‘That is exactly what you’re saying and you’re right. I spend more time deflecting cannons than doing what I was trained to do.’
‘You’ve really got a thing with the war metaphors today, haven’t you?’
‘What can I say, they’ve put me in that kind of mood. So, you’re good with this plan?’
‘I could say that I’m not,’ Eastwood answered with a laugh. ‘But I’m not prepared to let them take down the SCU without a good fight.’
5
‘I cannot believe they let that evil woman go free!’ Joanna said, dumping a file on Henley’s desk. ‘It’s diabolical and unbelievable. Didn’t you say anything?’
‘I’m thrilled about it. I want to take her out to dinner,’ Henley snapped, folding her coffee-stained shirt and blazer into the plastic bag on her desk.
‘There’s no need to be sarky.’
‘Jo, if you knew the day that I’ve had …’
‘I saw the day that you had. Your little kick-off outside court was all over the news. And to really make your day, Fox-Carnell will be recording an exclusive interview to be shown onNewsnighttonight and will be onGood Morning Britaintomorrow.’
‘Tell me that you’re taking the mick,’ said Stanford who was perched on Eastwood’s empty desk.
Jo tutted and slowly shook her head, ‘Detective Sergeant Paul Stanford,’ she said in a tone that you would normally use for chastising a small disobedient child. ‘When have you ever known me to take the mick?’ She picked up the carrier bag on Henley’s desk.
‘Point taken.’
‘Right,’ said Jo brightly. ‘I’m off to the post office and I’ll drop this off at the dry cleaners on my way but, one more thing: I don’t want you thinking that you did anything wrong in court today. No matter what that evil cow says on the telly tonight.’
‘I’m not thinking that.’ Henley watched Ramouter making a cup of tea in the kitchen area. ‘She’s only out because her parents are crazy enough to put up a hundred grand.’
‘It’s a parent’s love, innit?’ said Stanford as Jo walked out. ‘Who’s to say that any of us wouldn’t do the same thing if that was our kid. Fast forward ten or fifteen years and it’s, God forbid, Emma sitting in a prison cell. Wouldn’t you do everything to get her out?’
Henley chewed her lower lip not wanting to give voice to her answer. Yes, she would do everything and anything for her daughter, but she was unsure whether her love for her daughter would override the pursuit of justice.
‘I promise you that she’ll end up back inside. She’s evil. She’s a monster and she’ll get what’s coming to her.’
Ramouter finally made his way to his desk and asked, ‘Are you ready for a catch up, boss?’
‘I haven’t had a chance to go through the progress report for our home invasions investigation,’ Henley said. She scratched absentmindedly at a mosquito bite on her elbow. ‘I’m hoping that your day has been more productive than mine.’
‘I’m not sure if it’s been productive but it’s definitely been interesting.’ Ramouter reached into his pocket and pulled out his notebook. ‘We had a lot of units referring their aggravated burglary cases to us. The majority of them didn’t fit the modus operandi of our home invasions, except this one case in Dulwich.’
‘Is that where you were this morning?’
‘Aye. On paper it fits so the guv asked me to assess the crime scene and speak to the OIC.’
‘And does it belong on the board?’ Henley asked. They walked towards the two whiteboards. On the first board was a map where red magnets had been placed on twelve different aggravated home invasion locations in South London and the outskirts of East London. The MO for each home invasion was the same. They took place on either a Wednesday or Thursday between 1 a.m.and 3 a.m.. The occupants were grabbed from their bed, stripped to their underwear and tied up. Each victim was then locked in either their bedroom, bathroom or a cupboard. Jewellery, money, computers and bank cards were stolen.
‘This is the thing.’ Ramouter approached the map, picked up a yellow magnet and placed it on Dulwich Village. ‘I’m not convinced that this belongs to us. It’s nasty but it doesn’t fit.’
‘Explain to me why.’
‘Our home invasions have all the elements of a traditional aggravated burglary. Entry as a trespasser with an intention to commit theft, possession of a firearm or other offensive weapon and every home was ransacked.’
‘What’s the problem with this burglary, other than it taking place on a weekend? This happened last night, right?’
‘Possibly. There was an incident recorded just after midnight, but the exact timing of the burglary hasn’t been confirmed. The problem is that nothing was stolen. Also, this Dulwich burglary was too violent.’
Henley stepped back and faced Ramouter. ‘How can an aggravated burglary be too violent?’ she asked.
