Hope to Die

We’ve just had a meeting to review your new evidence, and I agree that there is a prima facie case to answer. The question, of course, is whether a prosecution for attempted murder passes the public interest test, given Rowan has already served fifteen years. However, the judge’s original recommendation was for a minimum of seventeen years, which she clearly has not served, and her release on licence was predicated on the reappearance of the child, which invalidated the original murder charge. Should the public come to learn what Rowan actually did to her baby there is likely to be a considerable backlash, accompanied by calls (informed or otherwise) for her to – at the very least – serve out the rest of her recommended minimum sentence. Taking all these factors into account, we believe there should be a second referral to the CCRC, pending which Rowan should be arrested and returned to custody: she has clearly breached her licence conditions by failing to turn up to the meeting with her probation officer.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions.

Regards,

Nicky

* * *

Adam Fawley

29 October

17.10

The DI from Surrey calls me at five. What he has to say barely qualifies as ‘news’, but it’s just about enough to force me on to my feet to go and update everyone. Just as well, to be honest, because I’ve been sitting at this bloody desk for three hours now and my arse has gone to sleep. And, frankly, the atmosphere in the main office isn’t much livelier. If you graphed the collective mood since we realized Rowan had slipped through our fingers the line would be straight down.

‘OK, everyone,’ I say, raising my voice a little, ‘I’ve just had a call from DI O’Neill at Surrey Police. The team that did the search for Sullivan’s passport also noticed a few cut hairs on the kitchen floor, so it looks like we could be right that Rowan’s altered her appearance to look more like Sullivan.’ I look round the room. ‘I’m assuming there’s still no trace of either Rowan or the Nova?’

Baxter shakes his head. ‘Nothing on ANPR, so she’s probably avoiding motorways. Doesn’t help that we have no idea where she could be going.’

‘Channel Tunnel has to be the most likely, surely?’ says Carter.

‘Also the most obvious,’ replies Gis. ‘And if we’ve learned one thing about this woman it’s not to underestimate her.’

There’s a silence, then Ev sits back in her chair. ‘I think we missed her, boss. I think somehow or other she got out of the country.’

I shrug. ‘Perhaps. But maybe they anticipated this happening and planned for it – they’d have had long enough, after all, and unlike Rowan, Sullivan’s been on the outside and free to do whatever she likes. Maybe she’s fixed it for Rowan to go to ground – hole up somewhere until it all dies down.’

Quinn scowls. ‘And meanwhile she gets a new ID, a new car –’

‘I know. But all that costs money. We’ll have to hope Surrey find something in Sullivan’s financials.’

‘Well, they’ve not found diddly yet,’ says Baxter.

‘No, they haven’t. But she may have other accounts we know nothing about.’

‘Actually,’ begins Chloe Sargent, ‘I was thinking about that –’

She stops. Everyone is looking at her.

‘Go on,’ says Hansen.

‘If Sullivan’s been looking after her mum – doing her washing and that – isn’t it possible she manages her money as well? She could even have power of attorney – I mean, when my gran –’

‘You could be right. Let’s see what we can find in the mother’s accounts. And make sure Surrey are in the loop – we don’t want to piss them off, not if we don’t have to.’ She’s nodding and flushing and making a note all at once. ‘And well done, Sargent. Good for you.’

On my way out I turn at the door; Gis is making a big thing of clapping Sargent on the back in front of everyone. Good for him.

* * *

Transcript out-of-hours 101 call

Essex Police

29.10.2018 18:52:08

Operator: Essex Police, can I help you?

Caller: There’s a car on fire.

Operator: Is anyone in danger?

Caller: No, it’s on waste ground – abandoned. I can’t see anyone there. But it’s the third time this month and our councillor told us to report it.

Operator: And where are you?

Caller: Bromness, just off the main road.

Operator: And it’s waste ground, you say?

Caller: Kids go there to joyride. Place is a bloody eyesore.

Operator: I’ll get someone to attend. Please don’t put yourself in any danger, or confront anyone –

Caller: Confront who? Those tykes’ll be long gone by now.

Operator: If you can hold on I’ll get you a reference number for the incident for your records.

* * *

Adam Fawley

29 October

19.40

‘Did you get the email?’ I’m on the phone to DI O’Neill, practising what I preach. ‘It’s the mother’s bank statement.’

‘I’m just opening it now.’