‘Good result, Ian,’ Price said.
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘It was certainly a baptism of fire for you, Sergeant Morgan.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Have you heard about Roger Buckland?’
Drake and Sara turned to look at Price.
‘I understand he has left North Wales to join a mission in Botswana. One of the charities linked to his evangelical church thought he might be a good fit for their work.’
‘Is Norma Buckland joining him?’ Drake said.
‘Apparently not.’
Price reached for his cap and drew it over his head, adjusting it carefully.
‘I’d better go and talk to the press.’ Price reached into his inside jacket pocket where he found a printed sheet of paper that he scanned quickly. Then he headed towards the camera crews gathered by the main entrance.
Drake and Sara watched as the various camera crews jostled for the right shot of Superintendent Price explaining that the WPS were pleased with the verdicts and with the sentence handed down. Drake heard the words teamwork and thorough policing being used.
Then abruptly, the press statement was over, Price declining to take questions. He strode away to his car.
It was late in the afternoon when Drake got back to Colwyn Bay.
Instead of returning to headquarters he parked by the promenade. He walked briskly towards Rhos on Sea, passing the derelict pier, enjoying the fresh air and the momentum from walking after two days spent hanging around a court building waiting for the jury to make up its mind. He reached the entrance of the Porth Eirias visitor centre when his mobile telephone rang. He recognised Huw Jackson’s number.
‘Hello, Huw.’
‘I heard on the radio Ellingham was sentenced to twenty-eight years.’
‘The jury took a long time to decide.’
‘So that means there’s no doubt about Hopkin’s death. I know Geraint Wood was still worried he might be under suspicion.’
‘Not any longer.’
‘He’s just won a big commission for an installation in New York.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
Behind him Drake could hear a group wondering if they had to book for the celebrity chef restaurant in the visitor centre behind them.
‘My daughter is thinking of a career in the police and I was wondering if you could give her some advice.’
‘Of course.’
‘Perhaps you’d like to come for dinner one evening?’
‘Thanks. I’d like that.’
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Dead on Your Feet Page 30