‘Hell-o?’
I recognised the voice immediately, and Nat gave me a thumbs-up. ‘Can I ask who this is, please?’ he asked.
‘This is Sergeant Edward Newton, Northumbria Police. But you can call me Ed.’
Nat grinned. ‘Evening, Ed. Good to talk to you again.’
‘How’s it going there, son? Everyone okay?’
‘Hello, Call-Me-Ed,’ I said. ‘It’s Lili here.’
‘Well it’s lovely to hear your voice, sweetheart. And that lad of yours?’
‘He’s here. He’s good. Just about in one piece.’
‘That’s very good to hear.’ There was genuine relief in Ed’s voice. ‘I’m so bloody sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. The Chief Inspector was a bit keen to have his mates handle the case – should have known the dodgepot was up to something. We’ll get things sorted now though, love. I promise.’
‘Good. Because I really want to go home.’
‘Well let’s make a start, shall we? Nat – have you got some addresses for me, son?’
‘Yup,’ Nat said. ‘Have you got a pen handy?’
*****
The porcelain trinket dish that Finn was using as an ashtray began to overflow as he stubbed out one cigarette after another, and the study was enveloped in a haze of smoke. I sat by him and watched the snow whirl against the glass and pile up on the windowsills.
At twenty past two, the phone rang again.
‘Here we go,’ Nat said, and picked up. ‘Hi there.’
‘Ed Newton, reporting in.’ His equable voice filled the room. ‘Everything still okay at your end?’ There was a soft hiss and crackle of static on the line.
‘Seems to be.’
‘Good, good. Now look, the bloody weather’s taken a turn for the worse; some Arctic front or other moving in just in time for Christmas. If there’s a bit of a delay getting to you in the morning, don’t fret. I’ll hotwire a snowplough if I have to, but we’ll get there.’
‘No problem. We’ll just keep everyone in their rooms until you arrive.’
I thought I heard Ed stifle a laugh. ‘Excellent. Must have been some nightcap eh?’
‘Must have been,’ Nat agreed.
‘Right then, on to the important stuff. I’m delighted to inform you that Marguerite Masterson’s currently having a cuppa with two young PCs from the Grampian force, and I’ve just had a call from my contact in the Garda to say that they’re taking Sinéad and Niamh Strachan straight to a safe house as we speak. Apparently as soon as I mentioned the name ‘O’Halloran’ they decided not to take any chances.’
‘So they’re safe?’ I asked.
‘Yes, Lili, love. They’re safe,’ came the reply.
Finn
All bets were off.
Somewhere in the distance, Henry started snivelling, and I turned to Lilith. ‘Could you give me a hand to get to the window, please? Think I need some air.’
‘Sure.’
I made my way to the French windows and pushed them open. Snow flurried around our faces, and at last I could breathe. ‘It just doesn’t seem real, Lili. I trust the fella, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think it will, not until I hear their voices, see them. If they want to see me…’ I was caught off-guard by the sudden catch in my voice.
‘They will,’ Lilith said, with such certainty that I nearly let myself believe her. Just enough to stop me becoming as big an eejit as Henry. Lilith placed her hand over mine on the balcony rail, and we watched the snowflakes settle and thaw on her golden skin.
The silence was broken by Henry blowing his nose again. ‘Right, enough of my nonsense. Coffee. That’s what we all need. I’m sure you’ve still got work to do, young man. I may not be able to assist with the technology, but I can certainly provide you with sufficient fuel for your labours.’
‘I’d appreciate that,’ Nat said. ‘I could do with caffeine hit before we go into round two.’
‘And then I should really go and relieve Gabriel. The poor boy must be worn out.’
‘That’s a bit full-on for your first date, isn’t it?’ I said.
For a second, Henry’s bottom lip wobbled, then he gave a snot-ridden giggle. ‘Finn Strachan, don’t be dreadful!’ he chided, and tears sprang to his eyes again. ‘Oh goodness, Finn, it’s true, isn’t it? They’re safe?’