When Gerry had finished her account of the meeting with Jade and subsequent attack by Tariq’s crew, everyone remained silent for what seemed like a long time, but was probably only about fifteen seconds. Both Carver and Annie had been taking notes. Gerry had already written out the salient features with her good hand while she had been waiting, while it stayed fresh in her memory. Banks had just listened and absorbed. He hadn’t really worked on the case the way Gerry and Annie had—he had his own one to worry about—but he was technically the SIO, and the boss, so she knew that Annie had kept him up to date with developments. She wondered if AC Gervaise knew. If she didn’t by now, she would soon. And ACC McLaughlin. Maybe even the chief constable and police commissioner. Christ, she was in trouble. The only things that could ameliorate her errors at all were a lot of luck and her actions bringing about a quick solution to the case.

“Why did you leave her?” Carver asked. “For Christ’s sake, why didn’t you bring her in?”

Just as these words were out of his mouth, the door opened and AC Gervaise and ACC McLaughlin entered. Carver stood to attention and both Banks and Annie got up to greet them. Gerry scanned their expressions for any clue as to her fate but could find nothing.

Well, Gerry thought, I hadn’t expected a medal.

“I TAKE it you know who the personnel involved in tonight’s fracas are?” Annie asked Carver.

“Some of the players. Sunny, Faisal, Ismail and Hassan are part of the Town Street business association, so we’ve met once or twice over local issues. Not that I’d say I know them or anything.”

“Course not,” said Annie softly. “Or anything about their other activities.”

Carver glared at her. “No.”

“What about the girl, Jade?” Banks asked. He noticed AC Gervaise put her hand on Annie’s shoulder and give her a look he assumed to say, “Cool it.” Protocol had to be followed, Banks realized. Annie couldn’t be allowed to blow off her feelings at a senior officer in the presence of the assistant chief constable, however forgiving he might be.

“Could be anyone.” Carver gave Gerry a glance of rebuke. “It’s not as if we have her in custody to check her story.”

“What was I supposed to do?” Gerry said. “She was scared. She’s told me all she knew. She hadn’t done anything. She was the victim here, or don’t you remember that?”

“That will do, DC Masterson,” said Gervaise.

“Sorry, ma’am,” said Gerry, wrapping herself deeper in the blanket, despite the heat. It was more a matter of comfort than anything else, like the old nightshirt she liked to cling to when she was a child. “She told me on the phone earlier that Jade’s not her real name.”