‘Do we get access to the case files?’ Judith asked eagerly.

‘Absolutely.’

‘Pathology reports, ballistics, witness statements, the whole shebang?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then lead on.’

‘Just one thing,’ Tanika added. ‘This is still quite an unorthodox move on my part.’

‘You can say that again,’ Suzie said breezily. ‘I’ve got a criminal record.’

Everyone turned and looked at her.

‘You have?’ Becks asked.

‘Nothing to write home about. Just fraud.’

‘You don’t think fraud’s anything to write home about?’

‘It was a suspended sentence in the end. All spent.’

‘I’d keep that under your hat, if I were you,’ Tanika said. ‘But the point is, my team won’t take too kindly to three civilians joining our ranks. Not that they’ve got any choice. But don’t be surprised if you meet with a degree of resistance.’

Tanika wasn’t wrong.

When she led Judith, Suzie and Becks across the main Incident Room, they could all feel the eyes of the other officers drilling into them. Who were these outsiders? These women? Judith held her chin up in pride, Becks looked at her feet, and Suzie glared back at them as though she’d be prepared to take them all on in a fight.

Tanika took the three women into a small conference room.

‘Okay, this is yours. Whatever you want, just ask, and I’ll get one of the team to bring it to you.’

‘Then we’d like everything you’ve got on all three cases,’ Judith said.

‘I’ll get my data manager to bring through the files.’

‘Seriously? Just like that?’ Becks asked, amazed.

‘But before you go,’ Judith added. ‘I’ve got three questions. Firstly, have you had the Rothko checked in Stefan’s house? The one without the frame?’

‘I got an expert to check it over, just like you asked me to, and he said it’s the real deal.’

‘It’s not a forgery?’

‘The brushstrokes, pigments and age of the materials all suggest it’s an authentic painting by Rothko.’

‘Now that’s very interesting.’

‘But why would Elliot steal a worthless frame from a real Rothko worth hundreds of thousands of pounds?’ Suzie asked. ‘It’s the only bit that’s not worth anything.’

Judith ignored the question.

‘And can you tell me what sort of antique pistol the killer’s been using?’

Tanika smiled, relieved finally to be open with Judith.

‘It’s a Second World War German Luger pistol.’

‘Why would the killer use a German pistol?’ Suzie asked.

‘That’s what I’m hoping you three will be able to tell me,’ Tanika said.

‘Then I’ve got a question,’ Becks said. ‘Please could you explain what’s going on with those medallions you and Judith talked about?’