Her Last Request by Mari Hannah

Author:Mari Hannah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orion

47

Kate wrote to Aaron asking him to get in touch urgently. The chances of a reply were negligible. She expected it to bounce back undelivered within the hour. It took less than a minute for the “mailbox unavailable” message to ping into her inbox, dissolving her triumph, plunging her into exhaustion once more. She swore loudly, her eyes drifting through her open office door to the ugly images on the murder wall. In protecting her son, Hannah had made it difficult for anyone to find him, including the police.

Kate typed out a long list of actions which she attached to a message to Harry, copying it to Carmichael, asking her to take the reins in the morning until she returned from Shepherd’s Gate with Hank and Jo. She then forwarded Sergeant Wood’s email to both – outlining exactly what she’d discovered – asking them to discuss and delegate the work among the team, adding a note at the bottom . . .

Prioritise the rest of the CCTV, inside and out. I want eyes on it asap. Any updates – call me immediately. K

Before she logged off, Kate noticed that Sergeant Wood had included his mobile number at the bottom of his email. She hesitated, but only for as long as it took her to put on her coat and scarf, grab her car keys and dim the lights.

If I’m up, he’s up.

She left Middle Earth via the rear door, giving him a bell as she walked towards her car. Introducing herself, she apologised for the late call, acknowledging the contribution he’d made to the investigation. Thanks to him, the MIT finally had something to add to the timeline. It took a moment for him to wake up. It was obvious to Kate that he’d been dead to the world when the phone rang.

‘Ma’am, how can I help you?’

She’d rather he drop ma’am for a start. She answered to guv, boss, Detective Chief Inspector or plain old Kate, but now wasn’t the time to be picky. ‘Talk me through your discussion with Gemma Munro.’

‘Yes, of course. What do you need to know?’

‘Everything.’

An email popped into Jo’s inbox. She poured herself a glass of red and sat down to study it, then logged on to a site she hadn’t used in a very long time. As she began to type a reply, she heard footsteps approaching. Quickly, she closed the lid of her laptop.

‘Still at it, Mum?’

She swivelled in her seat to find James standing there. ‘Yeah, I’m helping Kate.’

‘Eyes Only, eh?’ Her son was sharp. Nothing passed him by.

‘Something like that.’

‘Well, if you’re throwing an all-nighter, I’m off to bed. Just wanted to say sorry for that.’ He thumbed toward the badly repaired rear door. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you.’ He bent down, kissing the top of her head. ‘Am I forgiven?’

She smiled. ‘What do you think?’

‘Don’t stay up too late.’

‘I won’t.’ Reaching up, she squeezed his arm gently. ‘Goodnight, love.’

She waited until the coast was clear, until he was upstairs with his bedroom door closed.

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