‘That’s not true.’
‘I’m afraid it is. She didn’t even know your name.’ I walked to the door. ‘You know, she hasn’t even asked where you are or what’s happened to you. You’ll rot in prison and she’ll go and live her life, and I don’t think she’ll think about you at all.’
I was halfway down the corridor, doing up my buttons when Godley caught up with me. ‘Well done.’
‘For sneering at him?’
‘For getting him to confess.’
‘It wasn’t difficult, was it?’
‘I hadn’t managed it,’ Godley said simply. ‘You did well.’
‘I did my job just the way Derwent and Belcott assumed I would. That doesn’t make me feel brilliant, to be honest with you.’
‘You worked out what that creep needed to hear – and how he needed to feel – to get him to talk. You flattered him. You let him think he was in control. And you’ve probably got the names and locations of three women’s bodies, which is the whole point of what we’re doing here. You’ve given them back to their families. That’s all we can hope to do at this stage, but it’s worth doing well.’
‘Thank you.’ His praise made it so much harder to do what I needed to do, but I had no choice. ‘Can we have that chat now?’
Godley nodded and led the way to his office, standing by the door to shut it after I went in. I waited for him to sit down, then took my place opposite him as I had so many times before.
‘I’m more sorry than I can say about this, but I would like to request a transfer to another team.’
He frowned. ‘Really, Maeve? I didn’t expect you to want to leave, but of course I understand your decision in the light of what’s happened to you since you’ve been working with me.’
‘It’s not that.’ I couldn’t stand to have him think that. ‘I’ve loved every minute of it. I just think it’s time to go. I have personal reasons.’
As you know very well
.
‘If your mind is made up, I will respect your decision, but I hope you’ll think again. I’d be sorry to lose two of you in the space of twenty-four hours.’
‘Two of us?’
‘DC Langton came to see me yesterday and requested a transfer.’
‘Yesterday? I don’t understand—’ I broke off, confused. ‘What did he say? Why is he leaving?’
‘Personal and professional reasons,’ Godley said. As usual, I couldn’t tell what he thought. ‘If you need more details, you’d better ask him.’
I turned and saw Rob on the other side of the office watching us, his arms folded. He was chewing his lower lip, a habit he had when he was on edge. And just like that, I flipped. Rob must have seen the look on my face because when I flung open the door of the office he was already making his way across the room at speed to intercept me.
‘What the hell do you think you’re playing at? Why are you leaving?’ I didn’t bother to keep my voice down even though we were the centre of attention. There didn’t seem to be one of my colleagues who had anything better to do than watch us argue, but I was too angry to care.
‘I have a better offer elsewhere.’
‘Bullshit.’
‘It’s true. My old DI is with the Flying Squad, now at Tower Bridge, and a DS job has opened up on his team. Godley’s put in a good word for me. You know I was waiting for something to come up, and it doesn’t get much better than that.’
I knew he’d been waiting for a sergeant’s job; he had passed the exams months earlier. The Flying Squad dealt with robberies – investigating them and preventing them by pretty much any means necessary. It was full-on, high-pressure stuff and Rob was made for it.
I looked at him dubiously. ‘So this has nothing to do with us.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You love this job. You wouldn’t be leaving if it wasn’t for the fact that we’re involved.’
He thought for a second, then shrugged. ‘Probably not.’
‘And no one would have found out if it wasn’t for me, so I’m the one who should go.’
‘Maeve, stop being stubborn for a second and think about it. I quit yesterday. Before anyone saw the film clips.’
‘So why?’
‘Because I want to do this properly. I don’t want to hide and pretend and lie any more.’ He pulled me into his arms and I let him, though the catcalls that rang through the squad room made my cheeks burn. ‘I want everyone to know.’
‘It’s not a good enough reason to sacrifice your career.’
‘Who’s sacrificing anything? I get promoted, remember? Which makes me senior to you and it would be nice if you could start doing what I say for a change.’
‘No chance,’ I said automatically and he laughed.
‘Didn’t think so.’
‘I still don’t think …’
He shook me, gently. ‘Maeve, just shut up, for once in your life. Believe me, it’s worth it.’
Before I could argue, he leaned in and kissed me. There was a time for fighting and a time for giving in. I ignored the wolf whistles, applause and shouts of ‘get a room’ as I wrapped myself around Rob, all doubts forgotten.
And behind us, a soft clack announced that the superintendent had closed his blinds.
As ever, I am very grateful to a large number of people who helped in the writing of this book.
I would like to thank my agent Simon Trewin and his assistant, Ariella Feiner, for their tremendous support and encouragement, and above all for their entertaining emails. I am also extremely grateful to Jessica Craig, Jane Willis and Zoe Ross, and all at United Agents.
My thanks also to Gillian Green for her excellent editorial judgement, and all of her colleagues at Ebury Press, particularly Caroline Newbury, Ed Griffiths and Susan Pegg. I am always in awe of Justine Taylor’s eagle-eyed copy-editing; it is much appreciated. Thanks also to Donna Condon.
Special thanks to the staff of Earlsfield Library, who provided a pleasant place to work, useful reference material and many distractions – a home from home, in fact.
Friends and family have also played their part and I am eternally grateful to the Caseys, the Hollands, the Kennys and their various offshoots, the Sloanes, the Normans, the Golders and the rest for their kindness and support. Rachel Petty was nice enough to read the manuscript and said all the right things, as usual. Inevitably, she found a loose end for me to tie up, and I appreciate it very much.
Lastly, I must thank Edward, who makes life worthwhile, Fred, who fortunately failed to sabotage the book in any of his lightning raids on my computer, and James, who always knows the answer.
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