Page 114 of The Killer’s Mark

‘But if I’m sentencing someone to death, it’d better be bloody worth it.’

‘What do you need me to do?’

‘I want you to talk to the people you need to talk to. Get a deal in place for Océane. Full immunity for Vincent du Buk’s murder. No jail time at all. She’s a victim and she’ll be treated like one. When I have that in writing, I’ll pass the address to the FBI. You can arrange for her to be picked up.’

‘I’m sure that won’t be a problem.’

‘And because we’re playing with live bullets over here, I’m sending Tilly and Estelle somewhere safe. I can’t risk the Red Chamber getting all proactive and coming for me. If they can’t threaten them, they can’t make me talk.’

‘Everyone talks, Poe.’

‘Not this time.’

Melody Lee went quiet for a few beats. Then she said, ‘Is your mouth writing a cheque your body can’t cash, or are you really that crazy, Poe?’

‘I guess we’ll find out,’ he replied. ‘That said, just in case they do get to me, I’ll write down Océane Blue’s address and keep it safe.’

‘Why not text me it?’

‘Not until Océane gets her deal.’

‘Where then?’

‘Not in my office,’ he said. ‘They know where it is. Not at Highwood or Herdwick Croft either. I don’t have the time.’

‘What about Indica’s studio, Poe?’ Bradshaw said. ‘She likes us. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.’

‘Yes. There’s a tattooist in the same building, Melody. I’ll write down Océane’s address and put it underneath the yucca tree in Indica’s office.’

He could hear Lee making notes. ‘Got it,’ she said.

‘One last thing, Special Agent Lee,’ he said. ‘I need you to enter this conversation on your system.’

‘Will do. Not all of it, obviously, but enough.’

‘No. I need you to put it all on.’

‘But—’

‘All of it, Melody,’ Poe said. ‘And make sure it’s attributed to me. Full name. Esmerée’s too.’

There was a sharp intake of breath. ‘What the hell are you up to, Poe?’

‘What do you think I’m doing?’ he said. ‘I’m baiting a trap.’

Part 4

The Man With the Desert Eagle

Chapter 92

Even on a sunny day, Cowie House was a dark and gloomy building. The cobbled street had been constructed with carts and horses in mind, not HGVs and buses. It wasn’t wide enough to see much sun. And the buildings were tall; the smallest was three storeys. Walking along the street was like walking along the bottom of a high-sided trench. Fisher Street was shadows. It was nooks and crannies.

Fisher Street was secrets.

Perfect for the person tucked into the doorway of the nearby RAOB building. They wore dark clothes. Nothing black. Unless there was no light at all, black stood out just as much as white. This person knew that. They were wearing shades of grey and green. A coat with a deep hood. A navy blue COVID mask. No chance of being identified on CCTV.

Poe was back at Highwood. His genius sidekick too. Probably wondering what to do next. Didn’t matter now. Not when he had messed up the way he had.