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So why had he led him here at all . . .?

Unless . . . unless he hadn’t been meant to get access to the coffin so quickly. Going through van Zyl instead of the usual bureaucratic channels meant he’d got the exhumation order in hours rather than weeks. His insubordination with Flynn might have bought them an advantage they weren’t supposed to have.

And that meant he had a potential bridge to the truth; all he had to do was find a way of crossing it.

An hour later, the Cumbrian team descended on the cemetery. Gamble and Reid arrived first, all suited and booted. Forensics and CSI were close behind. It wasn’t long before the combined ensemble of a murder investigation had ruined K-section’s tranquillity.

A forensic tent soon covered the grave. An inner cordon had been set around some gravestones and an outer one around K-section.

When Gamble realised what had happened he turned red-faced with fury. Flynn stood up to him. She showed him the exhumation order. It didn’t improve his mood. He snatched it off her and marched up to Poe. ‘What the hell is this?’

Poe glanced at the top sheet. It was signed by the Ministry of Justice Coroner and by the head of the Cemeteries Office in South Lakeland District Council. The reason for exhumation was listed as ‘Urgent examination of contents of coffin’. More information was given but the gist was that the NCA had reason to believe that evidence vital to the apprehension of a serial murderer was contained within the coffin. It was signed ‘Edward van Zyl, Director of Intelligence’.

‘It’s an exhumation order, sir.’

‘I know what it fucking is, Poe!’ he snarled. ‘Why’s DI Flynn’s name not on this? Why is your name listed under “applicant”?’

Flynn walked over.

‘Perhaps I can explain, sir,’ she said. ‘As I said earlier, Ian, the postcard Poe received yesterday led us to believe there was evidence in this grave vital to your investigation. I tried to ring but couldn’t get a signal. I knew you’d want us to get on it as soon as possible, so I went through my own director to get expedited permission. Thankfully he was able to leap a few hurdles and buy us some extra days.’

Gamble knew she was lying, but he also knew he’d been outflanked. ‘You bloody people . . .’ After standing his ground for a moment, he said, ‘I want a full report uploaded to HOLMES by midday, Detective Inspector Flynn.’ He turned to Poe and said, ‘And I want him off my investigation!’

When he was out of earshot, Flynn turned to him. ‘I’m sorry, Poe.’

‘What?’ he exclaimed. ‘He doesn’t have the authority—’

‘Director’s orders. I’ve just spoken to van Zyl. You went behind my back and you went behind Gamble’s back. He can’t afford a fight with Cumbria and politically he can’t insist they host you any more.’

His phone rang. It was Director van Zyl.

If Poe thought he was in for a phoney bollocking over the chain of command he was wrong. ‘I spoke to HR yesterday, Sergeant Poe,’ van Zyl said without preamble. ‘It seems that because you hadn’t contacted anyone during your suspension – and more importantly, no one contacted you – you have accrued over twelve months’ worth of leave. Now we can pay you for it if you like, but if you were to verbally request some now, I’d look upon it favourably. I’m sure Detective Inspector Flynn would too.’

Poe could only manage, ‘Er . . . what?’

‘Do you want to take some leave,’ van Zyl said, speaking slowly. ‘It’s either that or you’re back in Hampshire today.’

‘Er . . . yes then?’

‘Good. That’s settled then. With immediate effect you’re on a month’s leave.’

‘Why, sir?’ Poe asked.

But he was gone.

Poe stared at the phone in his hand. Flynn wandered up. Gamble was in tow.

‘Why’s he still here?’ Gamble barked.

‘Sergeant Poe has been reassigned, sir,’ Flynn said. ‘But I understand he’s taking some leave first. Is that right, Poe?’

He nodded. Gamble grunted in satisfaction before stomping off. Flynn and the director had figured a workaround that allowed Gamble to save

face but kept Poe in Cumbria. They wanted him working the case, but from now on it would be unofficial.

Just as he preferred.

He knew what he had to do. Scrolling through his phone’s contact list, he went to his newest entry and pressed call. Considering it was still very early it was answered immediately. The voice at the other end didn’t sound in the least bit sleepy.