Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Helen marched swiftly away from the Marwood residence, ignoring the scattering of uniformed officers and the growing crowd of bystanders. Her emotions were in tumult, her mind a blur of conflicting thoughts, and she needed to get back to base to try and process the morning's shocking events. As she neared her Kawasaki, however, she saw someone making a beeline for her, intent on cutting her off before she could escape. Slowing her stride, she turned to see PC Dave Reynolds approaching.

‘Just been manning the barricades,' he offered genially, nodding towards the police tape that was keeping the press and neighbours at bay. ‘But I couldn't let you go without offering my congratulations.'

Helen starred at Reynolds, taken aback. He was either completely innocent or the most brazen liar she'd ever met.

‘I know we've had our differences, but I appreciate you were only doing your job. And what a job you've done! So, no hard feelings, eh?'

He offered his hand to her, a warm act of generosity. Aware that other officers were watching, Helen had no choice but to respond with a cursory shake. To her surprise, however, Reynolds clung fast to her hand, refusing to let it go.

‘Say what they like about you, DI Grace,' he continued, smiling broadly. ‘You always get your man.'

His eyes were locked onto hers now, their naked hostility belying the warmth of his smile. It was instantly clear that all professions of goodwill were paper-thin, that he hated Helen as much now as he had done last night. This was a challenge, a way of letting Helen know that nothing was forgotten, nor forgiven, and it was not a challenge she was minded to duck. So instead of pulling her hand away, Helen increased the pressure herself, her long fingers seeking out Reynolds' recent bite injury and pressing down hard on it. She was pleased to see a jerk of pain, a flash of anger, before the PC suddenly tugged his hand free.

‘The feeling's mutual, PC Reynolds,' Helen responded, smiling coldly. ‘It's been an honour working with you.'

Aware that others were watching, Reynolds didn't respond, instead nodding politely and heading back to his duties. Helen watched him go, unnerved, more convinced than ever that there was something malign, something unseen, about PC Dave Reynolds. Turning, she walked back to her bike, deep in thought, changing course only at the very last moment to divert to DC Wilson, who was standing by the police tape, watching the circus unfold.

‘DC Wilson, a word …?'

He hurried over to her. Tugging her purse from her jacket, Helen retrieved the two ￡20 notes Jackie Reynolds had given her, using her gloved fingers to extract them and drop them into an evidence bag.

‘Get these to Meredith ASAP, will you? Ask her to look for traces of drugs, fingerprints of known felons, anything remotely criminal, OK?'

‘And this is?' her colleague enquired, intrigued.

‘Quick as you can please.'

Taking the hint, Wilson hurried off to the car. Helen loitered by her bike, lost in her own reflections. Was she right to pursue this line of enquiry? Was PC Reynolds really worthy of her special attention? Or had she lost her bearings completely?

Had her instincts been wrong all along?