians and street artists were looking up anxiously. The wind was changing direction and the air smelt of rain.

‘Goodness you walk fast,’ Georgie wheezed.

‘She obviously worked out how to get out of the cuffs pretty quickly. Where did you have coffee?’

‘A cafe round the corner from mine. She was outside my house.’

‘Shit. How does she know where you live?’

‘I don’t know. She’s like a bad rash that won’t go away.’

After a few minutes they arrived at Priest’s building. He led Georgie through the front entrance, across the flagstone floor. Above them, a conical-shaped lead crystal chandelier was suspended over the open space, crowning the reception hall spectacularly.