The Cold Case (DI Alex Finn) by Will Shindler

Author:Will Shindler [Shindler, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781529383874
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2023-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

‘Believe it or not, Culley’s quite well regarded at senior levels,’ said Skegman as they made their way out.

‘I know the type,’ spat Paulsen. ‘Good with flow charts and presentations but all the people skills of a rusty spanner.’

Skegman looked over his shoulder – as usual, discretion wasn’t her watchword.

‘Mattie – some effort to keep your voice down would be good. Unless you’re determined to flush the final fragments of what laughably might be called my career prospects down the toilet.’

She looked at him sheepishly and nodded.

‘So, what did you make of that?’ she said.

Skegman made an upside-down smile.

‘Not much more than I expected. Culley’s a man on an upward trajectory – give it another couple of years and I reckon he’ll be in the frame for the commissioner’s job. If they did fuck up in 2009, one way or another he won’t be allowing that to stain his reputation.’

‘You didn’t think he was hiding anything, then?’

They’d reached the steel turnstiles at the exit and Skegman peered out through the vast glass frontage. It had stopped snowing again, but there was a strong wind blowing across the murky grey waters of the Thames.

‘No, I wasn’t getting that vibe. More damage limitation, I’d say – he just wanted to shut down even the possibility that the problem might track back to him. It doesn’t really help us – or Alex – right now.’

They walked out across the concourse towards the car park and Paulsen pulled her coat tightly around her as the cold cut through. It felt like it was going right into her bones.

‘I think Vanessa’s right,’ she said. ‘The only explanation that makes sense is that Jemma stumbled on to something. Either Red Tide or someone similar – and Knox also knew who that person was.’

‘So let’s focus on that,’ said Skegman.

‘It’s embarrassing though, isn’t it?’ said Paulsen. ‘I mean I don’t want to agree with that man back there – but how could she have found out something we missed?’

‘Because we weren’t looking in the right areas before, and we are now. There’ll be plenty of time later to analyse all that. Put your energies into finding the killer first.’

They’d reached Skegman’s car. He unlocked the door and they both climbed inside. Paulsen sighed as she buckled up.

‘I just feel like I’m letting the DI down. We’re nowhere near to making an arrest and we just don’t know what’s going through Lee Ellis’s mind,’ she said.

‘You can’t think like that,’ said Skegman. ‘You’re searching for a magic bullet to end this, but police work doesn’t work to order – you know that. You’re not doing anything wrong; in fact, you’re doing everything the way Alex would.’

She looked at him, allowing some rare insecurity to show on her face.

‘Really?’

He nodded.

‘All that anal-retentive, buttoned-up, methodical bollocks of his must have rubbed off on you.’

Paulsen smiled.

‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

He made no effort to start the car and his own expression turned more serious.

‘People think I’m done, Mattie. That I’m just serving out time now.

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