If you have one shred of proof, then take it to the Commissioner. But if you do, then God help you, because I am going to have to do something that I have really, really tried not to do.'

What?'

I do not think you are a suitable officer to be attached to the Murder Squad. You have fouled up too many times. I will also have to bring into the equation the fact that I foolishly had a sexual relationship with you. It was a big mistake on my part, and one I really regret, because ending it has obviously turned you against me.'

You can't get away with it like that!' she said angrily.

He drew her close, still gripping her wrists tightly. I got away with nothing. I have a crippled knee joint and constant problems with my lungs and my chest. I have got away with nothing but a life of excruciating pain and medication. If Eugene Camorra was the man who did this to me, I would have brought charges. Now, you had better make up your mind, Anna.' He released his hold. If you want to press these farcical charges against me, go ahead, but you will need proofand you don't have it. But don't let that stop you. Go ahead, and take the repercussions.'

Which would be what?'

He gave a soft laugh and then made a move with his hand, as if directing traffic, a smile on his lips; his gesture infuriated her.

Do you think that this has been easy for me?' she cried. I've had sleepless nights! But you can't take the law into your own hands!'

She stepped back, almost afraid he was going to slap her, as he glared at her. I never have. Your furtive imagination has put two and two together and come up with a load of shite! Even hinting at your suspicions makes me unable to ever trust you again.'

Anna could feel the tears pricking at her eyes.

One day, in the mound of illegal immigrants we are still attempting to trace, we'll find the man who almost killed me. When I do, and I intend to not let this rest, then you'll know about it. I did not, as you believe, find from God knows where this stuff to poison Camorra; in fact, by his dying, we lost valuable evidence we could have charged Orso with. I didn't want the bastard dead.'

Anna was shaking. She recoiled when he put his arm out and drew her back closer to him.

Anna, I cared about you, but don't make me out to be the villainyou know we'd never have worked. I doubt if I'll ever be able to maintain a stable relationship but, without your care, I don't think I would have pulled through, and for that I will always be eternally grateful. Don't play these accusations out: the only person that will be hurt will be you. Do you understand what I am saying?' Langton gently brushed a curl from her forehead. It's over. Come on now, say it.'

She heard her voice whispering that it was over, like a chastised child. She looked up into his face. She had loved him so much; even now, she felt her heart beating faster, being so close to him.

Forget it; that's what this is all about, sweetheart. Just forget itI will. The case, thank Christ, is over. Anna?'

She broke away from him and forced herself to smile.

Goodbye, Anna. You take care of yourself now.'

She nodded and turned her back on him, grateful he wouldn't see that she was crying.

Langton remained leaning against the tree. He watched her drive past but did not acknowledge her; instead, he turned back to the river, staring into the murky water.

He would begin working on tests for his promotion. He knew his physical problems would always be with him, and the rise in rank would mean a less hands-on role. He had also suggested that Mike Lewis be upped in rank; he deserved it but, like himself, Mike would have to sit the obligatory paperwork. He then turned from the riverbank and started to walk down the lane, calling for a taxi on his mobile phone. He could still not walk too far without the pain in his knee joint. The pain, he had told Anna, that would forever be a memory of the attack.

He smiled: revenge is always sweet, even when taken cold.

Anna received a call from Idris Krasiniqe's solicitor. They were still preparing for the retrial. They asked if she would be willing to assist with some of the documents that she had worked on. Anna agreed to drive to Wakefield prison to meet Idris and his solicitor.

She was shown into the interview room. Idris was being brought up from the cells, so she had a few moments alone with his solicitor, a Toby Freeman: a very pleasant and eager young man.

It is not going to be easy,' Toby told her. We would have been looking at a reduced sentence, but now without his brother, without Rashid Burry and with no Eugene Camorra, I have to admit we are not in a very strong position. I try to keep his hopes up, but with two trials dismissed, the CPS require a lot more evidence.'

Idris looked fit; he'd put on weight and he seemed pleased to see Anna. He gripped her hand tightly, thanking her. It was a slow process; they went over all the statements Idris had made. When asked why he had not given details of the other two men involved in Carly Ann's murder when he had the opportunity, he shook his head.

I was terrified of what Camorra could do to me. I knew he'd got to my brother. I was scared to ever come out onto the wing. They'd pumped him so full of crack and heroin and, Christ knows, that Jimson weed, he was out of his head.'

Idris bowed his head, crying, but they ploughed on. He repeated how Camorra had strapped Carly Ann down on the stone altar, stripped naked. He made everyone in the house watch: he wanted everyone to know what would happen to them if they betrayed him. Idris sobbed as he said he was forced to have sex with her whilst his brotherhardly able to focus, he was so druggedlooked on. He had watched Camorra strangle Carly Ann, but could do nothing to stop it: he was too scared.

Rashid had driven the Range Rover with Camorra beside him and Idris in the back seat; behind the dog rail lay the dead Carly Ann. When they stopped, Idris was instructed to cut off her hands and decapitate her. Camorra did not want her identified; as she had been arrested for prostitution, he knew her fingerprints would be on file. Idris was in such a state that he had only half-heartedly attempted to do what he had been told. Camorra, in a rage, had got out of the Range Rover with Rashid to do the job properly.

