NINETY-THREE

5.45 P.M.

‘Guys, we are in the shit,’ Kim said once she had Stacey and Penn on the other end of the phone.

‘I’m trying, boss,’ Penn said, and Kim could hear the emotion in his voice.

‘Forget the tiles for a minute. We’ve got to think like our killer. He’s had us running round like idiots for almost thirty-six hours.

The game is almost up, but he’s not as clever as we gave him credit for. Look at the places he’s sent us. Saltwells, a well-known nature reserve;

Dudley Zoo, a tourist attraction; Clent, a beauty spot; the Red House Glass Cone, a famous historic location; the Obelisk, something that can be seen for miles; the famous Singing Cave.’

‘And now it’s the finale. How can he better what he’s already done?’ Bryant asked.

‘Wait, wait, wait,’ Penn said, moving tiles around on the desk. ‘I’ve got it. The tiles are the location. It’s the Black Country Museum.’

‘Are you sure, Penn?’ Kim asked. They couldn’t afford to make a mistake now.

He hesitated for just a second, and she could hear the tiles being moved around.

‘Absolutely positive,’ he said. ‘That’s what the tiles spell out.’

‘Then I suggest you two get your asses there. Now.’