The Puppet Show (Washington Poe)

‘Same as the van. Burnt to cinders,’ she replied. ‘I don’t know what it was but it must have been a big deal because when CSI found it, the chief constable took it away personally.’

‘And?’

‘The official line is that nothing inside survived. All burnt to cinders. We asked to see it but were politely told it was a Cumbrian matter now.’

He put his head in his hands and rocked backwards and forwards. Before long he was sobbing uncontrollably.

Flynn called for the nurse. A doctor came instead. He adjusted one of the drips and soon Poe’s crying subsided and he fell asleep.

‘He was a killer but he had his reasons, Steph,’ Poe said. It was three hours later and he’d woken thirsty and ravenous.

‘What was in the box, Poe?’ she asked. ‘What is it that has everyone so worried?’

For the next thirty minutes Poe replayed the conversation he’d had with Reid at the farm. He omitted the discussion about his mother and the origins of his name.

Flynn asked a few questions and made a quick call when he told her about George Reid’s grave – otherwise, she let him tell his story.

‘I want to make a statement,’ he said when he’d finished. ‘I know it’ll only end up as hearsay but I owe it to Kylian to air his side of the story.’

‘There are a lot of people and organisations who could be embarrassed if that happened, Poe. And with no witnesses, little corroborating evidence and all the key players dead, the CPS have already said there will be no charges. There is no one to charge.’

‘What about Montague Price’s confession?’

‘Already suppressed.’

‘How?’

‘Technically it was only information he was offering towards a deal, and because Reid abducted him before he could be charged, the family solicitor said they’d sue if all records weren’t destroyed. Cumbria handed over Price’s statement and the video interview this morning. We’ve been told to destroy our copy of it.’

‘And the bodies of his friends?’

‘All down to Reid. The working theory – or at least one that fits the bullshit they’re spinning – is that he killed them when they were children and he’s been reliving the thrill of it all with these new murders.’

‘Bastards,’ Poe whispered.

‘It does have the bouquet of a cover-up,’ she admitted. ‘I’ve been digging around and some of the people who took advantage of Carmichael’s hospitality are . . . men of influence, shall we say? And if Carmichael had opened a bank account for one specific event, who’s to say he hadn’t done it before? Nobody wants to look under that stone.’

‘Perhaps someone should,’ Poe said.

‘While you were out, the Secretary of State for Justice made a statement thanking Cumbria Police, and the chief constable in particular, for their hard work and professionalism “during this trying time”. Said that the Immolation Man was a police officer with mental health issues and his prayers were with the victim’s families. He singled out Quentin Carmichael, said he was a shining example of the type of selflessness that makes this country great and all that bollocks.’

Poe was staring at her aghast. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

‘There’s literally nothing we can do. Even if you were prepared to go on record and repeat what Reid told you, nothing would happen. I’ve been told to tell you that if you say anything other than the official line, you’ll be sacked. And as well as losing your job and pension, some of the most powerful and well-connected families in the country will come after you. They’ll sue you for everything you own.’

She was right. With no evidence he’d be pissing in the wind. Without the confessions, Poe’s evidence was worthless. He had half the story but it was the wrong half.

‘We know the truth, Poe,’ she added. ‘That means something.’

‘He deserves better, Steph.’

‘He does, but he won’t get it.’

Even if Poe were reckless enough to try and get an interview with a tabloid, he knew that the people suppressing the story were the same people who controlled the media. It would never be printed.

He would think about it later but he’d decided he wanted no part of the NCA any more. He would leave and spend some time digging around. See if there was some concrete evidence to be found. He owed his friend that much. He also needed some time away to think about what he should do about his mother. He’d need to spe

ak to his father first, and tracking him down would be a job in itself.