Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PRESENT DAY: SUNDAY MORNING

S tonesend police station was a small building beside the village library and opposite the bakers. Neil Watson, head computer analyst, was thinking about doughnuts, but Beth's eyes were trained on him as he finished working on the photo, so he knew doughnuts would have to wait.

‘That's the best I can do,' he said.

Beth looked closely at Neil's computer screen. The photograph that Hale had given her was still blurry. She'd hoped for a better outcome.

‘Features are impossible to see. There are some marks on the arms,' said Neil, pointing. ‘I'd wager ten to one that they're tattoos, but deciphering them is impossible. They could be scars. Like I say, hard to tell.'

‘Someone here to see you, ma'am,' said DC Carpenter, popping his head around the door.

‘Right,' she said, standing up. ‘Can we try and get a closer view of those tattoos?'

‘I'm a computer expert, not bloody Jesus,' replied Neil.

‘I'm not asking you to walk on water,' she sighed. ‘Just try to get a close-up. Otherwise, one of us will have to catch the bugger red-handed at one in the morning. All volunteers write their names on the board.'

Beth picked up her phone from the desk, checked for any messages, then scrolled into her contacts and stared at Tom Miller's details for the hundredth time. She deliberated again whether to message. Insiders had told her he'd returned to work at Notting Hill station. Had she imagined the chemistry between them? It had felt so real at the time. Or had it been the closeness they'd shared because of the murder and suspicion surrounding the village at the time? Impulsively, she typed a message and then hit the send button. It simply read:

Can you believe it's been a year since we worked on that case together? How are you?

Then, pocketing her phone, she walked to the outer office where, according to the desk sergeant, someone was waiting to see her.

The woman looked up as Beth entered. Beth felt uncomfortable meeting her gaze. She knew she didn't look her best. There were dark circles under her eyes where she'd not slept enough, and there never seemed to be enough time to put on make-up.

‘Can I help you?' asked Beth.

‘I'm Constable Rawlins. I was told to report to you today.'

Beth fought back a sigh. Shit, how could she have forgotten? Blimey, constables are getting younger , she thought, or maybe I'm just getting older.

‘Have I got the day wrong?' asked Ana innocently.

‘Of course not. Sorry, it's been a long night. Come in and meet the team. Are you old enough for this job? You look about sixteen,' said Beth as they walked.

‘I'm well over sixteen, I assure you.' Ana laughed, confidently following Beth through reception and into the busy department. Beth clocked the admiring glances the men gave Ana, but the new DC seemed unaware of it, as if it was something she had experienced often.

‘Everyone, this is DC Ana Rawlins. Ana's joining the team. Make her welcome. No filthy jokes, and watch your language until she gets used to it here,' announced Beth. ‘Ana, this is DC Luke Carpenter, and that's DC Matt Wilkins. We're a small department, as you can see. You'll meet the DI later.'

‘Hi, I'm pleased to be part of the team,' Ana said, her accent taking them all by surprise. ‘And I think it's my language we'll have to watch.'

‘You from up north then?' said Neil.

‘Meet "state the bloody obvious" Neil Watson. He's one of our computer analysts and not bloody Jesus, as he keeps reminding me.' Beth laughed.

‘Aw, not Jesus, then. That's a disappointment,' said Ana, smiling. ‘I could have taken to someone who turned water into wine.'

‘ Head computer analyst,' Neil corrected. ‘And as close to God as they come.'

Matt nudged Luke in the ribs. ‘Bet you get her, you lucky bastard.'

‘DC Matthew Wilkins, you'll be working with DC Rawlins. Fill her in on this trail bike rider. Show her around and take her with you to Ludbrook Grove. See what you can find out about that trail bike.'

‘Who's the lucky bastard then?' Luke smiled.

Matt grinned and wished he could show her around somewhere better than Ludbrook Grove. ‘We'll also do a tour of Stonesend,' he said. ‘Get to know the locals.'

Beth noticed the team staring at Ana and rolled her eyes. ‘Has nobody got any work to do around here?'

In her office she checked her phone and felt disappointed that her message hadn't been read. Then, she stared at it for a few seconds and, without a moment's hesitation, deleted it. For some strange reason, when the phone on her desk rang, she thought it was him and answered breathlessly.

‘Hello?'

‘Beth, my office, please,' said Chief Superintendent Lewis.

Beth stifled a sigh. ‘Yes, sir.' Had Matt put her in it? Surely not. Beth felt sure she had his loyalty.

