“Look what the fucking cat dragged in,” Manders snarled, snapping his teeth as two other Falkington officers tried to pat him down.
Taylor smiled, ignoring him and turning to Isla. “Afternoon, Sargie. Why so many prisoners?”
Isla flushed, tipping her head in the direction of the back room. As she rose from her seat, Amil sat down behind the desk. Taylor had never pictured him as a custody sergeant, but now that he was there, all stern faced and zero tolerance for bullshit, Taylor thought it suited him perfectly.
“Johnny texted me,” Isla said, keeping her voice low as she opened the door. “Just before he was attacked. He told me about Sylvester’s twin—not that I believed it at first—but I was curious and I wanted a reason to process him.”
Taylor narrowed his eyes, dropping his voice even lower. “I might be a shit officer, but even I know that’s an abuse of our powers. Arresting an entire block of flats just because you’re curious?—”
“Not really.” Isla spoke over him. “According to Wendy three of the assailants ran in the direction of the flats, plus Sylvester’s twin absconded when told to stop by a uniformed officer. Due to the stress of the incident, Wendy couldn’t be sure of what the assailants looked like, so I arrested everyone in the vicinity. Benny Pearce, Sylvester’s alpha twin, just so happened to still be in the flats when we went in.” She grinned. “Falkington are processing him as we speak, and we found quite the haul of Love Dust.”
She held up her phone, showing Taylor a photograph of a bedroom containing at least twice the number of blocks they’d found at Jill’s house.
Taylor blew a whistle from between his teeth. “Drinks are on you later, Sargie. But why are you so interested in Benny Pearce?”
Isla looked at her nails, then back up at Taylor. “Cards on the table, no judgement?”
Taylor nodded. “No judgement.”
“As I’ve said, Sylvester’s DNA profile kept flagging up for the Reuben Atkinson case. The Atkinson case was mine before I leftCID. It was handed over to another DC, but I… I’ve never been able to let it go. I worked so hard to build a rapport with him, even when he went to prison.Especiallywhen he went to prison. I… Can I be honest?”
Taylor nodded again.
“I rushed into becoming a sergeant. I should have waited, seen out the case and then applied for a post.”
“So why did you? If you were that passionate about it.”
Isla sighed. “I… I heard that someone in West Newton… someone else like me passed the promotion board. I thought I should strike whilst the iron was hot, you know? Take the chance whilst there was someone on the board who was tolerant of…” Her words trailed off as she looked at her feet.
“Of?” Taylor said, urging her on.
“Sigmas.”
Taylor slowly let out a breath, letting his eyes trail over her. In some ways it made sense. Why she had been so scared of pissing off the higher-ups. Why she barely had a scent. Why she could be snippy as hell when it suited her.
“Especially unmated ones,” she continued. “Because who the fuck wants to take a chance on a sigma that has no interest in finding a mate to keep them under control, right?”
Taylor hummed. “You don’t want to find a mate?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t. I don’t have an interest in sex. Like, at all. I’d like a companion or something, but nothing romantic.”
“Asexualanda sigma, huh?”
Isla rubbed the back of her neck. “Yep. Bad, right?”
Taylor shook his head. “Not bad, but…damn, girl. I couldnotimagine a life without sex.”
“Alright, PC Campbell,” she said, holding up a hand. “I get it. Don’t you think I want to be like everyone else?”
Taylor gave her an incredulous look. “Why would you want to be like everyone else? We’re all fucked one way or another.”
She laughed, sounding relieved. “Are you sure you’re okay to stay? I know you want to get back to John-Paul, but I could really use the help.”
Taylor nodded. “I’ll stay.”
CHAPTER 20
WELL, SHIT
