‘So Josh was married to one half-sister, and sleeping with the other? I don’t bloody believe it, this case gives me a damn headache.’
‘You have no idea how long it took to put all the pieces together but I’ve copies of all the birth and marriage certificates to prove it, and I am certain none of them knew they were in incestuous relationships.’
‘My God, this’ll be major fodder for the press, considering who Lady Lynne is and all her big-time contacts,’ Langton groaned.
‘Gloria Lynne has to be arrested immediately. I wouldn’t put it past her to kill her daughters to save her own skin.’
‘No, no, just wait a second. You cannot arrest Gloria without higher authority. You need to talk to Walters first, you know that.’
‘And you know full well he will want a complete report and all the evidence before making a decision,’ Anna retorted.
‘That’s just the way it goes when it comes to the rich and powerful…’
‘Well, the way I see it, the law is the same for everyone, and if I have reasonable suspicion that Gloria has committed a crime then it’s my duty to arrest her.’
Langton knew from the tone of her voice that Anna was determined to have her way, and he was growing increasingly worried that she hadn’t grasped the political situation she was walking into and that her stubbornness would be the downfall of her career.
‘Anna, just hold off. We can fly out together and be back in London by Tuesday. You can give me a full run-down and I will go with you to see Walters and plead your case.’
‘I’m already on the plane – it’s going to be taking off any minute’
‘What?’
‘I’ve got to go,’ she said and he snapped back angrily.
‘Anna, it’s just one more day, that’s all I’m asking, please wait for me to get back and we can sit down and discuss it all.’
‘I don’t know if I can do that, I can’t risk Walters saying no when other people’s lives may be in danger. There’s enough to justify Gloria’s arrest and interview.’
‘I don’t doubt that, but just hear me out…’ Langton paused before continuing. ‘Here’s the deal, you wait for my return, we don’t go to Walters as I’ve decided from the evidence you presented to me that Gloria should be arrested. I will make the arrest myself and interview her with you.’
‘No, I can’t let you do that; now you’ve got Fitzpatrick you could make Commander. I won’t let you throw that chance away for me,’ Anna said, upset at Langton’s suggestion.
‘It’s too late. Walters decided my promotion fate ages ago and even with Fitzpatrick dead he’s not going to give me anything. Walters has always been out to get me. He’ll use any excuse, no point in pretending otherwise. If Gloria’s arrest goes pear-shaped on my watch, who cares? Walters can shout at me but he’ll have no grounds to sack me. I’ve got nothing to lose and I relish the chance to stick two fingers up at him.’
Anna realized that Langton was prepared to take the fall to protect her career, and no matter how noble, she thought it was wrong. There had to be a better alternative but she needed time to think of something that he would agree to.
‘I’ll wait until Tuesday,’ Anna said reluctantly.
‘Good, I’m glad you’re seeing sense. Don’t tell anyone else about what we’ve said, not even Mike Lewis. You can tell him you’ve had a brief conversation with me and I told you to get back to London and I’m on my way back to discuss your findings. Tell the team about Aisa, but don’t say anything yet about Gloria being a murder suspect.’
Anna sighed. ‘That won’t be easy, as her being blackmailed by Samuel led to her poisoning Josh.’
‘Well it’s up you, but remember walls have ears in the Met and that’s how Walters likes to keep up with what’s going on.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be discreet.’
Anna thought he was about to hang up but he continued. ‘Oh, and forensic-wise, tell Pete Jenkins to do whatever you need.’
‘It could be very expensive.’
‘Who cares, if it helps prove your case then blow the bloody budget,’ he said and hung up just as the seat-belt warnings came on and the engines started throbbing. The flight attendant cleared the half-finished champagne and untouched nuts, and Anna turned off her mobile and clicked her belt closed.
She recalled Langton’s words on the plane out when they were flying to Dulles, but now it seemed that his final success in tracking down Fitzpatrick was not the redemption he had thought it would be. She wondered if Langton had already made his mind up to call it a day and retire. It was humbling to acknowledge that he was prepared to tarnish what might be the last days of his career to save hers.
After take-off, Anna was so tired that she just wanted to recline her seat and fall into a deep sleep but she knew that she’d have to compile a full report of everything she had discovered, and as time was of the essence, she got out her laptop and started to work. Exhausted, she fell asleep whilst still typing her report, and woke when a flight attendant gently shook her to ask if she would like some breakfast. Looking at her watch she realized that she had only slept for an hour but it seemed much longer. It suddenly dawned on her that with all her rushing around she had forgotten to arrange for someone to pick her up at Heathrow.
She asked the flight attendant if they were back on UK time and on being informed it was seven thirty a.m. she used the on-board phone to call Paul Barolli’s mobile. To Anna’s surprise, he was already up and getting ready for work, and sounded extremely pleased at hearing her voice and interested in how she was doing. Anna told him that she didn’t have time to go into details but she needed him to meet her at Heathrow terminal five arrivals in two hours. Barolli immediately asked her what had happened but she swore she would explain all when she saw him, asking him meanwhile not to tell anyone about her return. He promised he wouldn’t and Anna knew that she could count on his trust and loyalty.
She nipped to the toilet and had a quick freshen-up then enjoyed a bacon roll and some coffee before landing. Although she was still tired she was now running on adrenalin and looking forward to being back in London and eventually arresting Gloria Lynne.
‘Seems like only two seconds ago I was saying bon voyage to you,’ Barolli remarked, greeting her with a big smile and taking her bag. He was desperate to find out why Anna had suddenly returned to London, but knowing her so well he figured it was best not to ask and that she would explain in her own time.
‘I missed you so much I just had to come home,’ she teased.
Barolli laughed. ‘I called the office and said I was going to the dentist with a sore tooth.’
‘Thanks, Paul, I appreciate this,’ Anna said, scrolling through the e-mails on her phone as she walked through the crowds. Her eyes flew to one from Joan sent late the previous evening informing her that there was an unidentified body at Fulham mortuary that had been brought in late evening 6 November 2012 and might be Samuel Peters. Anna couldn’t believe the date, as it was the same day Josh’s body was found. Her gut told her that Gloria Lynne had visited Samuel that day and poisoned him.
‘So you want me to drop you off home or are we going to the office?’
‘Fulham mortuary, please.’
‘To see Doc Harrow?’ Barolli asked.
‘Not if I can help it. With a bit of luck we are going to see Samuel Peters,’ Anna said confidently.
Barolli was now even more curious. ‘I don’t wish to appear nosey, but is there any chance you can tell me what the hell is going on?’
‘I will, Paul, but it’s all rather complicated and I want to speak to everyone at the same time in an office meeting. I can tell you that I am almost certain that Samuel Peters’ body is in the mortuary and has been since just after Josh Reynolds died.’
‘Bloody hell, and we’ve been farting around searching for him here there and everywhere!’