“Moi,” Maria said, her warm voice reminding Elea of home.
Elea returned the greeting to the woman she wished she had never had reason to meet, but whom she now considered a friend. She sat on the office chair, watching Kelly talk to Ollie, who was standing at the printer.
Elea slipped easily into Finnish, appreciating the privacy it offered, as Maria asked how she was. “I’m good. Very good. We’re making real headway on the case.” Her tone was calm and carried a hint of satisfaction.
“You know,” Maria started, her voice thoughtful, “I was standing here at my easel and this feeling came over me. I can’t quite explain it. But now I’ve spoken to you, I think that’s what it was. I felt your excitement. Well done.”
Elea smiled. So that was why she had rung. Maria was very in tune with her feelings. “I can’t share the details yet, but—”
“I trust you,” Maria interrupted gently. “I know you’re doing everything you can. Take care of yourself, OK?”
Elea chuckled softly. “Have you been speaking to my mother?”
Maria laughed, a sound that put Elea at ease. “I’m old enough tobeyour mother. Listen to her—her concern comes from a place of love. There’s nothing quite like the mother-and-daughter bond.” She continued to talk about the importance of family, and Elea checked her watch. She needed to get back to work.
Kelly glanced in her direction before returning to her desk. She had been tasked with liaising with outside forces to identify any cases that shared similarities with Operation Turnstile. Long-winded and tedious work. There were so many incidents of missing children in England, it was a huge task to tap into them all. In the UK more than 100,000 children were reported missing every year. But the numbers were mercifully fewer for children who went missing long-term, under 2,000 each year. But Elea sensed that Kelly was looking in the wrong direction. It was near misses with strangers that she should be researching; they needed to find the lucky ones who could provide details about their suspect. Elea made a mental note to have a word with Kelly later on. She pulled at the collar of her shirt. The air was too stale. She got up and opened the window and was met with a collective groan.
“I’ll let you go,” Maria said, picking up on the shift in Elea’s attention. “I know when I’ve lost my audience.”
“Sorry,” Elea apologised. “I’m listening. I’ll have news soon.”
“I’m teasing, dear. Get back to work, but take care of yourself, too, yes?”
“And you,” Elea said, before ending the call. Her head turned as the window was slammed shut. Kelly. Elea ground her back teeth. She strode over to Kelly’s desk. “Come with me, please.”
Kelly rolled her eyes. “What is it? I’m busy.”
What was wrong with this woman? Elea had always been respected by her team. She was not used to having to ask twice. She spoke on the inhale, forcing a patient smile. “It’s important.”
Kelly’s expression relayed her annoyance as she followed Elea into an empty office used to assist witnesses in identifying offenders on the police database. It was a small but private space and Elea closed the door behind them.
“What’s with the attitude?”
“There’s nothing wrong withmyattitude, thank you. I’m busy. Why have you called me in here?”
“We’re supposed to be working together as a team. So I’ll ask you again: What’s the problem? Spit it out.”
A pink flush spread up from the base of Kelly’s neck. Her lips thinned.
“It’s OK to speak your mind, Kelly. If you have a problem with me, say so, instead of acting like a child.”
“I don’t like your little digs,” Kelly replied, resting one hand on her hip. “Acting like you’ve swept in here to save the day. I work hard, and you’re not my boss.”
“I never said I was.”
“You bloody well act like it!” Kelly’s voice rose a notch. She stopped herself. Took a breath.
Elea bit back a smile. “Are you finished?”
Kelly nodded, perhaps worried that she had overstepped the mark. Word had clearly got out. People knew Elea was married to their boss.
“I’ll take on board what you said. You’ve got realsisu, you know that?”
“Sisu?”
“It’s hard to explain, but it’s in you. Grit. Determination. If you put your fighting spirit into the case instead of resenting me, there’s no reason we can’t work well together. You know I have a vested interest, right?”
Kelly nodded, her eyes downcast. “The hours we’ve worked to get those girls home...I’ve not seen my mum in a month.”
