Page 85 of The Killer’s Mark

Gilliard glared at Gotobed. ‘Well we can’t leave his computer here. Not now it’s been uploaded with half the NCA’s database.’ He shook his head. ‘This is a bloody nightmare.’

‘Why don’t you get the search warrant amended?’ Poe said.

‘Thank you, Poe,’ Gilliard barked. ‘I do actually know how to do my job.’

‘Doesn’t look like it, bro,’ Esmerée said.

Gilliard removed his phone from his jacket pocket and scrolled through his contacts. ‘Maggie, can you retype that warrant? And please make sure “seize” is spelled correctly this time … Yes, I know it’s my responsibility to check … I don’t think I did raise my voice … OK, I’m sorry for being condescending. But can you do this, please? As quick as you can. The usual magistrate. If you email it over when it’s done … Thank you, Maggie.’

‘How long?’ Poe said. ‘Because it’s been a bit of a day and I want to go home.’

‘You’re going nowhere, Poe.’

‘Unless I’m under arrest, you can’t stop me.’

Gilliard smiled. Not a nice smile. ‘In that case, Washington Poe, I’m arresting you for perverting the course of justice. You do not have to say anything …’

Chapter 70

Gotobed jabbed a finger in Poe’s direction. ‘Not so mouthy now, are you?’ he said. ‘And don’t worry, we’ll get into your computer when we’re back at the lab.’

‘That’s enough, Andrew,’ Gilliard said. He looked unnerved. And he looked unnerved because Poe didn’t. Poe was grinning like the Joker. ‘Do you understand your rights, Mr Poe?’

‘I do.’

‘Do you want to add anything?’

‘Yes. If Go to Bed Early points his finger at me again, I’m biting it off.’

‘Anything helpful?’

‘Oh, in that case, no.’ Poe paused for a beat. ‘Aren’t you going to arrest Tilly? I think it would be fun if you did.’

‘If she attempts to leave this room with any electronic equipment, yes, I will arrest her.’

Poe said, ‘Tilly, do you have your phone in your pocket?’

‘I do, Poe.’

‘Please step out of the room.’

She did, and was arrested.

She took a seat next to Poe. They fist-bumped.

‘I want to be arrested!’ Esmerée yelled excitedly. She got up to leave. No one tried to stop her. She sat back down. ‘Assholes,’ she muttered.

‘OK,’ Gilliard said. ‘What’s going on? What do you know that I don’t?’

Poe sighed. It had been fun, but it was time to move things along.

‘I think your first mistake, Detective Chief Inspector Gilliard, was that you’ve been labouring under the misapprehension that your raid was unexpected. It wasn’t.’

Gotobed snorted. ‘Don’t be absurd.’

Gilliard stared at Poe. Held his eye, calculating.

‘He’s bluffing, sir,’ Gotobed added.