Page 167 of Slack Tide Kill

"That's not it." Her jaw slowly dropped as she recognized the look in Rook's eyes. "That's not a man looking for a lifeline. That's a man terrified for his life."

"What? How can you possibly–"

Sally shoved her chair back with a scrape and sped from the room. The corridor seemed to leer and tilt as she pushed into Observation Room 1.

Empty. Just the large one-way glass, beyond which sat Roarke Rook, his lawyer and Liam, all looking back at her.

Her pulse only accelerated. She approached the glass and thumped on it once, causing Rook to pull hard away.

No. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible.

Back in the corridor she swiveled, looking both ways. The bullpen churned and frothed as normal. The exit to the rear lot was closed. What had she missed?

She ran back to the desk where her team were working. DI Gemmell looked up at her with curious eyes. "You said DCI Mayhew was in with Roarke Rook before me. Is that right?"

"In with Rook? That's correct. Why?"

"And was there anybody else?"

"Ah. I don't think so." He turned to Simms. "Sergeant, you were watching him."

Simms nodded. "That's right. I transferred him in there, watched while he waited for his solicitor."

"And nobody else approached? Nobody spoke to him?"

"No." His eyes narrowed. "Well, there was one stretch where I was talking to the DCI. Only a few minutes, back over here. But the door was locked. He was going nowhere, and I'm pretty sure no one was in or out."

Pretty sure.

"Find out," Sally hissed, lowering her voice, suddenly aware her frantic energy would be a flag to anyone watching. "Quietly. Did anyone see someone go in with him. OK?"

Some of her urgency seemed to be leaking into them. "Yes, ma'am," Gemmell said.

"Thank you."

She stalked back toward the interview room. Liam met her at the door. "What's going on, Sally?"

"I think we're compromised," she said quietly. "Someone's intimidated Rook."

"Someone here? You mean police?"

Sally stepped back inside.

"Banging on the observation glass is a disallowed practice, Officer Rogers," Carrack said sternly. "It constitutes unlawful intimidation, and I will not–"

"He's here, isn't he?" Sally demanded. "Roarke, your brother's here. He came in with you, he threatened you. Who is it?"

Rook's head was down in his hands now, shaking slowly side to side.

"Who did he threaten? It couldn't just have been you. Your other brothers?"

"No comment," Rook moaned.

"This is over," Carrack said. He stood and took Rook's elbow. "Roarke, we're leaving. I've never seen–"

"Did he say he was going to take their eyes, Roarke?" she slammed the table again. "Their ears? What's his name, Roarke? We can protect all of you!"

Rook shuddered then looked up. Carrack started to protest, but nobody was listening anymore, least of all Rook. His eyes were now locked onto Sally, bright with desperation.