‘We’re doing everything we can,’ he replied. ‘The people who saw her after she came off the bike are going through pictures we have on file. But in all honesty there aren’t many females in the system who match the description or the MO. I’m beginning to think that maybe she’s a hired gun who was imported from abroad.’

‘What about Roy Slack?’ I asked. ‘Is he still in the frame?’

‘He is and I sent Tony Marsden to see him. But he’s still pleading ignorance and if we can’t link the bastard to what’s going on we’re buggered.’

‘Have you stepped up protection for everyone else?’ I asked.

‘As much as we can. But we’re under strict instructions not to wind down the operation. So it means that every member of the team is going around with armed minders.’

‘Does that include you, guv?’ I asked.

‘It does. But as you know it’s no protection against a seasoned pro like this girl obviously is.’

‘What about family members and loved ones?’

‘Everyone who received the texts has now been assigned personal bodyguards. And we’re advising them to move to other addresses or stay indoors.’

‘My mum’s gone to her friend’s place in Ringwood.’

‘I know. We’ve contacted her and there are two officers outside the house already.’

‘What about your family, guv?’

I knew he had a wife and two children and lived in London, but I wasn’t sure where.

‘They left for her brother’s house in Wigan last night. I’m staying put, though. In fact I’ll be going home soon to have a shower and get a change of clothes.’

‘Well, be careful,’ I said. ‘And thank the team for all their kind messages and tell them to take care.’

But even as I spoke I knew that none of us had any control over our own destiny. And that the psychotic cow on the motorbike hadn’t yet finished destroying our lives.

50

Rosa

It was early evening and already dark outside. The target hadn’t yet arrived and Rosa was still in position next to the window of her hotel room. Still waiting patiently to commit another murder.

Appleton Mews was bathed in an orange glow from the street lamps and she’d seen various cars and people come and go. But nobody had entered or left the house with the blue door.

She was hoping she would see the target soon, though, so that she’d still have time to meet up with Alice. She’d told her that she was attending an all-day seminar that would probably finish late. Alice had understood, of course, and had said to come to her apartment whenever she could. Rosa was anxious not to disappoint her, or herself.