He had picked her up by her hair, holding her body up to slice at her neck, when this cop runs up. He dropped her and they both ran. I couldn't get away: they picked me up, with blood all over me. I had the knife. I said I done it: I was too scared not to.'

Idris pleaded with Anna to help him; all she could say was that she would do her best. She told him that one of the charges for which Camorra was arrested was the murder of Carly Ann. Idris hit the table in anger: the man who could help him was dead. At this point, Anna turned to Toby Freeman and asked if she could have two minutes alone with Idris. He agreed; the guards opened the door and he walked out.

Two minutes, Idris, that is all I have. I need you to answer me truthfully.'

Yes, anything. You know me now, I'm telling you the truth.'

Whilst you were held in the police station, you claimed you had not been alone, but with two other men: you gave two names and an address where they could be found.'

Yes.'

Did you call anyone from the station?'

Yes. I called Rashid Burry to get me a solicitor, and I told him.'

You then, after this phone call, changed your statementis that correct?'

Yes.'

You claimed that you had been alone with Carly Ann, and that you had just invented the fact that two other men were with youis that correct?'

Yes.'

Why did you lie?'

Idris bowed his head. I was told that Eamon was gonna die if I didn't. I gave the names of some blokes that had worked at the Peckham house; I just said the hostel, 'cos I knew it. They was really pushing me for answers; that guy Langton was hammering at me all night.'

So let's just go back to the Range Rover: you said that you were driven there by Rashid Burry.'

Yes, I've said this.'

Who was the other man in the Range Rover?'

Idris shrugged. I have told you: the other man was Eugene Camorra. I can say his name now he's dead, 'cos he can't do nothing to me any more. He held her by her hair, lifted her up so he could cut her throat...'

Anna nodded. When you called Rashid Burry from the police station, did you tell him about your statement?'

Rashid said I was a fuckin' idiot, 'cos they had guys there at the hostel and he didn't want the connection. I mean, I just said the first place that came into my head, right?'

Anna paused. What do you think happened after you had given the police this hostel address?'

Idris shrugged. I think Rashid got over there fast to get the guys out.'

With Camorra?'

I dunno. I guess so, yes.'

But you can't be certain?'

No. I did know that the cop who had been putting all the pressure on me was cut down.'

By Rashid?'

Idris shook his head. He never showed up after that night. I was told he was dead.'

Who told you that?'

I don't remember, but it scared the shit out of me that Camorra could hack a cop to pieces and get away with it. I mean, I wasn't going to talk then, no way.'

So you are certain that Eugene Camorra attacked the detective who had questioned you: James Langton?'

Yeah. Camorra had a machete; he was always wielding it around, it was razor sharp. I'm telling you, Camorra was a madman; he boasted about it. It scared the shit out of everyone.'

Idris began to sob again. He blubbered about a little boy and what Camorra had done to him: he had kept his skull and hands until they were black and shrunken, and then wore them like a necklace.

The door was rapped on: their time was up. Anna collected her papers.

Idris tried to reach out for her hand. Please get me a retrial, ma'amplease. I never killed that girl.'

Anna clicked her briefcase closed. You watched Camorra kill that little boy?'

Yeah, yeahwe had to; if we didn't obey him, he would turn on ushe...'

He never got to finish; the officers gestured that it was time for Anna to leave. She walked out, hearing Idris still calling her name, saying that he was innocent.

In the car park, Toby Freeman approached her. Do you think we'll get a fair crack at a retrial?'

Anna wound down her window. I really couldn't say.'

Well, look, thanks for your helpI really appreciate it. Way I see it, basically Idris is innocent and was too terrified to admit the truth.'

Anna merely smiled and drove away. She felt drained and couldn't wait to get home and shower: get rid of the stench of the prison; get rid of the images Idris had conjured up; get rid of the animal Eugene Camorra, who had dominated her thoughts for the months they had been trying to trace him.

Anna sat in a bathrobe and began to rip at the pages and pages of her notes. She did not care if Idris Krasiniqe was awarded a new trial or not: she didn't want any more of the sickness to invade her life. She knew, without a doubt, that DCI Langton must have recognized Eugene Camorra, just as she was certain he had fed him the horror poison.

Camorra had died in terror; she could only imagine the terror of the poor little boy whose decapitated body was found, like floating rubbish, in the canal. She could also imagine the terror of Carly Ann North, of Gail Sickert, her little girl and her two other children.

Langton's physical and mental control both astonished and frightened her. He was a formidable man, and she had no desire to get on the wrong side of him. She now knew she held a secreta very dangerous one.

Also by Lynda La Plante.

The Red Dahlia.

Above Suspicion The Legacy The Talisman.

Bella Mafia Entwined Cold Shoulder.

Cold Blood Cold Heart.

Sleeping Cruelty Royal Flush..

Prime Suspect Seekers She's Out.

The Governor The Governer II Trial and Retribution.

Trial and Retribution I Trial and Retribution II.

Trial and Retribution III Trial and Retribution IV.

Trial and Retribution V.