The Puppet Show (Washington Poe)

‘Get what you want, Tilly. My treat.’

She nodded happily and placed her order. Like birds flitting from branch to branch, her eyes were everywhere, taking in all the new experiences. Her mother had told Poe she’d led a sheltered life before joining SCAS, but he had no idea just how sheltered. As they waited for their food and drinks Bradshaw asked what he thought about the morning’s search.

‘It’s a fool’s errand,’ Poe said. He was beginning to doubt the course of action they were on. It had felt like a wasted morning.

‘It’s not, Poe,’ she said. ‘It’s just going to take time. If it’s out there, I’ll find it.’ And with that she begged the wi-fi password from the barista and took out her tablet. Within seconds she was immersed in something. Poe knew he wouldn’t get another word from her until the food arrived.

The barista came over with the drinks and placed a small triple egg timer on the table. The sand on Poe’s right was for a strong brew and he watched as it slowly ran down. It was therapeutic and he could feel his mind unwinding. He’d have to get one. When it ran out, he poured his coffee.

The sandwiches arrived ten minutes later. Bradshaw photographed her food and texted the picture to her mum. ‘She likes to know what I’m doing,’ she explained.

Poe, who was getting used to her eccentricities, kept his own counsel. She arranged her napkin to her liking then took a bite from her sandwich. ‘This is nice isn’t it, Poe? I usually eat lunch on my own.’

When they’d finished they ordered more hot drinks.

One of the things he liked about Coffee Genius was that the staff were always happy to stop and chat. While Bradshaw worked, Poe and the barista talked about the benefits of buying your own beans and grinding them at home.

‘What do you do?’ the barista asked.

Poe told him but left the details a bit fuzzy. ‘We’re searching for the owner of an old watch today.’

The barista sat down, and without mentioning the murder angle, Poe explained.

‘All a bit needle-in-a-haystack, isn’t it?’ the barista said.

‘Tell me about it.’

The barista laughed.

‘And that’s not even including the shops that don’t exist any more. Got no way of searching for them online.’

The barista huddled up to him. ‘There’s a man and his wife come in here a couple of times a week. He’s retired now but I’m sure he used to work in the jewellery business. And the reason I know is that I’ve just got engaged and he advised me on which jewellers wouldn’t rip me off.’

‘You got a name?’

‘Charles. His wife’s called Jackie, I think.’ He looked over his shoulder. ‘The boss is in, she might know. I’ll go and ask her.’

Two minutes later he returned with a bit of paper. ‘Charles Nolan. The boss says they come in most Saturdays and Wednesdays. Thinks they do their shopping in Marks and Spencer. If you leave your name and number, I can pass him a message if you want.’

Poe declined. He didn’t have the time to wait. He excused himself and walked outside to make a call.

Kylian Reid answered immediately.

‘Oi, oi! It’s Burke and Hare!’ Reid said without preamble.

‘Ha-fucking-ha,’ Poe replied. ‘I kept you out of it, didn’t I? And I saw Gamble preening about on TV this morning. He knows I did him a favour.’

‘Like that matters. He’s still fucking furious.’

‘I need another favour,’ Poe said.

‘OK . . .’ Reid said. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be on leave?’ He was wary. If Gamble had found out Reid had passed him the information for the exhumation order, it could have meant his job.

‘I am. It’s just something I’m following up on. Nothing that’ll raise any eyebrows.’

‘Going to need more than that, mate.’

Poe was reluctant to tell him. Reid was his friend but he was also a bloody good cop. If he thought the investigation team were better equipped, he’d have no qualms about pulling the plug on him.