“Sorry about that. How can I help?”
Sloan stepped closer and bent towards the gap in the glass. Her pulse felt too loud in her throat. “I’m not sure. I think…apparently, there has been some kind of mix up and my…my…” She wanted to say ‘girlfriend’, but it was stuck in her throat. “Sorry. This isn’t… I don’t usually—”
“No problem, take your time,” he reassured.
“Thank you, it’s just, my girlfriend and I were meant to be going to dinner, and she didn’t turn up, and—”
“You can file a missing person report online.”
“No, she’s not missing.”
“Well, I’m not sure relationship issues are our business.”
Sloan shook her head. “No. Please.” She lifted her hands, palms out. “She’s been arrested. And I need to speak with Detective Saint.”
“Right. What’s the name?”
“Sloan Slater.”
He tapped at his computer and pulled his glasses down from his head onto his face but still squinted. “Nope. No Sloan Slater in the—”
“No, I’m Sloan Slater. Sorry, I thought you were asking my name.”
He pursed his lips. “Shall we start again?”
“Matilda Bradford. Matty.”
“Right.” He resumed his search and then sucked his teeth before making an, “ooo,” noise. “Okay,yes, she is here.”
Sloan widened her eyes at him, waiting. “Because?”
“Can’t tell you that.”
“For goodness’ sake. Can I speak to Detective Saint, at least?”
“I can try him, but I’d imagine with this, he might be tied up for a while.”
Sloan’s legs threatened to give. Her heart skipped a beat, and not in a happy, fun way.What the hell was Matty caught up in?
Chapter fifty-six
The clock ticked on towards nine. Sloan took one sip of the vending-machine coffee and left it to go cold. She’d paced, then read every poster on the wall—everything from knife crime statistics to “If you see something, say something” public service announcements. Eventually, she sat in the cleanest-looking plastic bucket chair in the corner. Her knee bounced hard enough to rattle the entire row.
Gloria had called twice; the only bright spot, if she were honest. Her mum was taking an interest—not because she meant to be snarky, but because she was concerned.
It reminded her of life before the stroke, before her dad had passed—days when Gloria had been someone else.
Something Matty had helped bring back.
She let her thoughts roam and couldn’t help the small smile that played on her lips when she thought about Matty. Then doubt crept back in.How well did they actually know each other?
She snapped out of it when the door opposite her opened and a balding Black man in a sharp suit stepped out and looked around. He was neat and composed, jaw dark with stubble that was well on its way to being a beard.
Everything about him said ‘detective’.
Sloan watched as he spoke with the duty officer, then glanced at her and turned back to him before nodding and finally turning to walk towards Sloan.
Sloan straightened her posture on instinct, smoothing her skirt as he approached.
