Page 105 of Slack Tide Kill

Liam stood. Sally did not budge. "What did you get from them, DCI?"

"Nothing yet, and I'll tell you why. The Rooks all have the same solicitor, and he's advised them to ask for you alone." Her irritation came through in her voice. "They won't say anything to anybody else."

Sally's heart sped up. There was only one reason for that. "They think I'll overstep. Force misconduct and get the case thrown out."

Mayhew exhaled heavily. "I'm sure that's their theory. It's a reach, but there could be grounds." She peered at Sally, exhaustion plain in her dull eyes. "What do you think gave them that idea?"

Sally looked at Liam again, but he kept his gaze fixed on Mayhew. It felt strange, like she wasn't really in the room.

"I broke his arm. He tried to throttle me. Both Liam and I are down a car. They're down a boat. I think we're about even."

Mayhew rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Unfortunately, that's not the way the law works. Every solicitor I've spoken with, and one magistrate too, advises me against putting you in a room with any of the Rooks. It can only lead to disaster."

Sally took a step closer. "Then they're misjudging me. The Rooks think they're laying a trap for me? They're wrong, DCI. It's my trap. Let me in there, I'll get us a real suspect and I'll walk out clean."

"Why do I not believe that?"

Sally bit back a rejoinder. For the moment, Mayhew was not blocking her directly, and she wanted to lean into that. "They're already not talking, DCI. How much worse can it get?"

"A lot. Much worse. But I'm out of cards." Mayhew gazed at her, some steel creeping back into her eyes. "This is your last opportunity in my station, Officer Rogers. There will be no maverick moves. No clever tricks that barely skirt the law. You will follow PACE to the letter, barely a warm body in a chair, while I take lead. Is that understood?"

Sally looked at her. She'd clearly had little sleep, was somehow involved on a personal level, and stood no chance at cracking any of the Rooks. But they'd wasted too much time and energy already on each other.

"Perfectly, DCI."

They both stared, neither looking away, until finally Mayhew stabbed a finger toward the door. "Go shower. Put on another one of my uniforms. Get up to date, and for God's sake, sort out whatever this is between you." She gestured at Liam. "We'll go at Jerome Rook in an hour."

44 ROOK IN THE HAND

After Sally showered and dressed, she found Liam sitting at a desk in the bullpen with DI Gemmell and CSM Akilota. She strode over and stood before them.

"DI, CSM, Liam. Where are we?"

"Not far off, ma'am," Gemmell began. He seemed slower than usual, almost as drained as Mayhew. "The Rooks are quiet. Nancy Cagen's family have nothing to offer; no unusual recent relationships or behavioral changes. There's nothing further on Harrow, either, not from his friends, family, the Black Hind or door knocks in the area."

She turned to Akilota. "Dwayne?"

"Forensically, the scene around Nancy Cagen was very clean." He seemed torn. "We found trace fibers on the body, but nothing significant. There were boot prints around her, but they're a standard make and size, sold in large numbers nationally."

She considered. "Anything on access to the Sound Mirrors?"

"Multiple routes through the marsh. None of them are overlooked, though." He shrugged.

Sally had figured about as much. "You've all heard what Roarke Rook said in the sewer? He seemed surprised that Cagen was dead."

Akilota looked at Gemmell, and Sally felt something unspoken pass between them.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It seems only you heard that, Sally," Gemmell said gently. "And the Rooks have said nothing else since. So, as of now, they remain our best suspects."

Sally bit back a retort. She couldn't blame them for that. In any case, it all came back to Jerome Rook.

"Got it. Liam, you want a coffee?"

He turned to her. His expression was every bit as flat as in Mayhew's office. "I've had mine."

She grunted and headed for the canteen. She'd eaten nothing yet, and there was a queasiness in her stomach. Her hand tremored as she poured the coffee and collected a few remnant Danishes. The first sip was hot, bitter and awful. She forced down a Danish then went to stand in front of the Cagen whiteboard.