Smith kept reading. “Lewis helped import and distribute illegal drugs. He was responsible both for concealing the overdose death of Katie Cameron, aged fourteen, and killing Jack Murray. Footage taken from Murray’s phone and delivered to British Intelligence by Cobra this evening shows Lewis and other men in MSP Whitehall’s employ loading Miss Cameron’s body into a vehicle. Her body was subsequently dumped in a ditch. Is that everything, Mr. McManus?”
Quinn blinked, stared at Smith, momentarily speechless. The man had said nothing about Elizabeth’s abduction or Quinn’s involvement.
They’re letting you off the hook, man.
Quinn nodded. “Aye, that’s it exactly.”
Smith stood. “You’re wondering why you’re not being led away in handcuffs. I’ll explain. The intel you and Ms. Shields provided has proven to be most interesting. You two exposed two drug dealers, revealed a possible IRA cell, solved a murder, and uncovered a sexual exploitation scheme, resolving the death of a teenage girl and leading us to a leak in the police station.”
“The leak—you found it?”
Smith nodded. “PC Patel has been feeding information to Grant for years. She also had a relationship with MSP Whitehall, who was manipulating her, using her to feed information to the media. It was Whitehall, through Lewis, who told her that you and Shields were distributing drugs. DS Wilson suspected her after the drug raid at the hotel. We knew we had her when he discovered that she had illegally prepared the warrant to search your suitesbeforethe tip from Lewis came in.”
Smith stood, Corbray and Tower, too. “Thanks for your help.”
Quinn stood as well, shook his hand, unable to believe he was going free. “Thank you, sir. I’m grateful.”
“You help us. We help you. We’re the good guys, right?”
Still reeling, Quinn stepped out into the hallway, followed by Corbray and Tower, who shook Smith’s hand and thanked him.
What the hell had just happened?
He walked with Corbray and Tower to the lift. “If you’re goin’ to fire anyone, it should be me.”
“McManus…”
“None of this was Elizabeth’s doin’.” Quinn had to make certain they understood. “She only came here to help me and—”
“McManus!” Tower shook his head. “No one is being fired.”
Corbray clapped Quinn on the shoulder. “Get some sleep, man. You’ve had a busy day. And, hey, remind me never to go on vacation with you.”
“Aye, sir.”
Corbray and Tower stepped into the elevator.
“Aren’t you coming up?”
Quinn shook his head. “I’m goin’ down to the infirmary to check on Lili… Elizabeth.”
The two men looked at each other as the doors slid shut, both grinning.
Jesus.
Quinn needed a drink.
No, no more drinking. He needed Lilibet.
21
Elizabeth woke the next morning to find herself in Quinn’s arms, his warmth surrounding her. She snuggled into him, her face pressed against his heartbeat.
“Oh, man! He blew your fuckin’ head off.”
Men’s laughter.
She sat bolt upright.