Chapter 12

From the car, the Lightning Tree looked as if it had been dug up and replanted upside down. That was Poe's first impression. He didn't know how many times the lone oak sentinel had been struck by lightning, but it was leafless, barkless and very, very dead. The skeletal, root-like branches were stark against the clear sky.

Poe didn't need to ask why it was an attractive place to Druids. Even in the low summer sun, the tree looked mystical. He wondered if they would still use it. Surely a man being tied up and stoned to death had to be bad karma, or whatever it was they called it.

Bradshaw said she would stay in the car while Poe met with Nightingale. Linus said he would keep her company. Poe didn't like that idea at all and insisted they all go.

‘But I want to start profiling Cornelius Green, Poe,' Tilly said. She looked out of the passenger-side window. ‘Plus, it's been raining and my wellington boots are at the bottom of my suitcase.'

‘And I only have these,' Linus said, gesturing at his polished shoes.

Which settled it.

‘I'll get your wellies, Tilly,' Poe said. ‘And Snoopy, you shouldn't have come to Cumbria without outdoor clothing.'

‘But you said there wasn't time for me to go home and get—'

‘That sounds like a "you" problem.'

Poe's sturdy boots had thick treads, and Bradshaw had bought her wellingtons under his guidance a couple of years earlier. He had insisted she spend decent money, which she had. She was therefore able to stay upright on the wet and slippery slope. Linus, with his smooth-bottomed Italian loafers, fell over twice.

To his credit he didn't complain, even when Poe pointed and laughed.

Nightingale met Poe at the outer cordon. She was wearing the works: white paper barrier suit, forensic gloves, overshoes and a face mask. She ducked under the tape and removed her mask and gloves.

They shook hands. Poe didn't introduce Linus and Nightingale didn't ask.

‘Complex scene?' Poe said.

‘Not really. Just a lot of it. Whoever did this used whatever rocks were lying around and they all have to be identified. I doubt we'll find the killer's DNA on them, but I'm checking anyway.'

‘Any new information?'

‘Not since we spoke.' She looked at Linus. ‘Can we talk in front of him?'

‘Yes,' Linus said.

‘Absolutely not,' Poe said.

‘The arrangement was—'

‘You don't have an arrangement with me, sunshine,' Nightingale cut in. ‘If Poe says we don't talk in front of you, then we don't talk in front of you.'

‘Wait over there,' Poe said.

Linus folded his arms. ‘This is public land and I'm not moving,' he said.

‘Can we talk in the outer cordon, ma'am?'

‘That'll work,' Nightingale said. ‘Mr Intern, if you—'

‘I'm not an—'

‘—set one foot inside this cordon without my express permission, I'll have you arrested.'

‘You might want to write that down in your little tablet,' Poe said.