Case One by Chris Ould

Author:Chris Ould [Ould, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409547297
Publisher: Usborne Publishing

22.

MORNINGSTAR RD STATION

INCIDENT ROOM

16:43 HRS

“He’s charm on a stick, isn’t he?”

DI Connors pressed a button on the remote and stopped the playback of Alford’s interview.

“Can’t nick him for that though.” She gestured at the whiteboards. “Can’t nick him for this, either.”

“Sure?” Woods asked.

“Has Ashleigh come round?”

“No.”

“So there’s no complainant and there’s no firm evidence of rape or even attempted rape. Assault… Maybe. Just. – No, not even that.”

“Okay,” Woods said, accepting it. “Just wanted to be sure.”

Holly took a half-step forward.

“Ma’am – she did have scratches on her thighs. And if she hadn’t been scared of Alford, trying to get away from him, I don’t think she’d have left her coat, shoes and bag in the bin shelter.”

She looked to Woods for confirmation, but when she saw his expression she knew she’d made a mistake.

“If Alford made the scratches,” Connors said. “If he did so intending harm rather than in the heat of passion when he tried to feel her up. If she left the shelter in fear rather than in a hurry to catch the Number 10 bus. If—”

But clearly she’d got tired of the ifs and waved it all away before turning back to DS Woods.

“Send him home. We’ve got his statement. If things change we can go back to it, but we’re not going to get anything else until or unless Ashleigh tells us what was going on. Pack this up till Monday. We’ll need to see what it’s done to the budget, too. Now, I’m going home to cook. And it’s not risotto: it’s poached salmon, new potatoes, mixed salad and dressing. Eight thirty. Don’t be late.”

“Not with that menu,” Woods said.

Connors nodded, then turned to leave. As she did so she gestured Holly to go with her. They went as far as the corridor before Connors stopped again and turned to her.

“Just so you know: initiative’s one thing; trying to run before you can walk is another. Right?”

The flat put-down was even harder than Holly had expected.

“Yes, ma’am. I didn’t mean to—”

“There aren’t any short cuts, okay?” the DI said, cutting her off. “I don’t like the TPO scheme. I think you’re all too young for the job, even if you are supposed to be potential high-fliers. There’s a time and a place for training and in my opinion CID isn’t it – and we don’t need a mascot. You understand what I’m saying?”

“I—” Holly started to say, then bit her tongue. “Yes, ma’am,” she said.

Connors nodded. “Right, as long as we’re clear,” and she headed away.

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