Ripper copycat, killing prostitutes.'
'Maybe we were supposed to think that. He was shot in the same area with a tranquilliser rifle. I don't believe in coincidences, Kate. Check it out, find out if it's the same tranquillising drug.'
'What does it mean if it is?'
Delaney ground his cigarette under his heel. 'I have absolutely no idea.'
He turned to Sally. 'Come on, Constable, you can drive.'
Sally shrugged helplessly at Kate and followed him to the car.
*
George Napier hung up the telephone. He was far from pleased. Serious crimes had just released Ashley Bradley on police bail. On top of that Kevin Norrell had escaped from the police guard at the South Hampstead Hospital. And if that wasn't enough, Delaney had gone walkabout too. Napier opened the bottom drawer of his desk cabinet and pulled out a bottle of milk of magnesia. He had just taken a healthy swig, when Diane Campbell walked into the room. Why couldn't she keep a damn leash on her Irish bloody inspector? he'd like to know. Was it too much to ask?
Diane read his expression and nodded, at the bottle. 'Ulcer?
Napier grimaced. 'Indigestion.'
'It's going to get a lot worse.'
'What are you talking about?'
Diane picked up the TV remote control from Napier's desk, pointed it at the large television in the corner of the room and turned it on. Melanie Jones's picture-perfect face filled the screen.
'Sky News is now exclusively able to reveal a gruesome new development in the murders of two sex workers. One was found on Hampstead Heath three days ago and the second found murdered in a flat in Camden Town. Sky News understands that horrific details concerning the murders lead police to believe they are dealing with a Jack the Ripper copycat killer. Sky News has been given exclusive access to scene-of-the-crime photographs and forensic details that show that there is no coincidence. In a further development, the suspect the police were holding in connection with these killings has now been released.'
Diane Campbell pushed the mute button cutting off the sound as the television now flashed up pictures of the two dead women.
'How the hell did they get hold of this, Diane?'
'The killer told them, sir.'
'Why?'
'Clearly he didn't think he was getting the recognition he deserved.'
'Get that reporter in here. And where the fuck is Delaney?'
It wasn't the first time Chief Inspector Diane Campbell had heard that question, but it was the first time she had ever heard George Napier swear.
Sally pulled the car to a stop outside a betting shop on the Kilburn High Road. It was called Right Bet and was either in danger of going bust or the owners felt it didn't do to advertise wealth.
Delaney struggled to get the seat belt out of its socket and Sally leaned across. 'Let me.'
She pushed the button and his seat belt snapped back. Delaney rubbed his sore shoulder. 'It would be a lot easier if I didn't wear the fricking thing in the first place. I'm in enough pain as it is, you know.'
Sally smiled at him. 'Clunk click, every trip.'
'Just wait here.' Delaney opened the car door.
'You sure you don't want me with you?'
