“Armstrong.” A sharp voice cut through the sea air. She turned.

“Your team buried evidence,” Vance replied flatly. “From now on, MPC steps in whenever a serving officer is implicated. No exceptions.”

“DCI Marsh,” Lisa whispered.

The MPC had cracked the lid. Now the real rot would have to breathe.

Marsh gave Lisa a tight, apologetic look. He’d been overruled.

The tide had gone out, leaving the mudflat exposed and cracked. Lisa stood alone where Finn’s body had been found. Her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: “MPC isn’t the problem. The leak is. Finn had help inside. Watch your back.”

Lisa felt her stomach drop. Abbie Harkness. A fifteen-year-old case. Closed. Buried. Her case.