‘Was the flower petal relevant?’
Flynn said nothing.
‘Let me guess, you don’t know,’ he said.
‘We’ve only just been given this, Poe,’ she said. ‘Local police were in charge up until a few hours ago.’
‘What’s changed?’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Yes, you do. Why are we involved? Women must have been queuing up to murder that gormless twit. Something must have changed for Director Van Zyl to order our involvement. What is it?’
‘I need you briefed on Kane Hunt first.’
‘Fine,’ Poe said. ‘Do you have a copy of the poem?’
She handed him a sheet of A4 paper from her file.
Poe read it out loud, ‘Under the hanged man’s hood …’
‘Not exactly Keats, is it?’ Flynn said when he’d finished.
‘Has the language been analysed?’
‘That’s what Tilly’s doing now,’ Flynn said. ‘She’s having the flower petal identified as well. I’m expecting her back any time.’
‘You tried opening a bag of salty snacks? That usually brings her running.’
‘Oh ha-de-ha-ha, Poe,’ a voice said from behind him. ‘And I’m only looking after your heart.’
He turned. Bradshaw had arrived.