Page 14 of The Mercy Chair

‘I am? Why?’

‘Because I’m not coming with you,’ Flynn explained. ‘Not this time. I have my hands full with this audit.’

Poe walked into the far corner of the reception area. ‘Can I have a word in private, boss?’ he said.

Flynn followed him. Linus did too.

‘Doesn’t look like it,’ she said.

‘Go away, Snoopy,’ Poe said.

‘For Pete’s sake,’ Linus said. ‘Could you be any ruder?’

‘If Tilly will ever let me swear again, yes. Now, fuck off.’

Linus scowled and for a moment Poe thought he wasn’t going to back down. But eventually he lowered his eyes and rejoined Bradshaw on the pleather seats.

‘I’m sorry, but this is happening, Poe,’ Flynn said as soon as Linus was out of earshot. ‘This came from the director, and I got the impression he was under orders as well.’

‘It wasn’t two years ago we broke up that looted antiquities ring,’ he said. ‘And they were buying directly from Al-Qaeda.’

‘What’s your point?’

‘My point is you don’t have to go too far back to find SCAS’s contribution to the counterterrorism agenda.’

Flynn didn’t answer.

‘Which means the counterterrorism budget angle is bullshit,’ Poe continued. ‘It’s a way in, not the end game.’

‘The director and I have just had the exact same conversation,’ she said.

‘I know you have. And that’s because neither of you are stupid people. So what’s this really about? Who is this guy?’

‘We don’t know,’ she replied. ‘And that’s what worries us.’

Chapter 11

‘Call Superintendent Nightingale for me can you, Tilly?’ Poe said, putting his foot down to get past a caravan. The M6 at Birmingham was predictably lively and he wanted to get through it before rush hour started in earnest. It would tighten again around Manchester, but Lancashire and Cumbria would be free and painless.

He had half-heartedly tried pushing back against Linus, but Flynn wasn’t having any of it.

‘Just pretend I’m not here, Sergeant Poe,’ Linus had said from the back of the car.

‘That won’t be a problem, Snoopy,’ Poe had replied, adjusting the rear-view mirror so he couldn’t see him.

Bradshaw found Nightingale’s number and pressed call. She answered immediately. ‘Where are you?’

‘Almost through Birmingham, ma’am,’ Poe replied.

‘About three hours away?’

‘Give or take. Traffic should ease up soon and I’ll make decent headway. Where do you want us?’

‘It’s only the two of you this time, I understand. No DI Flynn?’

‘Just me and Tilly I’m afraid, ma’am.’ Linus cleared his throat. Poe ignored him. ‘There’s some pain-in-the-arse audit thing going on in the NCA and SCAS has been dragged into it. She’s had to stay in London.’

‘Do you know what’s happening here?’

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