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She sighed. “Teddy Roe was desperate to find Jerry. He saw looking for his friend as something deeply worthwhile to do, and he felt let down by the police because no one would take his missing report seriously.”

James laid his head down and pulled her closer to his side. “So many men like Jerry disappear all the time, and they’ve just moved on to another part of town. I know, I know,” he said when she started to lift her head. “Jerry’s situation was different.”

“It was. Context should be part of the evaluation,” she said.

“I agree. I’ll speak to PS Yates about it.”

Gabriella snuggled closer. “I’m pretty sure Ruby’s going to do that. And she’s going to talk to the press. She’s angry, James. Teddy Roe wasn’t the only one trying to get the police to take Jerry’s disappearance seriously. She also got the brush-off and now we know he was being held in Holland Park this whole time, she’s on the warpath.”

She sensed James wince. “Ruby will definitely make an impression.”

Gabriella gave a low chuckle. “At the very least. And what about you? Is everything tied up now?”

“No. Jackman’s still out there, but hopefully not for too long.”

She had completely forgotten about Jackman. “He looked more wily than Robby and Pete. More dangerous.” She remembered the way he’d pulled the knife out. “He’s armed with a knife. Ruby and I put it in our statements.”

“No one mentioned it.” He turned his head to look at her. “He pulled a knife on you?”

“Not on us.” She thought back to it. “He heard the sirens, and looked toward the door, and pulled it out, like he was going to attack any police officer that came in.”

“But then he ran?”

“The siren sounds increased, and it was clear there was more than just one car on the way. I think he realized retreat was the better option and he took off for the back door. And he seemed to know exactly where it was so he must have been to the house before.” In fact, he’d walked in as if he was a regular visitor.

“We’ll get him.” James sounded very sure. “The ports and airports are watching for him, and with any luck we can get Robby and Pete to sing.”

“Sounds like you have a full day tomorrow,” she said around a yawn.

“Yes.” His voice was a deep rumble in her ear. “And yet.” He ran a hand down her side and gripped her hip. “I don’t really seem to care.”

chapter

thirty-seven

James drove to New Scotland Yard from his flat, now bathed and changed, and wondered how he could persuade Gabriella to stay over at his place.

He’d tried to invite her before, but she’d been reluctant, and he understood the reasons.

Still.

And then he shrugged.

Actually, it didn’t matter.

As long as she was with him, wherever they were, he would be happy.

He was in deep, and he reveled in the feeling.

He still couldn’t quite believe how he’d found someone like her.

He parked around the back of the building, and ran in to the superintendent getting out of a dark blue Rolls Royce.

He’d taken the ownership of that Rolls Royce as an indication that Detective Superintendent Halberd might be on the take, and he still wasn’t completely sure about him, but so far, he seemed to have played straight with James.

“Good morning, sir.” James stood back to let Halberd go first through the back entrance.

“Archer. Well done on the job yesterday. Turned out my aunt was right on the money, eh?” Halberd held the door for him.