Carol gave an almost imperceptible nod. ‘What you have to remember is that I’ve never done undercover before. I want all the back-up I can get. If I get burned, I need to be able to get clear in a hurry. With the best will in the world, Larry, you’re not going to be much use to me up here in The Hague. If it all goes belly-up, Petra’s the one who’s going to have to deal with it on the spot. We need an arrangement to cover that eventuality. It’s not as if she’s going to be sitting glued to her computer twenty-four seven. And if the shit hits the fan, I may not even be able to get back to the apartment to access the computer. I want an insurance policy, Larry, and from where I’m sitting, that’s Petra.’

Gandle pursed his lips. ‘I’m not happy about this. Maybe it would be better if I came to Berlin too. Then you could liaise directly with me.’

Carol shook her head. ‘You don’t know the background like Petra does, and you certainly don’t know the city like she does.’ He still looked mutinous. Time to play her ace. ‘Morgan told me I should set up systems that I felt comfortable with. And this works for me. If you’re still not happy, I suggest we run it past him.’

Gandle flushed. ‘I don’t think that will be necessary. If it’s what you want, I’m prepared to support you. Though, for the record, I do have my reservations.’

‘Thank you,’ Carol said prettily. It was good to know that Morgan’s name carried as much clout as she had suspected. ‘That’s settled, then. Petra, you said you wanted to talk about how I infiltrate Radecki’s world. What did you have in mind?’

‘If you are going to do these things, they should be done in style. I have a plan that I believe is both stylish and also calculated to hit Radecki in his weakest spot,’ Petra said.

Carol grinned. ‘I can’t wait to hear it.’

Chapter 19

19

The phone was ringing as Tony walked back into his office after a lecture that he feared had bored his students almost as much as it had him. He grabbed it as he slumped into his chair. ‘Tony Hill,’ he said, covering his ennui with a coating of brightness.

‘Dr Hill? This is Penny Burgess. I don’t know if you remember me …’

‘I remember you,’ he said abruptly. Penny Burgess had been the crime correspondent of the Bradfield Sentinel Times when Tony had been working with the local police on his first serial killer case. She’d dogged his footsteps and done her best to turn him into a household name.