Strike

Before you say anything, it's like a family heirloom

and it still drives really well.

I can't see Matthew driving to work in this.

I know. He's desperate for an Audi.

Did you ever have a pony?

Why?

This feels like a Land Rover that's done a lot of gymkhanas.

You're sure you don't want me to come?

Thanks for the ride.

Sorry I'm late, work.

Oh, does he keep you out late every night?

Thanks. Er, we're just busy at the moment.

- Are you still just temping? - No, I've gone full-time.

He just pay you less than an agency.

Well, money's not everything.

He's a bit beaten-up looking.

But then that looks good on some men, doesn't it? Looking a bit used.

Well, most of us chaps are a bit second-hand at this point.

I think a second leg might be higher up Cormoran's list.

Is it still just the two of you in the office?

So, Sarah, how's your work going?

Doors opening.

Doors closing.

Hello?

Oh, hello, Cormoran Strike.

Oh, Ellacott, that's me.

Hiya.

Any post?

Bills, mostly.

Have you, er, picked up your e-mail? There's a new client request.

Thinks his girlfriend's cheating.

Can we fit him in?

- Oh, I'm not sure we've got time. - Thanks.

She's a LSE student and a part-time stripper on Tottenham Court Road.

I suppose it depends how often she's cheating.

I'll call him now and give him our rates.

Cormoran Strike's office.

- Robin speaking. - You sent us an e-mail enquiry?

Ah, hello, yes, thank you very much for calling back.

So we really like the salmon for starter and then the beef for main,

but we thought maybe risotto was a little bit boring for vegetarian?

Where's she working now?

Well, there's ten in total but three are vegan and one's paleo-vegan.

Er, yeah, no, I'll put my team onto it.

I suppose we could do with and without cheese?

And what's her name?

Er, can I call you back?

Cheers.

Robin?

- You ok? - I'm fine.

We'll get back to you.

Yeah.

We've been sent a leg.

- A leg? - It's not even in my size.

All right, I'm on my way.

Cup of tea? Something stronger? I've got beer.

Tea sounds good.

I'll put the kettle on.

Don't touch it.

Why would I touch it?

You've gone white.

Whose leg did you think it was?

I don't know.

Well, you mightn't know but something occurred to you.

What were you thinking?

There was a scar, an old scar, I'd say the leg belongs to

somebody in their teens, maybe their early twenties.

And I'd seen scarring like that before.

It might be a girl called Brittany Brockbank.

Her father was Major Niall Brockbank.

He had a reputation for cruelty.

Brittany told a school friend that Brockbank was having sex with her

and she was worried she might get pregnant.

Her friend’s dad told SIB, so I was there as the investigating officer

when she was interviewed the poor thing denied everything, of course.

She must have been terrified.

Brockbank had threatened to cut her legs off if anyone found out.

The scars were his idea of a warning.

I made it up. It were a joke.

Has your dad ever threatened to hurt you?

Daddy wouldn't do that.

I didn’t mean any of it.

If you want to tell me anything, Brittany, you can.

- What happened to him? - No charges brought.

But he still has good reason to hate me.

- He thinks I injured him. - Did you?

His arrest went badly.

The only other man who's sick enough and hates me enough to send me

a leg is a Scot called Donald Laing.

He used to write me threatening letters,

- they'll be on file somewhere. - I'll get cracking.

No, we’re just arriving. Forensics are here.

A fucking leg?

What about the bike?

It was a Black Honda. Big. 600cc at least.

The courier was in black leathers. His helmet had a dark visor

and he kept it down.

He looked big but the jacket could have just padded him out.

Not a fat bastard, like the boss?

And you signed for it? Yeah.

Oh, it was addressed to me.

Could just be them demonstrating they've done their homework.

Any ideas?

I think there's something underneath it.

It could be a note.

"A harvest of limbs, of arms and of legs, the toes that crawl..."

"The knees that jerk, the necks like swans that seem to turn,."

"As if inclined to gasp or pray."

Last verse of Mistress Of The Salmon Salt by Blue Oyster Cult.

- You're a fan? - They were my mum's favourite band.

She had that particular song title...

..tattooed.

- And where's your mum today? - Whitechapel cemetery.

Her second husband killed her.

Never went down for it, though.

Jeff Whittaker.

Who'd you reckon left that one, then? It's probably Uncle Ted.

That's an Erica carnea,

or it was before winter in Whitechapel.

He grows 'em.

I dunno what those are.

Garage had 'em on sale.

How's the stump, then?

It's not like an old relative.

You don't have to ask after it.

Top girl, your mum.

Thanks.

Sorry.

So... it was addressed to you?

But meant for Strike, obviously.

A severed woman's leg was sent to you, and for what?

Slightly less than the minimum wage?

Would it be all right if I was on 100 grand?

How many share options make a girl's severed limb worth me dealing with?

I've got work to do.

You up for killing Whittaker yet?

Still a "no" from me.

I need you to find him, though.

That's why I wanted to see you.

I received a severed leg in this morning's post,

with some Blue Oyster Cult lyrics.

He holds grudges.

This feels like him.

The police are looking but they won't find him.

No, he's probably squatting somewhere.

He'll be in some shitty band an' all.

Pretty girl. Exactly.

So, work fast.

Hey... Rob.

Rob, Rob, Rob?

Jesus! That sound you were making!

Jesus! That sound you were making!

What sound?

You were doing what you used to do.

Look, we're getting married.

And seeing you in this state...

..it's not good for you and you know that.

I'm fine.

Honestly.

I'm sure Strike's delighted.

What are you talking about?

Well, he's going to make a pass at you at some point.

And you just getting worked up into this state it, like, gives...

He won't. And I'd be perfectly capable of shoving him off.

Of course you would.

Oh, Jesus! What is wrong with you?

You're so naive!

He... he is my colleague and friend, like Sarah is your friend

and it's not like the two of you have ever...

Have you?

Oh, you have.

- You've slept with her. - No.

- This is ridiculous. - When?

Can we both Just put down our boxing gloves and...

Don't lie to me, Matthew. I saw it in your face.

I saw it.

You can't take it back.

- Are you having an affair? - No.

100%, no. I promise.

Tell me, it...

Tell me it wasn't then.

Robs, please, I haven't even...

Rob, I've messed up.

I've messed up.

Message deleted. Next new message.

I've been trying to get hold of you. Call me back, will you?

Message deleted.

Next new message.

Why aren't you picking?

Message deleted. Next new message.

Robin, please...

Message deleted. Next new message.

- Ellacott, call me AS... - Message deleted.

Hi, I'm here.

Yeah, I was still following that stripper.

We were sent a severed leg yesterday!

He even spelt your name with two T's,

so keep your phone on and pick the damn thing up when I call!

- Yeah, I'll try. - Meet me in the office at five.

Can I have another?