Pop Goes the Weasel | страница 43

‘So we have to put someone in the line of fire.’

‘Exactly.’

Tony said nothing. His expression was neutral, but he was excited by the prospect. His life had been so regimented for so long that a chance to be on the front line again was tempting.

‘We can only do so much working with motive and MO – this killer is scrupulously careful about forensics and uses out-of-the-way locations. So we need someone on the ground, posing as a punter, sniffing around. I know you’ll need time to process this. And I’m sure there’ll be loads of questions you want to ask, but I need an answer fast. This could be…’

Helen paused, choosing her words carefully.

‘… This could be something big. And I want to nip it in the bud.’

Tony promised to think about it overnight, but he knew already that he was going to say yes. It was dangerous for sure, but if it wasn’t him it would be someone else. Someone less experienced. He was a DS now and it was right for him to step up. Mark Fuller wouldn’t have ducked something like this and he had had a kid, for God’s sake.

Helen headed back to the incident room, leaving Tony to his thoughts. He allowed himself a pint, as he mentally scrolled through the challenges that lay ahead. How to frame it for Nicola? How could he quell her anxiety and reassure her that the risks were minimal?

He sat alone, supping his pint, lost in thought. A last drink for the condemned man.

She had snuck up behind her without making a sound. Charlie had been so involved in her work, so excited by her discoveries, that she hadn’t noticed Harwood’s approach.

‘How are you getting on, Charlie?’

Charlie jumped, startled by this sudden intrusion. She turned and blustered a response – it was unnerving to find the station chief looming over you.

‘Settling back in ok?’ Harwood continued.

‘Yes, Ma’am. Making good progress and everyone’s been very welcoming. Those who are here at least.’

‘Yes, you’ve caught us at a busy time. But I’m delighted you’re back, Charlie – it would have been a shame to lose such a talented officer.’

Charlie said nothing. What was the correct response to this unwarranted compliment? Charlie had been off sick for a year after nearly getting herself killed – it wasn’t the greatest recommendation to the new station chief. In the aftermath of her abduction, Charlie had prepared herself for the call suggesting she might be happier elsewhere, but it had never come. Instead she’d been encouraged to return to work and was now being praised by a woman she hardly knew.