Grant audibly tuts, clearly not his normal affable self. Snatching the beer out of Leo's hand, he places it back into the fridge,
"Consider yourselves back on duty. We've had a call from the Dyfed–Powys Economic Crime Team. They want to brief us on something and are Skyping from Wales. DS Singh is waiting..." he checks to make sure he's on mute.
"...and I don't think she likes to be kept hanging around."
Turning the laptop to face you, the frowning face of DS Sandra Singh, an irritated-looking Sikh woman in her 40’s, fills the screen.
“Can you hear me now?” she asks.
“Am I off mute?”
“Good. Now let me get this done before the internet drops out again.”
“We’ve been investigating Councillor David Short, something of a big deal in the town of Cwmllyn. We’re conducting inquiries into some dodgy dealings: backhanders from property developers and the like. You don’t need to know the details.”
“What you do need to know is that he’s gone missing. Done a runner you think? Panama maybe? Well, watch this...”
After a little muttering, her face is replaced by some traffic-cam footage.
“Look at the lanky bloke: that’s Councillor Short,”
The footage shows what is obviously a school crossing. Parents and children are being ushered across by a lollipop lady. It all seems very ordinary until a tall, gangly man barges imperiously through the children.
“Here we go…” DS Singh says.
Halfway across the road, the man vanishes!
Strangely, nobody else seems to notice. The children troop across the road, the lollipop lady waves in thanks to the waiting vehicles and the traffic moves on.
“You can see why we called you lot. You’ve been designated as our Falcon liaison; we need you over here to check for weirdness and… well, whatever it is you lot do. Help us find Councillor Short so that we can throw the book at him. The Met is sending a car round in a couple of hours.”
Briefing over, she nods.
“In advance, welcome to Wales.”
The call is abruptly terminated.
"There - now you know as much as I do," says Grant ruefully.
"Looks like you've got a little time to do some research before your ride turns up."
She sighs, looking a little guilty.
"Sorry to dump this on you, but I've got a tonne of work to catch up on and the twins are teething. Nightingale reckons some mountain air will do you all good so..." he shrugs
"...off you go!"
