As inept as McCormick is at his job, I cannot fathom why any reader would expect that police force to be anything but a clown car at a circus. As a reader, I am struggling for any other option except that McCormick is now somehow working for or with Tarquin. This town seems to be becoming a major mafia operation with Tarquin being at least a local operator based on the level of corruption and complicity. I am really struggling to give this the benefit of the doubt. (Sorry.) There are too many infuriating characters and situations - maybe it is time to tell Noah to load the Arc and cleanse the rest. AARRGGHH!!!