When it was over, James announced that a team briefing would take place in half an hour, which would give him just enough time to prepare.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

As soon as James returned to his desk his phone rang. It was Tanner.

‘Did you catch any of the press conference?’ the DCI asked him.

‘I watched all of it, boss,’ James said. ‘It went as well as could have been expected.’

‘That’s what I thought. I was a little thrown by the first question, though. I wasn’t aware that we’d released the information about Carlo Salvi being apprehended at Heathrow.’

‘We haven’t, but Gordon Carver is a sharp operator and he’s got a lot of contacts in the Constabulary. Still, there’s no harm done.’

‘So is Salvi there yet?’

‘No, but he won’t be long. I’ll be holding a briefing first.’

‘Has anything new come up?’

James told him about his conversations with Libby Murphy, Ethan Prescott and Erika Chan.

‘We’ll follow up with Hannigan on what he allegedly said to Rachel, but I doubt he’ll admit that he told her he was prepared to pay someone to do something bad to her.’

‘Apply for a warrant then,’ Tanner said. ‘If the guy is stupid enough to write a threat in a birthday card, then his phone and email accounts are bound to contain other misjudgements.’

‘It’s already in hand.’

‘Good. I’ll be staying here for a while before going home. Call if you need me and I’ll expect an update after you’ve interviewed the boyfriend.’

Tanner then asked James if he’d managed to give some thought to having his name put forward for the DCI job.

‘While I’m here in Carleton Hall I’m going to be bending the ears of a couple of the decision makers,’ he went on. ‘They’re bound to ask me if I’ve approached you yet.’

James didn’t have to think about it. ‘Then tell them you have and that I’m keen to take over from you if they want me to.’

Before calling the team together, James phoned Annie to check on Bella.

‘You’ll be glad to hear she no longer has a temperature or the sniffles,’ his wife said. ‘And she’s all smiles again. So, there was no need for me to take her to the doctor.’

‘That’s great news, love. Such a relief.’

‘I did tell you that it was probably nothing to worry about. Like any small child, she won’t be in tip-top condition all of the time and that’s something you’ll have to get used to.’

He grinned into the phone. ‘Give me time and I will. Probably.’

‘Anyway, how are things going with you? Are you making much progress?’

‘Slowly, but surely. I’ve got a big interview coming up with Rachel Elliott’s boyfriend. We found him just before he was able to leave the country. It means I can’t tell you when I’ll be home.’

‘Well, try to give me fair warning and if it’s not too late I’ll keep Bella up.’