Diamond Dust

'Be serious, Peter. This looks like a contract killing. The first line of enquiry has to be your enemies in the criminal world. He's going to want a list of everyone you put away, every villain you crossed since you came here. Your evidence is going to lead us to the killer, and the people behind the killer if - as I suspect - they hired a hitman. You can't be the investigating officer and chief prosecution witness as well.'

The truth of that got through to him, but it still denied him what every sinew in his body was straining to begin: the pursuit of Steph's killers. 'What am I supposed to do? Take a holiday?'

'You'll be involved, providing information. Oh, of course you should take time off to get over the shock.'

'What - sit at home with my feet up, surrounded by memories of Steph? That isn't any use to you or me. I want a part of the action.'

'If you'd like counselling . . .'

'Don't push me, ma'am.'

'I mean it. You've got to rebuild your life. We have trained people we can call on. Why refuse?'

'Because I sort out my own sodding problems, thanks very much. I don't want time off and I don't want to see a counsellor.'

'When you have a chance to reflect, you may see the sense of it.'

'I think not.'

'Well, I'm going to insist you take a couple of days at least. You can forget our conversation this morning.'

He had forgotten it already.

'About organised crime,' she reminded him, 'and going to Bristol. You'll need to be here when Curtis wants you for interviews. And, anyway, you can't investigate the Carpenters.'

'Why not? Have they become a protected species?'

'It would prejudice the case - if they're behind this ghastly crime.'

'So I'm sidelined.'

'I wouldn't put it that way. Take it day by day. I've asked you to take some time off. You'll need it, believe me. And in the meantime, let's hope for quick results from Curtis McGarvie.'

'That's it, then?'

Georgina nodded.

When he'd almost left the room, Georgina said, 'Peter.'

He swung around. 'Mm?'

'Don't defy me.'

5

People in shock are liable to come out with extreme statements. Steph's sister, when Diamond phoned her with the news, said, 'I knew something like this would happen. I told her she was making the biggest mistake of her life marrying a policeman. She wouldn't listen.'

'Are you saying it's my fault she was killed?'

'Well, it wouldn't have happened if you'd been a schoolteacher.'

With an effort he restricted himself to, 'Maybe we should talk again when you're over the shock.'

'She was my sister and I'd say it again.' Then she softened enough to ask, 'How will you manage? Do you want us to come down?'

Like the plague. 'No need.'

'We'll have to come anyway for the funeral. When is it?'

'She only died this morning.'

'So you don't have it arranged?'

'No.'

'You'll tell us the minute it's fixed?'

'I'll be in touch.'

The prospect of a funeral hadn't fully entered his mind until now. Steph's funeral, for pity's sake.

Unreal.

He spent the next hour making more calls to family and friends, and there were repeated offers of help. Genuine offers, too. Steph had been held in high regard - no, lovedwas the word. Her friends wanted to rally round for her sake. He was under no illusion that they had any strong affection for him. Politely he turned down all the offers, saying he would cope.

Then he called the nick and asked Halliwell what had been happening.

'We found two bullets, guv. Used a metal detector, like you said. They've been taken away by forensics. One of them is in fair shape. The other was a bit flattened, as if something drove over it.'

'Christ. How about cartridges?'