People like that know they are on borrowed time, he thought. They know it will end badly for them, in a way that’s what they want. Parker knew that one day everything would catch up to him, he knew that he wouldn’t live to grow old with grandchildren nipping at his feet. There would come a time when he would be removed from the game too.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Present

‘Rather helpfully, we received a letter from Caitlin Watts, drafted by her lawyer, that cleared you of any wrongdoing. She said she was sorry for all the pain she caused you and that she was ridden with guilt over the allegations she made against you. It’s being treated as a kind of suicide note,’ DCI Kapoor said to Adrian, who was sitting across from her in her office.

‘I don’t think it was a suicide,’ Adrian said.

‘What makes you think that? Imogen said the same.’

‘Mostly Owen Sager’s body. We suspect whoever is orchestrating this may have staged a suicide before. These people think they are one step ahead of us all the time, they think they’re clever. I think we can move forward with the assumption that maybe Caitlin’s was staged, too.’

‘Well, they have been one step ahead of us the whole time. The good news is that you’re now restored to full duties. DCC Sneddon and the Professional Standards Division are closing the investigation. I know it’s been tough for you, but I’m impressed with how well you have handled it, and hopefully you will see things start to return to normal. Closing this case and finding out how the allegation Caitlin made against you fits into it will go a long way towards further clearing your name.’

‘We are closing in and they know it. If Gary is right about the game, then we are only missing a couple of pieces of this puzzle,’ Adrian said, not wanting to think about the investigation against him.

‘How many people have to die before we figure it out?’ Kapoor said disapprovingly.

‘We need to find Russ Beacham, one other young male and, assuming we are correct about how this is working, one other lecturer. Those are the major players we know about. Assuming my mugging was also connected Beacham doesn’t match the description of the guy who attacked me.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Positive.’

‘That still leaves the question of who is actually committing the murders?’ DCI Kapoor said.

‘We are chasing down some possible avenues. Nothing concrete yet,’ Adrian lied. He couldn’t tell her about Parker. Even if the DCI understood why they hadn’t been able to arrest him, she would have no choice but to do something about it. Adrian wondered why he always managed to screw things up, even when he wasn’t particularly trying.

‘Well, keep me informed and stay away from this particular part of the investigation please, Adrian. If it does turn out that Caitlin Watts didn’t commit suicide, the last thing we need is your name anywhere near it. No offence. You concentrate on finding the final players. Once the press hears about this there is no way they won’t say it’s some kind of conspiracy or cover-up. I’m really looking forward to that.’