‘She won’t succeed by playing that card, not while I’m around. First thing I’ll do when I’m at headquarters is give them my views on her as SIO of the Lawrence case.’
‘What about the future you’re planning away from it?’
He picked up the amusement in Traynor’s voice. ‘It’ll be my finale to ensure that she stays wherever she is for as long as possible.’ He paused. ‘It’s probably the single reason she admitted anything.’
‘Molly Lawrence has the kind of personality which takes the long view. That, plus game playing and manipulation of those around her. It is far too soon for her to succeed in what she’s requesting, but she’ll keep on with it until she does, supported by people who either think they know her or who buy the façade she’s showing them. We could both be involved in her future in some way for years to come, Bernard.’
‘Not me.’ Watts glanced at his draft letter, thinking that it wasn’t only felons that the force held captive. He flexed his shoulders. ‘I’m getting out. I’ve applied for an allotment I’ve seen. It’s a wilderness, so it should keep me busy and non-contactable for the next decade.’
Traynor laughed. ‘This doesn’t sound like you.’
‘This is the new “me” that’s seeing Brophy to tell him I want early retirement.’
There was a short silence, broken by Traynor. ‘I’m happy for you if it’s what you want, Bernard, but I’m also sorry to hear it. Keep in touch. Say hello to Connie for me.’
‘Will do.’ He hesitated, then, ‘Look after yourself, Traynor. Keep on with the fight.’
‘The fight?’
‘Yeah. The one that gets justice.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, my sincere and grateful thanks go to my agent, Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson and to all at Severn House Publishers.
I also want to acknowledge two people to whom I am eternally grateful for so generously sharing their time, professional knowledge and expertise:
Chief Inspector Keith Fackrell, West Midlands Police (Retired) who continues to respond patiently and tirelessly to my queries over several years.
Mark Mastaglio BSc (Hons) Forensic Scientist, Forensic Firearms Consultancy (FFC) Ltd. London who, without knowing me, willingly gave both his time and professional advice.
I am hugely grateful to both Keith and Mark for their help and what they have taught me. Any errors which may have occurred in the writing of this book are solely mine, due to my reluctance to reduce them to shadows of themselves with the hundreds of additional questions I might have asked.
Rule number one: value experts but don’t wear them out.
Thank you, both.
