Chapter 53

Chapter 53

‘I just wanted to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the team on the swift and decisive resolution to the case.'

Charlie stared at Chief Superintendent Rebecca Holmes, clamping down her rising anger. Clearly, she was alone in feeling this, as the rest of the unit were in party mood, and Holmes seemed determined to join in, appearing in the incident room as if by magic, bestowing smiles and handshakes on all and sundry.

‘Obviously, there is work still to be done,' the station chief continued brightly. ‘Finding Naomi Watson remains our top priority, as far as this case is concerned at least, and a forensic analysis of Ryan Marwood's movements over the past few days is required. But I'm confident that with careful, methodical detective work, we can find our girl and bring her home safe.'

Unbelievably, a couple of the team broke into a round of applause, one of them even whooping. Holmes took the acclaim graciously, before continuing:

‘Anyway, I wanted to add my thanks to those of the police commissioner for your diligent work on this case. Although we'd obviously have preferred to have Marwood in custody, a dangerous predator has been removed from the streets, for which we can all be thankful.'

Charlie eyed Holmes carefully. Was that a tacit dig at Helen? Despite the fact that she had risked her own life to try and bring him in? It was impossible to say, but her superior wasn't finished yet.

‘Credit must also go to DC Jennings. Without his dogged determination and eagle-eyed vigilance, Ryan Marwood might have slipped the net. The women, the citizens of this city, owe him a real debt of gratitude.'

Another round of applause broke out, louder this time, accompanied by many pats on the back. Charlie was virtually choking on her fury now – Jennings had done little, and was the death of a suspect really a cause for celebration? – waiting for Holmes to bestow a few words of thanks on her. She had her best fake smile ready and was prepared to accept the praise with grace, but to her surprise and astonishment, Holmes now changed tack.

‘Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. When DI Grace reappears, I'm sure she'll apportion individual tasks to you. Obviously Naomi Watson is a priority, especially given the attention her disappearance has provoked, but I'm hopeful now that we can make progress on the Freemantle shooting too, so that we can really show the breadth of our operation.'

Charlie was already on her way to the door. She knew her abrupt departure would be remarked upon, but she was not prepared to be humiliated in front of the team. She was a vital part of the leadership team, reliant on the unit's respect and loyalty in order to be able to do her job, and Holmes' calculated snub seemed designed to undermine her. Well, she wasn't going to sit quietly and take that kind of insult, she was too long in the tooth for that.

Pushing angrily out the door, Charlie emerged into the long corridor beyond, heading fast for the lift bank. She needed some fresh air, some time to think, to gather herself in order to avoid a very public, very damaging explosion of anger. Hammering the button, she paced back and forth, awaiting release, but as she did so, she heard footsteps approaching. Fearing the worst, she looked up sharply, her face set in angry hostility, but her expression softened when she saw PC Beth Beamer approaching.

‘Sorry to disturb you, DS Brooks,' the young probationer said tentatively, instantly clocking her dark mood. ‘But I thought you ought to know that I've just brought Brent Mason in. DI Grace said you were keen to have a word with him?'

Instantly, Charlie felt her mood lighten and she smiled as she replied, ‘Let DI Grace know straightaway please. And tell her I'll join her in the interrogation suite.'

Charlie was already on the move, entering the lift and pressing the button for the first floor. Frustrated, angry, she now had an outlet for her simmering emotions: an unwitting, pliant victim waiting for her downstairs. And she intended to make the most of it.