‘There’s no reason why I couldn’t do it,’ said Stanford. ‘I did a stint in parliamentary and diplomatic protection.’
‘I know that the SCU can often behave as though they’re a law unto themselves but that is not happening,’ Barker said sternly. ‘One of your team is already in the hospital. That should be warning enough.’
‘So, what’s the plan, Henley?’ Ramouter asked as Pellacia led Barker into his office and closed the door. ‘We just can’t sit here waiting for another defendant to end up dead.’
‘I’m very aware of that,’ Henley said, fighting against the waves of exhaustion. The lack of sleep and the energy it took to be strong and not be overwhelmed by not only her emotions and attachment to Ezra but also the rest of the SCU, was taking its toll. She’d had to lock up her emotions when Joanna had broken down in tears when she’d heard the news about Ezra.
‘Stanford, you’re covering the charge of Elliot Fonseka,’ said Henley. ‘I sent over the file to the CPS last night, which means that they’ve got everything they need for a charging decision.’
‘Just to be clear, we’re opposing bail, right?’ asked Stanford. ‘Perverting the course of justice, commission of further offences.’
‘Add fail to surrender. Remember he ran from Copeland. Tell the CPS the clock is ticking, and we want Fonseka in front of a judge this afternoon. Eastwood, you’re happy to stick with the CCTV?’
‘That’s fine. I’ve also just received an email from the OIC who was dealing with the Ferguson acid attack. He’s sent me CCTV footage retrieved from the pub’s external cameras. I’ve got enough to keep me busy.’
‘That just leaves us with Gardner and the Joneses,’ said Henley as she faced Copeland and Ramouter. ‘Copeland, you’re on Gardner. We may not be able to provide him with protection, but we can bloody warn him and also find out if there’s any instances of harassment. Basically, anything that would make him believe his life is at risk.’
‘I’m off to Southwark Crown Court then?’ asked Copeland.
‘Yeah, and you’re also on Mika Fonseka. We asked the bank and her credit card company to alert us if there’s any activity on her cards but—’
‘I’ll chase them,’ said Copeland, gathering her things.
‘So, I take it that we’re dealing with the Joneses,’ asked Ramouter, his eyes fixed on Pellacia’s closed door.
‘We are. The last thing this unit needs is anyone complaining that we sat on our hands and did nothing when we knew people’s lives were at risk but first, you and I need a chat,’ said Henley.
‘Boss, I don’t think that—’
‘I don’t need you to think. Meet me in the old canteen in fifteen minutes.’
Henley joined Ramouter on the old sofa and handed him a cup.
‘More coffee,’ said Ramouter.
‘I doubt that any of us had much sleep,’ said Henley. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Do you want the truth or a lie?’
‘The truth.’
‘And can you not be my boss in this moment?’ Ramouter asked.
Henley sighed with exhaustion and resignation. ‘You get a wild card,’ she said. ‘I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m not upset and that it didn’t scare me to death to see Ezra in that hospital bed. I’ve been asking myself if there was more I could have done to protect Ezra.’
‘It’s not your fault. You didn’t—’
‘Ezra’s my responsibility too and I didn’t do my job. I was the one who took him to the Soteria offices. He wouldn’t have met Kaiden Longley if it wasn’t for me,’ Henley insisted as Ramouter put his head in his hands.
‘He’s just a kid,’ Ramouter said, choking back tears. ‘And he’s a good kid.’
Henley swallowed back her own tears as she gently placed her hand on Ramouter’s back. They sat there silently for a few minutes.
‘Ezra will pull through,’ said Henley.
Ramouter sat up and picked up his coffee. ‘We don’t know that,’ he said angrily.
Henley groaned. ‘Ramouter you need to—’
