She didn't have time to think of that now.

“Alexandra,” Nick said, looking up from some papers on his desk.

“The homicide case from last night is apparently no longer our concern?” Alex said.

“And good morning to you, do come in. The Greys Inn murder is a matter of national security and therefore no longer in our jurisdiction.”

“Our jurisdiction? You've got to be kidding me. This is the first lead we get and you are giving it away? It's the same killer.”

“We don't know that and even if that is so, the decision has been made. All the details have been removed from the incident room, if you have anything else pertaining to the case you are to turn it in immediately.”

“Do you not care about us solving this case or the fact that you are flushing my career down the toilet?”

“Watch what you say Detective Inspector. I, of all people, want us to bring this case to a close, it is my name that rests upon our success.”

“But how can we solve it when they have taken away our strongest lead?”

“Alex, as your father, trust me when I say you have got to let this go. Fight it and you'll be done for, I won't be able to protect you. I am having us go over all of the evidence again, there will be some clue that was missed.”

There was a knock at the door and Alex turned to meet a tall woman in a dark suit standing in the doorway, a large leather portfolio under her arm. She was pretty and slim. Alex immediately didn't like her. Her jet black hair was cut in such a way as to frame her face perfectly, a straight fringe accentuating her exquisite bone structure.

“I hope I'm not interrupting anything?” the woman said, her voice had a weight to it that made Alex feel uneasy.

“Not at all,” Nick said, as he rose from his desk. “We had just finished.”

Alex turned and started to leave when the woman sidestepped to intercept her.

“Alex, isn't it?” she asked.

“Detective Inspector Alexandra Stroud. And you are?” Alex said.

“Alice Harvey-Smith, QC. You have a look of your father you know?” Alice said.

Well thank you. No greater compliment that looking like her dad. Was that a power play, a quick put-down that said she knew that her father was behind any career success Alex had? She had to stop thinking like that, paranoia did nobody any good.

“I do hope not,” Alex said.

She moved to the other side of Alice and left the room, closing the door behind her to the sound of laughter. Dimitri was standing next the secretary who flashed a nervous glance toward her.

“What?” Alex said.

The woman found some paperwork to busy herself with on her desk.

“We are off the case,” Alex said.

“What did he say?” Dimitri said.

“Bloody secret squirrels will pick it up. We get left with the rest.”

“Did you fight him? I know he is your father, but-”

“Of course I bloody did, you idiot. Damn it. We need to get back to the bullring.”

When they reached the incident room, it had already been stripped of anything to do with last night's murder.

“Christ,” Alex said looking through the photos on her mobile.