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the app company to get back to us with the profile information for both women. The problem is, it’s a US company and as you know they’re not obliged to comply with our laws, but most do to keep on side. If the app was created by a UK company we’d have the information by now. Our country, our laws. Going by the communication we’ve had with this company, I think they’re getting the information together, but they’re not particularly pulling their finger out.’ Krish let out a sigh in irritation at the foreign app designer company.

‘Keep on at them. Chase them up today.’

Krish made a note in his pad.

‘You’ve all got work to be getting on with. Let’s move this investigation forward please. The city is scared. You know they’re saying we have a serial killer in the city. I don’t want this to be the case for long. I want him found and I want him in our cells. Have I made myself clear?’

There were murmurings of ‘yes, boss’ around the room.

‘We will not have a serial killer and all the press trappings and fear that brings with it,’ he said. ‘This is Sheffield not New York.’ And with that he stalked out of the room.

‘What’s with the boss?’ Paul asked.

‘I presume he’s getting a lot of pressure from Connelly,’ Dominic answered. ‘It’s a high-profile case. Even Connelly will be getting pressure from higher up. The chief is watching this one. And it doesn’t stop with him. He’ll be getting grief from the Police and Crime Commissioner. It won’t be good for his figures and he’s voted into office. Policing is a political game nowadays.’

Krish shrugged. ‘I don’t know about that. I come in and do my job and leave again. I’m only interested in catching the bad guys. I’ll leave all that to those who get paid a hell of a lot more than me.’

‘Best way to be,’ said Paul.

Hayley stood. ‘I’ll go talk to the intel unit. Let them know we need the pressure putting on for the US app developer.’ She pushed her way out of the incident-room doors and Dawn from the front counter nearly walked into her. They exchanged apologies and Hayley let her through and then walked to the kitchen.

Dawn handed out the mail and escaped back to the front counter as fast as she could. As far as Dominic was aware, she’d left George alone, manning the front counter, and he wasn’t always the most amenable person. He’d heard that George had problems at home these days and his mood seemed to be worse than usual for it.

Dominic picked up the four pieces of mail and opened the first one. Distracted, half-listening to a conversation between Rhys and Paul about the footie on the TV the night before. He hadn’t managed to see it himself. Ruth had wanted to sit and talk. She’d told him he was too tightly wound lately and needed to relax. This had only served to wind him up and resulted in them screaming at each other. Or rather he’d yelled at her in utter frustration and then stormed off into the garage to fiddle, in the pretext he was tidying up. He didn’t need telling how to behave, he was a grown man, leading a small team in a vital part of a serious investigation. Of course he was going to be wound a little tightly. But trying to control him wasn’t going to work. He’d left home this morning without saying a word to her and now he was getting a running commentary from the lads on how the game had played out.

His attention was soon drawn back to work when he saw the familiar start to the typed letter in his hand.

DS Harrison,

 

How does it feel to be lagging so far behind at this stage in an investigation? I’m not usually one to gloat but you make it far too easy. I can’t say I’m always happy with the words you use about me in the press. Please remember who you’re talking about. Words have meaning and I’d hate if your words did more harm than good.

 

I trust that we all believe in who is talking in this conversation and I no longer have to prove myself.

 

Tread carefully please.

 

Again he dropped the letter onto his desk and picked up his phone and called the CSU. He had presumed the first communication was a one off. To say hello, hi, I’ve done this.

‘What is it, Dom?’ Paul had spotted him.

‘Another letter,’ he admitted.

‘From the killer?’

‘Yeah.’

Paul, Rhys and Krish walked over to his desk and peered over at the single white sheet of paper. Hayley walked over from the printer in the corner of the room.

‘What’ve I missed?’

‘Dom received another letter,’ said Krish.

Hayley put down the pile of hot paper. ‘Another one?’

They all stared at it and read the contents. ‘Is he threatening you?’ she asked, eyes wide.

‘I’m not sure,’ Dominic answered. ‘I think he’s gloating but it’s turned into a bit of a warning. Seems he doesn’t approve of his press.’

‘Shouldn’t be a crazed wacko killer then, should he?’ said Rhys.

Paul snorted.

‘You’re not supposed to use words like wacko,’ said Hayley.

‘What word would you use for him?’ Rhys asked.

Hayley shrugged. ‘Just don’t let the boss hear you.’

‘Talking of the boss, I’m going to have to let him know.’ Dominic pulled his mobile phone out of his pocket and took a photograph of the letter, then rose from his chair.

‘Anything you want us to do?’ asked Hayley.

‘Keep an eye on that.’ He pointed to the sheet. ‘And direct the CSI to it when they arrive.’ He strode out of the room and headed for Kapoor’s office.

The door was closed. Dominic knocked and waited to hear