‘Them as well. They’re going to put listening probes in the embassy walls, so they’ll be needed for that. Tell the rest of the team I want them to come back here for a meeting when the Ripleys get home.’

‘How are we going to man our OPs and carry out surveillance without CO11 support?’

‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’

He went to his office to think.

*

When she’d finished at the cafe, Jane went to the Co-op in the High Street to speak to Emma Wilson.

‘Are you sure?’ a doubting Emma asked.

‘Yes. I spoke to the PC myself after my colleague told me. Your Uncle Asil was never part of your father’s criminal activities. Some people thought he was and were out for vengeance for what your father had done to them. According to Customs and Excise, his current importation business is genuine and they don’t suspect him of being involved in any criminal activity.’

‘But he still abandoned us to save his own skin.’

‘Maybe he was worried about what might happen to him, or he feared for your and Rachel’s safety if he looked after you. It could be that he put you in the care of St Cuthbert’s because he felt, at the time, it was the best thing to do.’

‘If he wants forgiveness, I can’t give it to him – not after all these years.’

‘After your mother was seriously assaulted, Asil helped the police to try and find your father. Perhaps his remorse is genuine.’ She handed Emma a bit of paper. ‘This is a contact number for Asil if you want to speak to him.’

She looked at the details, then held the note tightly in her hand.

‘What do you think I should do?’

‘It’s not for me to decide, Emma. We all make mistakes in life and do things we deeply regret. Forgiving your uncle won’t change the past, but it could change your and Rachel’s future, without her ever knowing the truth about your mother’s death.’

‘I’ll speak to him – but it doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him,’ she replied with a tear in her eye.

Jane put her hand on Emma’s shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze of reassurance, then left.

*

She got back to the office at 4 p.m. and was shocked when Cam told her about the embassy siege.

‘Was anyone killed?’

‘No, but the terrorists are saying they will shoot hostages if their demands aren’t met. We’ve lost all the CO11 officers.’

‘I bet Murphy’s pissed off.’

‘He was at first, but he knows the Anti-Terrorist Squad’s work always takes precedence. Paul Lawrence called and left a message. He wants you to ring him at the lab,’ Cam told her.

Jane went to her desk, picked up the phone and called him.

‘Did you get anything off the key?’