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‘Can I ask why you didn’t tell any of this to my senior investigating officer?’ Poe said.

She didn’t respond.

‘You tried, didn’t you? And either no one would listen or someone called afterwards and discredited you.’

‘I haven’t spoken to anyone actually. I wanted to, of course. Even raised it with my SAC.’

‘SAC?’

‘Special agent in charge. He forbade me from contacting the British police. Said I’m no longer considered … credible.’

‘So …?’

‘So why did I contact you?’

‘Yes.’

‘My understanding is that you’re a fed, not local police. Sanctimonious prick shoulda been more specific.’

Poe grinned. The ability to misinterpret clear instructions was a much-underrated skill in his opinion.

‘I’m going to have to pass this on to my SIO, though,’ he said. ‘If it helps, I’ll say that I contacted you.’

‘Appreciate that, Sergeant Poe.’

A thought occurred to him.

‘How’d you get hold of my phone number?’

‘Your name’s flagged on one of our databases.’

‘It is?’

‘Actually, it’s your father who’s flagged but, as you’re law enforcement, you are too.’

‘What’s my dad done?’

‘He was recently asking about a diplomatic party his wife attended in the seventies. Upset a few people.’

Poe came over all cold. He hadn’t heard from his dad since the end of the Jared Keaton case. They’d discussed his parentage, how his biological father had raped his mother while she was attending a party in the British Embassy. How he’d raised him as his own because Poe’s mother hadn’t wanted to be around when he started looking like the man who’d raped her. He’d told Poe he’d see what he could find.

Clearly he’d meant it.

‘We about done, Special Agent Lee?’ he said. ‘I need to ring the boss.’

‘I think so,’ she replied. ‘You have my number. Call it any time.’

‘I will,’ Poe promised.

‘And be careful, Sergeant Poe – if I’m right, the Curator’s death for hire.’

Chapter 49

Poe was back at Carleton Hall. He’d just finished telling Nightingale and Flynn about his conversation with Melody Lee and her theory about a problem solver called the Curator. It was clear Nightingale already knew.

‘She’s a kook, Poe,’ she said. ‘Her supervisor called me after she’d asked him for permission to get in touch. Said that, despite being told not to, she’d probably try anyway. Said she’s an anti-authoritarian discipline case.’

‘You should marry her, Poe,’ Flynn said.