A Cast of Falcons Read Online Free

up.
    â€œCanada,” said McLeod with a smile. “C’mon, let’s sit a while and you can tell me what it is about this old bird guide of yours that’s special enough for you to drive all the way up here to get it.”
    Jejeune smiled back. No, I won’t tell you that, he thought. But I’ll tell you a plausible enough story that it won’t insult your intelligence.

4
    D CI Jejeune would not be returning for another couple of days. The desk sergeant had not exactly averted his eyes when he delivered the news to Danny Maik, but he hadn’t been keen to let them linger too long under the sergeant’s flinty stare, either. He consequently greeted DCS Colleen Shepherd’s appearance in the doorway with more enthusiasm than she, or Maik, would normally have expected.
    Shepherd had already received the news, and was looking for someone to tell how she felt about it. She fixed Maik with a look. “Anything I should know about, Sergeant? I understand that he needs to sort out why this unknown man had a book with his name in it; but really, how long can it take to convince the local police that he knows nothing about it? The death up there is not suspicious in any way, is it?”
    Maik had received a call from a Sergeant McLeod just as Jejeune was making his way up to Scotland, and he had asked that very question, sergeant to sergeant. Which was the reason he was now able to confirm to Shepherd with such confidence that it was not.
    â€œAnd why on earth drive? He is aware we have air service to the wilds of Scotland, I take it? Even down here in the tiny backwater of north Norfolk.”
    Maik said nothing. Loyalty was about not saying anything that might get your superiors in trouble. It had nothing to do with inventing explanations for their irrational behaviour.
    â€œWalk with me,” she said, leading him along the hallway. It could have been one of those Americanisms she was so fond of, but it could have been a literal request. Shepherd was looking trim these days, fitter and better toned, the results of an exercise regimen she had pitched herself into, in the throes of yet another failed relationship. Maik wouldn’t have cared to speculate whether this newfound interest in her body shape was designed to improve Shepherd’s self-esteem, or her chances on the dating circuit, but it didn’t really matter much to him. His concern lay in the possibility of having to accompany his DCS on her rigorous daily walking circuit around the village streets. Maik regularly bemoaned the amount of paperwork that piled up on his desk during the course of a day, but he realized it might come in handy today if he needed an excuse to beg off from joining her.
    â€œI take it there’s still nothing to suggest anyone at the Old Dairy compound was involved in the Wayland murder?” she asked as they made their way along the corridor. Though she took a broad spectrum approach, both of them knew she was really only asking about one person.
    â€œPrince Yousef’s alibi remains firm, ma’am. A researcher who works up there is certain she saw Philip Wayland entering the woods at seven p.m.”
    Shepherd nodded. “And the prince was already in his helicopter by that time, in radio contact with ground control. So why does the Inspector want me to arrange an interview with him?”
    She stopped walking and turned to look at Maik intently. It was impossible to tell from her expression whether Jejeune had mentioned his doubts to her, those same misgivings he had carelessly tossed in amongst his last-minute instructions to Danny Maik as he rushed out the door: “This statement that puts the Prince in the clear, Sergeant,” Jejeune had said, shaking his head doubtfully. “I’d like a word with him, the moment I get back.”
    Maik responded frankly. “Perhaps it’s because Yousef’s the head of the operation up there.”
    â€œThe de facto