Chapter 107

Chris receives confirmation that an international warrant has been issued for Johnny Gunduz, who is wanted for questioning over Tony Curran’s murder. The development feels like a successful end to the day, even though the evidence remains imperfect: the euros Steve Ercan gave the police have no fingerprints.

The money still strengthens the Cyprus lead because it was withdrawn from a bureau de change in Northern Cyprus three days before Tony was killed. Chris has given Joe Kyprianou the bureau’s address in case CCTV might help, but Joe immediately dismisses the possibility as unrealistic. Chris accepts that whether Cypriot authorities find Johnny is now largely out of his hands.

Instead of celebrating with police colleagues, Chris wants a quiet evening with a curry, Donna, television, wine, and perhaps a conversation about the Ventham case. Donna, however, has mentioned a mystery date, leaving Chris to face a solitary night at home.

Chris reflects uneasily on whether his solitary routines mean he is content or lonely. The question has begun to trouble him often, and Chris privately suspects the honest answer is loneliness.

Because leaving immediately would put Chris in rush-hour traffic, he closes the Tony Curran file and opens the Ventham file. Chris wonders what, or whom, he has missed, and a troubling thought returns: the old convent had a hospital, Joyce was once a nurse, and perhaps he should run Joyce Meadowcroft’s name through the system or discuss the possibility with Donna.