Page 62 of The Unforgiven

“If I did that, you’d have an additional murder – mine. And you wouldn’t have to look far for a suspect – Pam. No, Mia, six months or so and I’m taking the pot at the end of what’s been a very shitty rainbow. What’ve you got.”

“Another email from Atlas.”

He didn’t flinch. “Oh, aye. What does this one say?”

“They don’t seem to concern you – you aren’t actively trying to work out the identity.” Which was niggling me more than what the emails contained.

Wrigley didn’t say anything for a moment, just sat down at his desk and fiddled with a pen, his key tell that he was mulling something over.

“I think this case – and you – have piqued the interest of someone who thinks they’re a bit of detective themselves. What did he look like?”

“I can show you.” I opened the photo app on my phone and found the selfie I’d taken, post run. “Here. He was happy enough for me to take this.”

Wrigley took the phone from me and stared at the photo, nodding. “Aye, nothing to worry about there. That’s why he let you take it. You do a reverse image search of that and nothing will come up, I reckon.”

“You’re right. It didn’t.” That’d been one of the first things I’d done, even before I’d driven off.

“What’s he said this time, then?”

I showed him the email. “I’ll get Nick looking at them”

Vinny flew into the office. “Boss – I’ve got another ID, sorry, Mac.”

“Hang on, son. I agree, get Nick to look at this and what do you want to do?” Wrigley gave Vinny a look to freeze him.”

“I want to get some more information on Charlie Mason. His parents are dead, but some of his siblings are still alive, but he also had a social worker as an adult as he was classed as vulnerable due to his mental health. I’d like to speak to them just to see if there was anyone who may’ve targeted him. Like the email says, I want to go back to Leeds and the hospital.” I ignored the holes Vinny’s eyes were trying to drive into me.

“I think you’re wasting your time, Mac. This is seriously something to do with incel ideology. This bloke – Jordan Calvert, on the forum he’s known as Cracked Compass 87 – he lives in Manchester, and he’s a teacher.” Vinny folded his arms. “I’d like to bring him in for questioning.”

I stopped, frozen. More unnerved than I had been by the email. “Jordan Calvert? What school does he teach at?”

“Moorbridge High in Didsbury - ” Vinny stopped, too focused on me. “What school does your boyfriend teach at?”

“Moorbridge High. Lucy’s there too.” Panic sometimes spiked sharper than a needle. “Do you want me to find out if they have any concerns about him?” I felt like my brain had gone into overdrive, reeling through anything that Cavan or Lucy had said, or I’d said to them.

“Was he at the party?” Vinny was starting to look ruffled.

I shook my head. “No, he’s not a friend of Lucy’s. But I think he plays football with Cavan.”

Wrigley tapped on the table. “Vinny, don’t bring him in yet. Speak to the Local Authority Designated Officer, see if any concerns have been raised about him while he’s been a teacher, and contact the DBS. At the moment, we only have a few comments he’s made online and he lives in the area.”

“We could bring him in as intel to start with.” Vinny wasn’t going to give up on this, but I understood why. This was the first name we’d had in days.

“No, I want a bit more. Mac, do your digging on Charlie Mason, and forward that email to Nick – he can do some follow up work online.” Wrigley stood up again. “I’ll go and have a word with him.”

“Boss, do you really think Charlie Mason’s got anything to do with this beyond a connection with the weapon? I mean - ”

Wrigley cut Vinny short. “When you’re DI, you can make the calls.” He left his office, leaving Vinny glaring at me.

“Why did you get chosen to receive these emails? Don’t you think someone’s just trying to throw you off?” His tone was accusatory and I wondered if he thought I was hunting for some sort of extra glory.

“Maybe. But maybe not.”

“Why you, Mia? Why’s he emailed you? What’ve you done that’s made him pick you?”

“Would you rather it was you? Is that what this is about?”

He looked at the floor, shoulders slumping. “Yes – no, not because I don’t want you to break the case. I just find it weird that he’s contacted one of the only women on the team, and you’re a similar age to the vics.” He looked back up, meeting my eyes.