Chapter 90
Poethought about calling Detective Chief Inspector Tai-young Lee in Newcastle, but decided against it for now. He would need her help in the search for the missing shotguns, but now wasn’t the time to speak to her. He hadn’t yet confirmed that Elcid Doyle had owned shotguns and he was still hyped after discovering a potential link between the two cases. When he called Lee he wanted facts to dominate, not emotion.
He pulled up beside Salt’s Porsche and leaped out. Flynn and Bradshaw were waiting by the front door.
‘I’m surprised you bothered to stop, Poe,’ Flynn said.
‘I came to collect Tilly, boss,’ he explained. ‘Tai-young Lee is going to baulk at releasing Estelle. I’m going to need more than a theory about linseed oil and missing shotguns to get her onboard – I’ll need to explain away every bit of evidence.’
‘You think Tilly will be able to do this?’
‘I know I can’t.’
‘I’m sorry, Poe, but things are critical here,’ Flynn said. ‘I need Tilly to monitor the website and do all the other stuff she does. I can’t release her on a half-baked theory. Get me something solid. Is that OK, Tilly?’
Bradshaw didn’t answer. Poe could see why. Over Flynn’s shoulder he could see her throwing laptops and tablets and cables and adaptors into two canvas bags.
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ Flynn muttered.
A few moments later, Bradshaw appeared at Flynn’s shoulder. She was weighed down with all the equipment she was carrying. Poe grabbed one of the bags from her.
‘I’ve left everything up and running, DI Flynn, so you can keepan eye on the vote. Douglas Salt will win though, in line with my projections.’
‘I want an update every hour, Tilly.’
‘Yes, DI Flynn.’
‘And Poe?’
‘Boss?’
‘Please remember Detective Chief Inspector Lee isn’t your enemy. Please don’t turn this into a turf war.’
‘When do I ever?’