‘No, it wasn’t. It was his partner, Phil,’ said Stanford.
Eastwood rolled her eyes. ‘Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum,’ she said.
‘The point is, according to him, Copeland isn’t averse to throwing her colleagues under the bus to get what she wants,’ said Stanford as Pellacia returned to his own seat next to Eastwood and picked up his pint. ‘Whether that’s a result or to be lead on a case.’
‘Why do I get the feeling you three are conspiring,’ said Pellacia.
‘Us three. Conspire? Never, guv,’ said Stanford.
Henley tuned out as Stanford, Eastwood and Pellacia talked about a new piece of gossip that had made it to his ears. She couldn’t help but feel unsettled as she watched how Copeland was interacting with not just Ramouter, but with Ezra. There was a smugness about her that Henley didn’t like.
‘Copeland,’ Henley called out as she nudged Stanford to get out of her way. ‘Do you mind stepping out for a bit?’ she said with a smile.
Copeland looked up with clear suspicion in her eyes. ‘Of course, guv,’ she finally said.
‘What are you doing, Anj?’ Pellacia hissed.
‘It’s fine,’ said Henley, picking up her drink. ‘I’ll bring her back in one piece.’
‘Is everything all right, guv?’ Copeland asked. She pulled the sleeves of her jumper over her hands, protecting herself against the chill.
‘I know that joining the SCU can be a bit of a baptism of fire,’ Henley said, making it clear that she was not going to answer Copeland’s question.
‘I can’t say I’m not surprised with how intense it’s been, but that’s not to say I can’t handle it.’
‘No one is saying that you can’t handle it, but it’s the way you’ve handled it.’
‘Is this about the Ben Trezeguet interview?’ Copeland asked in a manner that suggested she’d been preparing for the conversation. ‘Did Ramouter say something?’
‘No, DC Ramouter hasn’t said a word,’ Henley lied, feeling an overwhelming wave of protectiveness towards her partner. ‘I’m the SIO so I’m going to be reviewing everything, which includes watching the interviews conducted by my team.’
‘I don’t think I did anything wrong. I asked the right questions,’ Copeland said defensively.
‘Anyone reading the transcript will probably agree but it’s different when you see it. You went in too hard and you revealed sensitive information about the scalping to a man who makes his living by trespassing on crime scenes and talking about it on YouTube. You risked undermining not only yourself but also DC Ramouter. You don’t get a prize for being the loudest one in the room or for breaking down a witness.’
‘Ben Trezeguet was a suspect not a—’
‘Copeland, two things. Learn how to adapt to changes and second, learn to take advice. Understood?’
Copeland nodded reluctantly.
‘Good,’ said Henley as she finished her drink. ‘It’s my round. Red wine for you?’
‘Yes,’ Copeland replied flatly as she followed Henley back into the pub.
Ramouter searched his jacket pockets and came up empty. ‘Bollocks,’ he said. His phone was definitely not there. The last time he could remember using his phone was when he’d shown Stanford his fantasy football stats in the pub. He felt lost. There was no way of calling Michelle to check if she and Ethan’s train had arrived at Euston Station.
‘Oh, shut up,’ Ramouter said to the chirping budgie on his way back to the kitchen. He was cutting cucumbers when there was a loud knocking on the flat door.
He left the kitchen, knife still in hand, and opened the front door.
‘Wow, I’ve never seen someone look so surprised in my life,’ Copeland said with a laugh. She pulled out her hair from under the collar of her parka. ‘Also, word of advice from one copper to another. Maybe you shouldn’t answer the door with a huge knife in your hands.’
Ramouter looked down at his hand. ‘Sorry. I wasn’t … what are you—’
Copeland held up her hands mockingly and laughed. ‘Don’t panic. I’m not stalking you. I convinced Eastwood to give me your address, not that she made it easy for me and the main door was already open.’
‘Right,’ Ramouter said, still confused as to why Copeland was at his flat.
