Cross leaned back in his chair. ‘I’ve always said you’re as good as a man short, Brodie. If you need Lucy, take her. Just make sure you bring her back in one piece.’
There was a knock on the door, and DI Lucy Warren appeared, looking professional in a dark suit and carrying a leather portfolio. At six feet tall, she had a commanding presence that served her well in interrogation rooms.
‘Sir, you wanted to see me?’
‘Come in, Lucy.’ Cross gestured to the empty chair. ‘DCI Brodie needs your help with a case in Fife. Serial killer investigation.’
Lucy’s eyes sharpened with interest. ‘The Embalmer case? I’ve been following it in the bulletins.’
‘That’s the one,’ Brodie confirmed. ‘We’re looking at a complex conspiracy, possible cover-up murders, and we need someone with your analytical skills to help piece it together.’
‘Christ, you don’t need to grovel, Liam. I said you could take her,’ Cross said, putting a pen in his mouth as a substitute for a cigarette.
‘When do you need me?’
‘Now, if you’re available. I know it’s short notice?—’
‘That’s fine.’ Lucy’s response was immediate. ‘I’ve been working cold cases for the past month. This sounds more urgent.’
‘It is,’ Brodie said grimly. ‘Pack for a few days. We’re based out of Glenrothes station, but the investigation covers most of Fife.’
‘Pack for a few days?’ Cross said. ‘Is she helping out with a murder or are you two running away together?’
‘I meant notepads and stuff like that,’ Brodie said, his cheeks turning pink.
‘Your face says different.’
‘If we were running away together, we’d just email you an F-you, sir,’ Lucy said.
‘That’s true,’ Cross said, taking the pen out of his mouth. ‘I also assumed Fife didn’t have a shortage of pens and pads.’
‘Let’s get out of here before this goes downhill,’ Brodie said.
‘And remember,’ Cross said, ‘no drinking on duty. Unless you invite me along.’
‘You’ll be our first call, sir,’ Lucy said.
‘Sure,’ Cross said. ‘It’s scary how you lie with a straight face.’
‘Thank you, sir. And I just want to say how fantastic a boss you are.’
‘Oh shut up. Keep the smoke and mirrors for Brodie there.’
Lucy grinned.
After brief logistics discussions with Cross, Brodie and Lucy headed for the car park. They’d take separate vehicles – Lucy would need her own car for the duration of the assignment, and Brodie had equipment in his boot that he’d need for the investigation.
The drive to Glenrothes took them across the Queensferry Crossing, the steel structure gleaming in the morning sun. Brodie led the way, Lucy following in her silver Audi, and theymade good time through the light midday traffic. By the time they pulled into the Glenrothes station car park, it was just after noon.
The incident room was busy when they arrived, officers working phones and computers, the whiteboards covered with photographs and timelines that had grown significantly more complex since Brodie had first arrived. Art McKenzie looked up as Brodie entered, nodded a greeting, then did a double take when he saw Lucy behind him.
‘Reinforcements,’ Brodie announced. ‘Everyone, this is DI Lucy Warren from Edinburgh MIT. Lucy, this is DI Art McKenzie, DS Cameron Reid and DS Freya Munro.’
Handshakes were exchanged, along with the kind of professional assessment that came with meeting new team members. Detective Superintendent Chris Breck emerged from his office, drawn by the commotion.
‘DI Warren, welcome to Fife.’ Breck’s handshake was firm. ‘I hope Brodie warned you about what you’re walking into.’
‘He mentioned it might be complicated, sir.’
