Chapter 59

Chris Hudson sits in his office, reflecting on the absence of family photographs and on his own private loneliness before forcing his attention back to the investigation. He considers Ian Ventham’s murder, noting that Chris was present when Ventham died and that many possible suspects were nearby, including the Thursday Murder Club, the priest, and an unidentified woman.

Chris wonders whether the same person killed both Ian Ventham and Tony Curran, since solving one murder might solve the other. Chris also thinks about the unanswered calls to Tony Curran’s phone and wishes he had broader access to phone surveillance, remembering a past case where prison phone monitoring quickly exposed hidden money.

DI Terry Hallet enters with a new lead in Tony Curran’s case. Terry has found a car that took twelve minutes to travel the half mile between two speed cameras on either side of Tony Curran’s house, at exactly the relevant time. The delay suggests the car stopped near Tony’s house for about ten minutes.

Chris and Terry consider whether there is any innocent reason for the delay, such as stopping in a lay-by, but agree the timing is suspicious. Terry then reveals the registered owner of the car, though the name is not disclosed in the chapter. Chris recognizes the importance of the discovery, and both officers treat it as a likely breakthrough, deciding it is time to question the owner.