she wouldn't've said no to the idea of someone chopping off his bollocks when they got to the endgame, her and Santo. What d'they say about a woman's scorn?"
-‗A woman scorned,'" Lynley murmured.
-Right. Well. I'd say we give her a closer look. She'd've likely had access to his climbing kit at some point. Or she'd've known where he kept it."
-She's on our list," Hannaford said. -Is that it, then?"
-I've got e-mails from someone calling himself Freeganman as well, and I'd say that's Mendick
'cause I doubt the town's crawling with people of his ilk."
Hannaford explained the moniker to Lynley: how they'd come to know it and with whom it was associated. She said to the constable, -And what's Mr. Mendick got to say for himself?"
-‗Can we keep it between us?' Not exactly illuminating, I'll give you that, but still..."
-A reason to talk to him, then. Let's put Blue Star Grocery on the schedule."
-Right." McNulty went back to the computer.
Hannaford strode over to a desk where she dug in a heavy-looking shoulder bag. She brought forth a mobile phone. This she tossed to Lynley. She said, -Reception's the devil round here, I've found, but I want you carrying this and I want it turned on."
-Your reason?" Lynley asked.
-I need a stated reason, do I, Superintendent?"
-If nothing else, because I outrank you" would have been his answer in other circumstances, but not in these. He said, -I'm curious. It suggests my usefulness to you hasn't come to an end."
-That would be correct. I'm undermanned and I want you available to me."
-I'm not - "
-Bollocks. Once a cop, always a cop. There's a need here, and you and I know you're not about to walk away from a situation where your help is required. Beyond that, you're a principal figure and you're not going anywhere without me coming after you until you have my blessing to leave, so you may as well make yourself useful to me."
-You've something in mind?"
-Dr. Trahair. Details. Everything. From her shoe size to her blood type and all points in between."
-How am I supposed to - "
-Oh please, Detective. Don't take me for a fool. You've sources and you've charm. Use them both. Dig into her background. Take her on a picnic. Wine her. Dine her. Read her poetry. Caress her palm. Gain her trust. I don't bloody care how you do it. Just do it. And when you've done it, I want it all. Are we clear on that?"
Sergeant Collins had appeared in the doorway as Hannaford was speaking. He said, -Guv?
Someone to see you. Queer bird called Tammy Penrule down below. Says she's got information for you."
The DI said to Lynley, -Keep that phone charged. Take your spade and use it. Do whatever you have to do."
-I'm not comfortable with - "
-That's not my concern. Murder's not comfortable either."
Chapter Thirteen
DOWNSTAIRS, BEA FOUND THE NAMED TAMMY PENRULE SITTING in one of the plastic reception chairs, her feet flat on the floor, her hands clasped in her lap, her back a plane perpendicular to the seat. She was dressed in black, but she wasn't a Goth, as Bea first suspected when she caught sight of her. She wore no makeup, no hideous black nail enamel, and she had no silver protrusions erupting from various points on her head. She also wore no jewellery, and nothing else relieved the midnight of her clothes. She looked like mourning made flesh.
-Tammy Penrule?" Bea said to her, unnecessarily.
The girl jumped to her feet. She was thin as workhouse gruel. One couldn't look at her without considering eating disorders.
-You've got information for me?" When the girl nodded, Bea said, -Come with me, then,"
before she realised she had not yet located the interview rooms at the station. Stumbling about wasn't going to inspire confidence in anyone, so she reversed herself, said, -Hang on a moment,"
and found a cubbyhole next to a broom closet that would do until further exploration of the station might provide its secret as to the site of interrogations.
When she had Tammy Penrule situated in this spot, she said to her, -What've you got to tell me?"
Tammy licked her lips. She needed balm for them. They were badly chapped and a thin line of scabbing marked a spot where her lower lip had cracked seriously enough to bleed. -It's about Santo Kerne," she said.
-I've got that much." Bea crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Unconsciously, it seemed, Tammy did the same, although she had no breasts to speak of, and Bea