“You heard about that. The Fire Service has paid for the best, so expect a rough ride.”
“I can handle myself. I’ve done a few rounds with Ms. Shapiro before now.”
“I daresay you have,” Gardam answered, breaking out into a broad smile. “Well, let me know how you get on. If she is being deliberately obstructive, I can have another word with Latham. Though the gloves might come off a bit now that we’ve got one of theirs in custody. Does the press know about it?”
“Garanita was there ten minutes after we were.”
Gardam nodded as if he weren’t in the least bit surprised, then made to leave.
“Let me know what you get out of him.”
“Before you go, sir . . .”
Gardam stopped, turned and walked back toward Helen. They were separated now only by the battered desk that Helen had come to know well over the last few years.
“May I speak freely?”
“Of course, Helen, say whatever you want,” Gardam replied, a cloud of concern creasing his features now.
“Well, you seem to be rather... present at the moment. And I was wondering why that was.”
“Present?”
“You’re on my shoulder, sir. If you have any concerns about my work, then I’d rather you were up front about it—”
“Of course not. You know I have a high opinion of you. This is a tricky case, but we’re making progress, so...”
He petered out and the pair of them stood there, framed by Helen’s drab office. Gardam was looking at Helen quizzically as if trying to fathom her, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Is it something else, then?” Helen found herself saying.
“I don’t follow . . .”
“Well, I mean that you seem to be very interested in my personal life—my relationship status and so on—and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to infer from that...”
There was a brief silence, and then Gardam half laughed as the import of Helen’s words dawned on him.
“You think I’mattractedto you?” he said. “Dear God, Helen, is that what’s been worrying you? I’m a happily married man and, believe me, I wouldn’t betray Sarah for all the tea in China.”
“Right,” said Helen, trying to stem the color that was fast rising to her face.
“I’m sure you’re a lovely person, Helen, but it would be grossly unprofessional of me to think of you in that light and I can assure you that I don’t. The only reason I have been so... present... is that I’m trying to be supportive. This is a big case for you, for the team, and it’s my first major investigation as station chief, so...”
“Enough said,” Helen replied. “I’m sorry I raised it.”
“That’s quite all right. You must never feel concerned about being open and honest with me. Trust is a two-way street, Helen.”
“Of course. I’ll endeavor to remember that,” Helen said quickly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better...”
Helen didn’t wait to be dismissed, marching from her office and across the incident room as fast as she could. She just wanted to beaway. She had embarrassed herself in front of her new boss, looking like a foolish schoolgirl in the process. But she had to put that behind her and gather herself. The investigation now stood at a vital crossroads and she had important work to do.
Richard Ford was waiting for her.
67
Charlie clutched Steve’s hand tightly as they approached the nursery. He had urged her to stay at home and rest up, but Charlie had insisted on picking up Jessica today. Pickup time at Grasshoppers Nursery was six p.m. sharp and this was usually Steve’s duty, as the garage he worked at always shut before then. In the face of his resistance, Charlie had argued that she seldom got the chance to see Jessie properly at the end of the day and wanted to take advantage of her “early finish” today. But they both knew this was a lie. In reality, she just wanted to hold her husband and her little girl close and prove to them—and to herself—that she hadn’t gone anywhere.
Charlie had put on a jumper and a woolly hat and smothered her chin in as much foundation as she dared, but she still looked terrible. The color had not returned to her face and she looked like death. Was Steve worrying that her appearance would alarm Jessica? Possibly. And who was to say he was wrong?
