‘They’ll be no different to any drug addict looking to recreate the buzz of their first high.’
‘Nothing ever beats that first rush.’
‘Imagine how frustrating that must be. Expecting the next scalp to placate you but instead you’re left wanting,’ Mark said, his face stern. ‘There will come a point when taking their victim’s scalp won’t be enough and they’ll make sure that they punish whoever gets in their way.’
Henley clasped her hands to the back of her neck and raised her head. She knew better than to underestimate a killer. ‘They’re going to want more,’ she said. ‘They’ll come for us.’
Mark looked back at the station. ‘And they’ll want you to suffer,’ he said.
37
‘Guv, can I have a word?’
Pellacia looked up to see DC Copeland standing at his door. She looked pensive but also irritated.
‘I won’t take up much of your time. I can see you’ve got a lot on.’ Copeland stepped further into Pellacia’s office and placed her hands on the back of the chair.A lot onwas an understatement. Pellacia’s desk was overrun with copies of the investigation reports and statements from the cases that Eastwood had flagged as possible serial crimes.
‘Close the door and take a seat,’ Pellacia said, sticking a green Post-it note on a woman’s statement alleging that her partner’s kidneys had been harvested.
‘I’ve always prided myself on being someone who doesn’t let their personal feelings get in the way. I get on with the job,’ said Copeland once she’d sat down. ‘My priority has always been to do the best job I can.’
‘I can hear a but,’ said Pellacia.
‘I only joined the SCU yesterday, and I understand that it can take time to fit in. To work out how a team moves and breathes.’
‘I’m still waiting for the but,’ said Pellacia as an email alert from Henley popped up on his computer screen.
Copeland pursed her lips and briefly closed her eyes, looking as though she was struggling internally with a decision. ‘I’m notin the habit of making complaints, but the fact is that I’m being stopped from doing my job.’
‘Excuse me?’ Pellacia asked. He leaned forward folding his arms on his desk.
‘I’ve been a DC for nearly four years. You know my history. I worked in the rape and serious sexual offences unit for two years and then I moved to homicide and major crimes. By the end of the year, I plan to sit my sergeant exams. The point is, guv, it may only have been a day but I’m not a probationary officer. I know how to do my job, but Inspector Henley isn’t allowing me to do it. She’s treating me like I’m a fifteen-year-old on work experience.’
Pellacia let the silence sit as he resisted the urge to immediately jump to Henley’s defence.
‘So, you are making a complaint?’ he asked. ‘One day in.’
‘No, no,’ Copeland said defensively, turning around as though checking that she wasn’t being observed through the window in the door. ‘I’m not here to rock the boat, but, guv, earlier after you’d left, when Henley did the briefing, she shot me down. I’ve been an SIO in a case before.’
Pellacia raised his eyebrows.
‘Obviously not a murder investigation and definitely not something like this but I know how to work a major crime and the first thing you do, as an SIO, is to explore investigative strategies, provide investigative focus, co-ordinate, support and—’
‘I really don’t need you to quote sections of the major crime and investigation manual at me,’ Pellacia said.
‘The authorised professional practice for policing states that investigators need to be open to the ideas and experiences of others,’ Copeland said determinedly. ‘Inspector Henley should consult with her colleagues. Me, DS Stanford, Ramouter and Eastwood when trying to identify the most appropriate action to take in any given case.’
‘You said it wasn’t a complaint, but this is sounding very much like a complaint.’
Copeland shook her head. ‘I’m not complaining. Just stating a fact.’
Pellacia picked up a notebook and began to make notes in the hope that the lack of eye contact would stop Copeland from digging a deeper hole for herself.
‘Inspector Henley completely dismissed the enquiries I’d made that would progress the investigation, she talked down to me, embarrassed me in front of the team. I’m doing admin that, with all due respect, Joanna could do.’
Pellacia rubbed at his temple. ‘Explain the admin part,’ he said.
‘Cross referencing CRIS reports instead of going out there and speaking to important witnesses.’
