A Good Death by Chris Collett

Author:Chris Collett
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781780108322
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2016-09-16T04:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

When Millie had gone, Mariner phoned Fiona Fleetwood to apprise her of the situation. She took it calmly, as he’d known she would, but he could hear the strain in her voice. He then checked in with Gerry Docherty that the situation there was ongoing. All this meant that Mariner left the building late enough to walk out with Superintendent Sharp. ‘How did Millie take it?’ she asked him.

‘She’s fine,’ said Mariner. ‘She knows how it works.’

‘Always good to keep the overtime down too,’ said Sharp, with a wry smile. ‘And is Bingley settling in?’ she asked.

‘Who?’

‘Kevin Bingley, from uniform.’

‘Bingley? Pete Stone told me his name was Brown,’ said Mariner.

‘I think that might be Stone’s little joke.’ Sharp waited.

It took Mariner several seconds, as finally he managed to pinpoint the constable’s accent. ‘Oh I get it,’ he said. ‘Newcastle Brown. Hilarious. But why hasn’t he corrected us? We’ve all been calling him that.’

‘I’m guessing he’s just keeping his head down,’ said Sharp. ‘And is he working out?’

‘Seems to be,’ said Mariner. ‘He’s done everything that’s been asked of him so far, and more.’

‘Good,’ said Sharp. ‘Perhaps we can hold on to him after all.’

‘Meaning?’

‘I understand he was thinking about a transfer before he came up to CID,’ said Sharp.

‘Really, why?’

‘Getting sick of being Pete Stone’s whipping boy. I’m glad he’s found his way to your team.’

‘What is it between him and Stone?’ asked Mariner.

‘I’m sure he’ll tell you if and when he wants to.’ They’d come to the car park. ‘Anyway, have a good weekend, Tom. Try to switch off.’

Mariner laughed. ‘That’s rich coming from you.’

‘Yeah, all right.’

On the drive home Mariner realised he’d heard nothing from either Manor Park or the QE, both of which he took to be positive signals. He spent the evening at home. Although he looked forward to seeing Suzy, they had long given up on trying to share the narrow bed in her student room. In addition, the kitchenette in the postgrad block was quite inadequate and there was nowhere to sit, so, by mutual unspoken agreement, Friday nights had become their own. But first thing on Saturday morning Mariner drove over to the university, with an OS map on the seat beside him, and an idea for where they could have lunch. Suzy greeted him with her usual enthusiasm, but looked tired; the strain of getting to know a whole bunch of new colleagues and working procedures telling. Mariner couldn’t imagine it; it was something he hadn’t done for a very long time.

‘You look as if you need a break,’ he said. He had to raise his voice above the rowdy group of students who chose that moment to pass by. ‘I thought we’d have a walk and find a good Warwickshire pub for something to eat.’

‘I like the sound of that,’ said Suzy. ‘Just give me a minute.’ She disappeared into the tiny bathroom.

‘So how’s the first week been?’ Mariner called after her as he sat down on the bed.

‘Good. I’m going to like it,’ came the reply.

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