There was simply too much smoke for there not to be a fire. Charlie seemed innocent. Hand on heart, Mark had put up a convincing case too. And Simon Ashworth had been so compelling in his account. It all pointed to Whittaker’s guilt. But Helen knew that senior officers were very seldom hung out to dry publicly. And it was even less likely in this case, as the investigation that he had compromised was so sensational. These corruption cases tended to drag on behind very closed doors for months, even years. And what was the betting that at the end of it he would be pensioned off without any real censure or punishment? Helen hated the realpolitik of it all.
The process would take time to play out, but two things were immediately apparent. First, that Helen would take over Whittaker’s role in an acting capacity. And second, that she wanted Mark back on the team.
***
Helen took a deep breath and rang his bell. This wasn’t going to be easy, but there was no time for hesitation. Charlie was still chasing down Louise Tanner, there was no sign of Stephanie Bines and they were no closer to ending this nightmare. She needed all her best people round her.
“Come on, come on,” Helen muttered as she listened for signs of life. A minute ticked by. Then another. She was about to cut her losses and go when she heard someone fumbling with the lock. She turned just as the door swung open to reveal Mark. Or what was left of him at least.
He was a sorry sight. Unshaven, red eyed and unsteady on his feet. A daytime drinker with nothing—or no one—to make him stop. He was wearing a tracksuit, but exercise was not in the cards. He had shut down. Helen felt a pang of regret. She had offered to save Mark, then driven him to the bottle once more. He stared at her with a mixture of surprise and contempt, so Helen jumped straight in:
“Mark, we’ve been through too much together for me to beat around the bush or try to dress things up, so I’m just going to say it straight. I know that you are innocent of everything I threw at you. I know I fucked up big-time. And I want you back on the team straightaway. If you don’t have the energy or can’t face being in the same room as me, I would understand, but I want to find a way to get you back in—you’re too talented a copper to be thrown on the scrap heap. I was wrong. But I’ve nailed the right guy now and I want to make amends.”
A long silence. Mark looked stunned. Then:
“Who?”
“Whittaker.”
Mark whistled, then laughed. He was incredulous.
“We don’t know yet if it was a financial relationship with Mickery or a romantic one, but I’m totally convinced it was him. He lied about his alibi, pressured other officers to lie... It’s a big mess.”
“So who’s taking over?”
“I am.”
“Well, congratulations.”
He had been polite until now, but the first hints of sarcasm were creeping in.
“I know I upset you, Mark. I know I betrayed our... friendship. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I did it all for the right reasons. I just got it wrong. Badly, badly wrong.”
She drew breath, then carried straight on.
“But things have developed and I need you back. I know now that the killer is motivated by a personal hatred of me. We’re getting closer, Mark, but I need your help to get me over the line.”
She swiftly explained the situation—the victims, the commendations. Mark took it all in, passively at first, but then slowly he ventured questions, becoming more and more engaged in the narrative. The old instincts were awakening, Helen thought to herself.
“Have you told the rest of the team? That I’m innocent,” Mark fired back, wresting the initiative from Helen.
“Charlie knows. I’ll tell the others later today.”
“That’s the veryminimumthat has to happen before I will even think about what you’ve said today.”
“Of course.”
“And I want you to apologize. I know you’re not very good at tha—”
“I’m sorry, Mark. Truly, truly sorry. I should never have doubted you. I should have listened to my instincts. But I didn’t.”
Mark stared at her, surprised by the comprehensive nature of her apology.
“I know I drove you to this, but I want to make amends. Clean yourself up and help us catch her. Please.”
He wouldn’t commit there and then. Helen knew he wouldn’t, though there was a part of her that was hoping he might. Instant forgiveness is always desirable, if not very probable. So she left him pondering and got back on the job. Had she left it too late to repair the damage? Time would tell.
89
