Hunting the Silence: The Yorkshire Murders (DI Haskell & Quinn Crime Thriller Series Book 4) by Bilinda P. Sheehan

Author:Bilinda P. Sheehan [Sheehan, Bilinda P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

"I want a word with you, Haskell." The monk's voice carried over the chatter in the office, drawing Drew's attention to his boss stood in the doorway. The monk at least looked like he'd managed to get a full eight hours. By comparison, Drew had caught a glimpse of his reflection in the metal paper towel dispenser in the gents and was horrified by what he'd seen.

Pushing away from the desk he'd commandeered, he made his way slowly toward Gregson's office. As he knocked on the door, Gregson beckoned him inside, his eagle eyed gaze scanning over Drew's appearance.

"You look like shit," Gregson said finally, folding his hands over one another on the desk's surface.

"I feel worse," Drew said, scrubbing his hand down over his rough stubbled cheeks and chin.

"From where I'm sat, I'm not sure that's possible." Gregson arched an eyebrow. "You're the face of this operation. Well, you and DI Appleton. And Melissa is doing an admirable job of looking like someone who has her shit in order." Gregson indicated to the other Detective Inspector who was at that moment moving purposefully through the desks. She slipped into her office space and disappeared from view. "The public need to know that we've got a handle on this, Drew."

"Of course, sir," Drew said. "We contacted the NCA and had them put out a CRA last night." The Child Rescue Alert system was the responsibility of the National Crime Agency, but it was at the disposal of any force in the country, and for that Drew was grateful. Right now they needed every bit of help they could get.

"That's why I called you in here," Gregson said, his expression sombre.

"I thought it was regarding my appearance, sir."

"Unlike you, Haskell, I'm capable of multi-tasking." Gregson spoke drily. "The NCA have offered to send us over some help if we need it."

"That's very generous, sir, but I think we--"

"Sorry, perhaps I wasn't quite clear; the NCA are sending over some analysts to sift through the data coming in." There was no mistaking the edge to the monk's voice as he spoke, and Drew had the distinct impression that they'd all been manoeuvred into a corner that would undoubtably come back to bite them in the arse at a later date.

"That was very generous of them, sir," Drew said, managing to keep his voice measured and devoid of any kind of emotion.

"It was." Gregson sighed. "It's no harm. We're sorely lacking in computer analysts. I've been looking for some new blood to liven this place up, but so far I haven't found anyone who meets the criteria for what we need. With any luck, the NCA will send us someone we can entice to our side of the fence."

"Aren't we all on the same side, sir?"

The derisive noise Gregson made in response took Drew by surprise.

"We should be, but I haven't always had the best of luck with their sort," Gregson said darkly. "Anyway, I wanted to let you know they were arriving—"

"When?"

"Now," Gregson said.

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