‘So I have a theory that maybe the hands symbolise something and the first thing that I thought about was a saying my mum would sometimes use. I went to speak to Theo about it, and he agreed with me that being dealt the hand of God was a saying people would use when someone had been judged, or something happened to them that was a bit like rough justice, or bad karma, I suppose. I think the killer chose the Lawsons, or one of them, for some reason and judged them. The hands are symbolic and probably a huge clue if we can figure outwhatthey’re being judged on.’
‘Theo, as in the vicar we had down as a number one suspect for Shea Wilkinson’s murder?’
Morgan nodded.
‘Jesus this is getting better by the minute. Oh well, that makes it nice and simple then, Morgan. No problem, I’m sure we’ll figure this out in the next hour and be home in time for a mug of cocoa.’
Cain laughed, and Morgan felt her cheeks begin to burn.
It was Ben who answered. ‘Then we’ll focus on Tim for now. The video game is a solid lead; we all know what sick, twisted predators there are lurking on the internet. Morgan, I want you to get on to the tech department, find out as much as you can about the secret game, and can you go back to speak to Theo about the Isaiah angle and get his opinion? Amy, you and Cain can go back to the school, and get a list of friends from his form teacher, then I want you to find out what they know about Tim and if he told them about any games he played. I’ll ask Intel to run some checks on our systems, to see if the name Isaiah comes up as an alias for one of our better-known criminals.’
‘Of course.’
‘Not now, I think for now we need to go home, eat and try to get some sleep, it’s been a long day. Thank you for all your hard work, we’re getting closer.’
Amy and Cain stood up at the same time, and grabbing their jackets they said goodnight, leaving Morgan and Ben to follow them out. Morgan’s ankle was aching, it had been a long day and perhaps she had pushed herself a bit too far. She wanted a long, hot soak in the bath and wished she could do so without forever thinking about how Ben’s wife Cindy had killed herself in Ben’s bath. It didn’t make for much of a relaxing soak and she often ended up having a shower instead. Well whatever she decided it had to be followed by fresh, hot pizza from Gino’s.
TWENTY-FOUR
Amy and Cain, who was dressed in a shirt and navy chinos, arrived at Alfred Barrow Academy before the bell rang to signal lessons were starting. The school had been closed yesterday, Sunday, so they’d progressed what they could from their desks at the station, but now they were here, bright and early, at the start of the week. There was no one to buzz them in to the reception area, so they waited, leaning on the counter for someone to sign them in.
‘Blimey, this makes a change, I normally come here in uniform to give school talks about the dangers of drugs or to bollock some pot-smoking kid for doing it on the school grounds.’
She laughed. ‘Yeah, I remember those days well, and I’ve got to admit I don’t miss them at all. Mind you I’m not that fond of working murder investigations either.’
‘Really? I thought you enjoyed it.’
‘It’s different since Des, things have changed. I mean I like being a detective, but I don’t like the heartache that comes with it sometimes. I honestly don’t know how Morgan copes; I mean look at what she’s been through. It’s enough to send any man or woman to the nearest mental health facility and no one could blame her if she did have a breakdown, but she keeps turning up, day after day, giving it her best.’
He smiled. ‘She’s a tough cookie is Morgan; I think they broke the mould when they made her.’
‘Do you think it’s because of her dad, I mean I’ve been thinking this through a lot since Des.’
‘Stan? I don’t think so, he was a nice bloke but a bit of a drinker. I get the impression he wasn’t given good coping skills, he went to pieces after Morgan’s mum died. So the opposite of Morgan’s ability to keep on trying.’
‘No, not Stan.’
‘Oh, you mean Gary Marks, her piece-of-shit biological dad?’
She nodded.
‘What are you saying, Amy, I’m not sure I understand?’
‘That he was a very determined man, he did what he wanted without a second thought for anyone else. Maybe she gets that determination from him. But if so, she clearly has more of her mother’s genes, thankfully.’
Cain blew out his cheeks. ‘Possibly, hey you better not let Morgan hear you talk about that; she’d be mortified if she thought she was anything like that scumbag.’
‘I wouldn’t, I like her, I’m just thinking out loud. There’s been days since Des died that I just want to give all of this up and go work in a shop.’
‘Nah, you’d have to actually work if you got a job in a shop, they’re always rushed off their feet. You are too lazy for that; you’re used to a slower pace of life.’
Amy glared at him, but he winked, and the corners of her mouth turned upwards ever so slightly.
‘Can I help you?’
Both of them jumped at the loud voice that came from the speaker on the wall next to them.
‘Police, can we speak to you?’