Lewis looked up and smiled when Beth entered, and some of her anxiety eased. ‘Sit down, Beth,' he said.

Beth sat down reluctantly. ‘Will this take long, chief? Only…'

Lewis pushed the papers he'd been reading to one side, leaned his elbows onto the desk, and clasping his hands, looked at Beth and said bluntly, ‘DI Stephens isn't coming in today or any other day in the future, come to that.'

‘What?' Beth said, surprised. ‘What's happened? Is he all right?'

DI Stephens had replaced DI Miller just over three months ago, shortly after the Blanche Lethbridge case. He was an okay boss, if not a touch chauvinistic. There'd been no hint that he'd been thinking of leaving.

‘We've received a complaint of sexual misconduct,' the chief super said.

Beth groaned. She remembered Craig Stephens dribbling like a baby whenever Leah, the communications officer, entered the building. He's as horny as a tomcat , Beth once remembered thinking. ‘Who complained?' she asked.

‘That's confidential, Beth. You don't seem surprised.'

‘I was aware that he thought himself a ladies' man, but I never saw any sexual misconduct, and he certainly never said anything out of line to me… But he was a bit, well, you know.'

‘This sexual misconduct was quite blatant, and he's been suspended until the complaint is fully investigated. I will make the team aware. However, he has insisted that whatever the outcome of the investigation, he doesn't want to return to this division.'

‘Yes, sir, thanks for letting me know,' said Beth, standing up.

‘Beth, sit down. There's something else.'

Beth swallowed. She somehow felt this wasn't going to be good.

‘Beth, any other time, you know I would have recommended you for the job. I believe you have what it takes to be a good DI, but I've noticed that your personal problems are affecting your work. Your behaviour was unprofessional when you visited Ludbrook Grove. A young lad's mother complained. Luckily for you, she isn't taking it any further.'

Beth was about to protest, but he held his hand up to stop her. ‘You've been late several times. You arrived at court smelling of alcohol last week, and I know you've left early on several occasions when you should have been here.'

Beth's throat turned dry. The chief was waiting for her response, so she attempted to laugh it off. ‘It was a lunchtime drink with a friend. I'd only had one glass of wine. The case was running late.'

‘It's not the first time, Beth, and I understand some personal issues are still ongoing.'

‘I don't have personal issues,' she said sharply. ‘Can I ask who reported me, sir?'

‘You know I can't reveal things like that. You and I know how important it is to be on top of the job. It only takes one mistake for a career to be over. DI Stephens is a clear example of that. I don't want another. I know it's been a challenging year for you, but we have people you can talk to.'

Shit, she couldn't afford to lose her job on top of everything else. ‘I'm fine, sir. I'm on top of the job.'

‘Let's make sure things stay that way, shall we?'

‘Yes, sir,' she said, standing up. ‘Can I ask who the new DI will be?'

He hesitated, looked her in the eye and said, ‘DI Tom Miller.'

Hearing his name brought back an avalanche of memories that made her head spin. ‘Tom Miller?' she repeated, leaning on the back of the chair.

‘I requested him, and he agreed as long as you're happy with the decision. He's been through trauma while on the job, and he understands the personal issues you may be going through.'

Beth's eyes hardened with anger. ‘So you've gone behind my back, just like the first time you took him on. You didn't mind having an alcoholic DI then, did you?' She was raising her voice, but she didn't care.

‘Beth,' Lewis said, leaning across the desk. ‘Are you telling me you're an alcoholic?'

‘Of course not,' she denied hotly, feeling her face grow red. ‘You had no right to talk to him about my private life.'

‘I'll overlook your disrespectful manner, DS Harper, as I can see you are upset, but may I remind you that as head of this department, I have every right,' Lewis said sharply. ‘As chief superintendent, running a tight ship is my job. I can't have officers on my team who will likely make mistakes.'

‘Yes, sir,' she said.

Lewis nodded. ‘That's good. If you have any problems in the future, come straight to me. We can offer help, Beth. Don't struggle alone.'

Beth stood outside his office for a few minutes, her mind whirring. How many of her colleagues knew about the drinking? Had someone reported her leaving early?

‘Shit,' she muttered.

Beth tried to picture Tom Miller and wondered if he had changed much. Then she realised she hadn't asked when he was starting. The anticipation of seeing him again made her body tingle.

The attacks in Stonesend a year ago had changed them all. How could it not have? They had learnt the harsh reality that nowhere you lived was safe, that leaving doors unlocked was foolhardy, and that no one did that anymore. Seeing Tom Miller again was going to feel strange for everyone.