6 Ripley Avenue by Noelle Holten

Author:Noelle Holten [Holten, Noelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008525323
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Forty

Jeanette

Jeanette waited for Helen to leave before expressing to DS Brady how she really felt about everything that had just been said.

‘Why is this happening? What a bloody mess.’ Head down, she rubbed her temples.

‘Sounds about right.’ The detective tapped his notebook on his knee. ‘I should probably have a word with Anwar again, don’t you think?’

Jeanette lifted her head slowly. ‘What for? There could be a totally innocent explanation for why he went off with Mark York. A little gossip from a woman who’s been determined to shut this place down doesn’t mean there’s any truth to what she said.’ Even as she said it, she knew the detective was right. ‘Give me a second, I’d like to check something…’ She stepped outside her office. Looking at the large whiteboard to the left of her door which updated her staff’s daily whereabouts, her heart sank. She popped downstairs and called out, ‘Anyone know where Anwar is?’

Heads shook.

‘When he returns, can you tell him I need to speak with him right away?’

Heads nodded.

Jeanette sighed as she hurried back up the stairs and returned to her office.

‘So…’ The detective looked up at her.

‘No meetings on the board but that doesn’t mean what you’re thinking it does – sometimes things pop up at the last minute.’ As far as Jeanette was concerned, until she spoke to her deputy manager this conversation was over. In fact, she should direct the detective to speak to the communications department at head office. This was way above her pay grade. ‘Don’t you have somewhere else to be? I don’t want to keep you from any more serious matters.’

‘Like I said, I want to speak with Anwar, if you don’t mind?’ DS Brady crossed his legs and Jeanette hid her frustration at how comfortable he was making himself in her office.

‘Actually, I do mind. There’s no evidence he’s committed any crime and if there are concerns after I speak with him, I’ll be sure to contact the police, as per our protocol. He’s a probation officer, and he could very well be attending a meeting with someone he supervises. You can’t seriously believe he’s involved in selling drugs.’ She shuffled through the pile of paperwork sitting on her desk. ‘I really need to get back to work and won’t be able to concentrate with you staring at me.’

‘Before I go, is he Mark’s allocated officer?’ She watched as DS Brady flipped through his little notebook and stopped at a page that looked to Jeanette like it had some sort of list on it. ‘Only, my notes show that he isn’t.’

Jeanette shifted in her seat. She really didn’t like where this conversation was heading. ‘I don’t think I owe you any explanation on that front, detective. You of all people should know that when a priority pops up, we can’t always wait for the allocated officer to respond. This is a high-risk hostel – urgent matters crop up at the last minute on a daily basis. I’ll ask you one more time, what exactly are you implying?’

The detective stood.

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