Coddling Molly: Gritty crime fiction from Wales (The Welsh crime mysteries Book 5) by Nicola Clifford

Author:Nicola Clifford [Clifford, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: THE BOOK FOLKS bestselling crime fiction
Published: 2022-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-four

Ben was hunkered down in his office sifting through the mound of photographs and documents Molly had gleaned from Heidi’s files. He’d been at it since he clocked on at six that morning and not achieved much. So far he had sorted them into two piles, people and places. He became aware of a presence outside his open door, looked up and saw a large man peering in.

‘DS Jack Trent!’ he said. ‘Well I never. What are you doing here? Julie and the twins OK?’

‘Yes, mate, all well at home, thanks. Heard on the grapevine young Ms Holtz has got herself into a world of shit.’

‘You could say that. Come in and take a seat, we’ve some catching up to do.’

Jack stepped inside, cleared a chair of cardboard files and settled his bulk.

‘So,’ Ben said, ‘how’s Carmarthen?’

Jack grinned. ‘Not as much fun as I thought it would be and Julie wants to move back to the cottage at Llywel, misses her ma and pa I reckon. Now the twins are two, she’s struggling, so doting grandparents are top of the list.’

‘I’ve heard about the terrible twos, thankfully never experienced it.’

‘Trust me, you don’t want to. One would be bad enough, but two? Anyway, I’ve heard you’re a bit short-staffed so I’ve put in for a transfer. Hope you’ll have me back.’

‘Goes without saying, I’d be delighted.’

‘Good to know. Now tell me about Heidi,’ Jack said. ‘Crossed swords with a county line operation I hear.’

‘Yes, in typical Heidi fashion, she went spectacularly off-piste and set herself up as bait. It’s a long story.’

‘I’m not in a rush. Sit tight, I’ll round up some coffee and you can bring me up to date.’

The story needed two mugs of coffee to keep it company and when Ben reached the end, Jack leaned back in his chair.

‘That’s quite a tale, boss,’ he said, ‘and you’re intending to send DC Langdon over to play games with the Met? I’m really not sure that’s a good idea, they’ll eat him alive.’

‘What do you suggest?’

‘Send me. As you know I’ve spent time on the drugs squad, know most of them and I’m a sergeant. They’ll be less likely to give me any grief.’

‘We’ve only been offered a watching brief, information sharing really.’

‘Do you know the name of their undercover officer?’

‘Not yet.’

Jack nodded thoughtfully. ‘Why not have a chat with Charlie Ambrose?’ he asked. ‘Let him take the decision... and the grief if anything goes tits up.’

‘Good idea. I was never overjoyed about sending Ollie. I’ll find out if the boss has time for a chat later. Now, tell me about Julie and the twins. Stacey and I have really missed you, and your hot tub. Be good to have you back in Powys.’

‘Thanks, boss, I was hoping you’d say that.’

* * *

DCI Ambrose welcomed DS Trent with open arms. Ollie Langdon was stood down and the Met was put on notice to expect Jack the following Monday. Ben spent the afternoon in his office with his

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