The Death Messenger (Matthew Ryan Book 2)(39)

Ryan couldn’t imagine life beyond the end of his career. ‘Some of Frank’s intel may be politically charged,’ he said. ‘We can’t share it, except with each other.’

‘I feel like a spook already,’ Grace said.

O’Neil flashed a worried look at Ryan. He threw her a reassuring smile in return. Even though their employers weren’t playing it straight, it was difficult for her to accept that they might have to use underhand methods to get at the truth. Coming from Professional Standards, that kind of subterfuge didn’t sit well with her.

Time to show solidarity.

Ryan eyeballed the newlyweds. ‘Eloise and I are coppers,’ he said. ‘We have to be careful. If things go tits-up, you’re not the ones whose necks will be on the line. Ford is a nasty piece of work. He wants answers. If he doesn’t get them – or we go too far – he’ll take great pleasure in relieving us of our warrant cards.’

‘And he’ll do the same if you don’t go far enough,’ Newman reminded him.

‘We still have rules and regulations to consider.’

There was an awkward moment.

O’Neil took the pressure off Ryan. ‘We’ll have a briefing at the end of each day, if not here, then remotely. Any questions?’

Grace glanced at her own briefing sheet, all but one item ticked off. She held it up, a flicker of discord on her face. ‘This mentions a voice-recognition expert.’

‘Already in the system,’ O’Neil said. ‘I should have mentioned it.’

As sure as he was of his own date of birth, Ryan had known Grace would bring the matter up. She’d identified the single most important aspect of the case. Ordinarily, their job was about observation. Without sight of Spielberg, they were screwed. It was impossible to form impressions, let alone make judgements, without body language, posture and gestures to go on. Her voice might prove to be their not-so-silent witness. Technology had moved on apace in recent years. Computer programmes could ascertain far more than dialect from the way a person spoke. Clever software was used extensively to detect emotional stress, excitement or confusion in speech patterns, exposing benefit and insurance fraud around the world. It helped law enforcement and criminal intelligence agencies track down the conmen and women who wanted something for nothing.

The discussion was about to turn ugly.

Newman sensed it too.

Both men knew where Grace was heading.

‘The woman taunting us is cold and calculating,’ Grace said. ‘You can’t wait until she kills someone else before you get an opinion on this. We all think it’s the same voice. You know as well as I do how long it will take to organize a full profile. We haven’t the luxury of time. Ryan? We have someone trustworthy in mind, right?’

O’Neil was way ahead of her. ‘That’s not going to happen.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because it’s highly irregular—’

‘And I’m not?’ Grace huffed. ‘Cut the crap, Eloise. You have the opportunity to go to someone with an ear for these things. Ryan’s twin is cheap, discreet and, more to the point, available. She’s also been vetted by the CPS, who, in case you didn’t know, employ her these days. What’s not to like?’ Grace was using her eyes to smile and beg at the same time. ‘C’mon! Caroline is as good on voices as I’ve ever come across in thirty years’ policing. It would be a mistake not to use her.’

‘In your opinion,’ O’Neil said.

She was calm but forceful. Still, Ryan felt the need to step in between the two women. Pushed too hard, O’Neil would never go for it. Grace wasn’t helping. When she had something to say, diplomacy went out the window. There was no way she was backing down. Right now, she was searching his face, waiting for support, determined to get her point across.

The pit bull needed taming.

‘Excuse her bluntness,’ Ryan said. ‘She’s a civilian now with no respect for rank—’

‘Doesn’t mean her point is invalid,’ Newman said.

‘Thanks, pet.’ Grinning, Grace popped a piece of cake into her mouth and spoke with it full. ‘Eloise, I know you’re a detective who, how can I put it . . .’ She paused. ‘Shall we say, prefers a more conventional approach.’

Ryan cut her off at the pass: ‘I think what Grace is trying to say—’

‘Er, excuse me! I can speak for myself. My suggestion may be unorthodox, but Eloise shouldn’t rule it out for that reason alone. We all know that Caroline has an amazing ability to pick up on the finer details of speech and dialect, not to mention emotional undercurrent. So what if it’s cutting corners? We need a break and we need it now.’

Ryan shifted his gaze to O’Neil, using her title this time in case she thought he was taking liberties. Even if Grace no longer appreciated rank, he did. ‘Guv, you know it’s not a bad idea. Caroline would be happy to lend a hand. She’ll work for nothing and immediately. It makes sense, if only until the official report comes through.’ He checked his watch. ‘If you call her now, she might still be at the office.’

‘She’s a valuable asset,’ Newman added.

‘You’ve used her before?’ O’Neil was no fool.

Grace put a hand to her chest, acting the innocent. O’Neil scanned them one by one, three pairs of shifty eyes staring at her. Taking a deep breath, she gave her consent. This unit was beginning to feel incestuous.