Chapter 34
Beforethey took Stahl to their hotel, Flynn said she would nip into Primark and get shirts, trousers, underwear and socks. She asked Poe to get him toiletries and a new pair of shoes. Poe was about to complain but he could see Flynn wasn’t in the mood.
‘Fine,’ he said. He spotted a Clarks on the street corner. Remembered his dad used to take him to a local store each year before the new school term started. ‘We’ll go in there.’
‘See you in thirty minutes,’ Flynn said.
‘You’d better wait outside,’ Poe said to Stahl at the shop’s entrance. ‘What size are you?’
‘Ten. Should I not try some on?’
‘You smell like a goat, mate. Try on shoes in there and they’ll have to burn them afterwards. No, you stay outside and I’ll get you something comfortable. And you’re not putting them on until you’ve had a bath.’
Poe approached the nearest assistant. He flashed his ID card and said, ‘I need to keep that man in my sight at all times. Would you be able to get me a pair of size ten shoes? Bring them straight to the till?’
‘What are you looking for?’
‘Something like mine – cheap, sturdy and comfortable. Maybe a pair of trainers as well?’
‘And you have no colour or style preference? We have a nice Italian loafer that’s proving popular.’
‘Look at him. What do you think?’
She did. ‘I’ll be right back,’ she said.
‘Thank you.’
During the time it took the assistant to find something suitable,out on the pavement three people tried to give Stahl some money and one of them bought him a sandwich.
Poe, Flynn and Bradshaw met in the small meeting room that SCAS’s office manager had arranged to be at their disposal.
‘Where’s Stahl?’ Flynn asked.
‘Where do you think?’ Poe said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. ‘He’s in the bar, drinking like a pirate.’
‘You let him?’
‘If he doesn’t drink he can’t function.’
‘Jesus,’ she muttered.
‘Have you told Chief Superintendent Mathers we have him?’ Poe asked.
‘I have. I haven’t told her we’re getting him pissed though.’
‘And?’
‘I think she’s happy we’re shouldering some of the responsibility.’
‘Does she think he’s a potential victim, DI Flynn?’ Bradshaw said. ‘Because he doesn’t fit either the Botanist’s previous target group or his methodology.’
‘Poe?’
‘I don’t think he’s a victim, boss. He has nowhere near the visibility of the other two and he says he hasn’t received a poem or a pressed flower. And if the Botanist wanted him dead, all he’d have to do is wait a few weeks.’
‘Is he dying, Poe?’ Bradshaw asked. ‘Gosh, that’s so sad.’
‘Suicide by bottle.’