“That’s the conclusion I’ve come to.”
“In that case, my advice would be to get the other departments involved, Organised Crime, Vice even. Let’s get these fuckers off the streets and quickly.”
“That’s our intention. We haven’t had much luck with the information we’ve received so far, sir. Patrick, something that came to my attention yesterday was that Ethan Johnson’s wife died in a suspected accident a couple of years ago. His father seems to think there was more to it than that. Delve into it for me, see what you can dig up. I also have some questions about Thatcham’s wife. Stephen, do some research into her background. She was livid when we told her there was a female aboard the boat. I’m not sure if she knew he was having an affair or not. Let’s just say her reaction to the news of her husband’s death didn’t sit well with me.”
“I’ll see what I can find out, boss,” Stephen replied.
“That’s it for now then, folks. I’m expecting the results from forensics to come back this afternoon. Until then, let’s hit the computers. No, wait, Graham, can you try and find out how many black Range Rovers are listed in a thirty-mile radius?”
Graham nodded. “I will.”
Katy stared in Roberts’ direction. He motioned with a nod to her office. She headed that way, and he joined her and closed the door.
“How’s Charlie fitted in?” he asked.
“Really well. No qualms from me. She coped with her first PM admirably. Have you got doubts about her?”
“Me? Not at all. I reckon she’ll end up giving Lorne a run for her money.”
Katy relaxed a little and laughed. “Yep, me, too. We’re lucky to have her. My only concern is when we come up against a real baddie, how she’s likely to react. You know, given what went on back in her teens.”
“You missed the test I gave her out there, then?”
“You mentioned that fucker’s name on purpose?”
“I did. She handled it better than I expected. Don’t worry about her, she’s made of strong stuff. Lorne might have thought she let Charlie down in the past, but the opposite is true in my opinion. Charlie is far stronger than people give her credit for. Let’s face it, to come through the horrendous ordeal with The Unicorn and want to join the police…well, I’m not sure how many youngsters would rise to that challenge.”
“You make a good point. I suppose it helps her being amongst friends. She knows the team from the various get-togethers Lorne has put on over the years.”
“True enough.” He became reflective. “Carmen, Sara and I have attended a few of them.”
“Everything all right, Sean—sorry, sir?”
“Don’t correct yourself, it’s Sean when we’re alone, you know that.” He sighed heavily. “I received my decree absolute through the post this morning. I suppose the situation hadn’t fully hit me until I saw it in black and white.”
“Damn, I’m so sorry things didn’t work out for you. It’s hard when there’s a child involved.”
“I’ll see Sara as much as I can until another bloke comes on the scene. Not sure how I’m going to feel about things if and when that happens. But life goes on, right? Speaking of which, have you told your parents about the wedding yet?”
She placed a hand over her chest. “Nope, I’m dreading it. Maybe having a secret ceremony wasn’t the brightest idea AJ and I have ever had.”
“Not an ideal way to begin your marriage if you ask me.”
“I know. I think the reality of the situation is only just dawning on us. Hey ho, what’s done is done, nowt we can do about things now.”
“Good luck, I fear you’re going to need it. I’d better make tracks. I’ve got the monthly meeting to attend with the Super.”
“Returning your best wishes for that one.”
He left the room, and Katy expelled the breath she’d been holding in, and her shoulders sagged, releasing the tension that always took hold in his presence. She hated the thought of being checked up on. She understood he had a job to do, but preferred to do things her own way. She knew where he was if she needed any guidance during an investigation.
Katy settled behind her desk and picked up the phone. She rang an old colleague of hers, from her time up in Manchester, for advice. “Hi, Les, it’s Katy Foster. Do you have a spare five minutes for a chat?”
“Katy Foster, well, now then, this is a blast from the past. How are you diddling down there in the smoke?”
“Not so bad. How are things with you? Still enjoying rounding up the scum of Manchester, are you?”
“Yeah, same old at this end. I hear you got promoted again.”
“For my sins. This one was kind of forced upon me. It’s growing on me, though. I also got married at the weekend.”
He whistled. “Now that’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear you utter. He’s a very lucky man. I take it we’re talking about AJ? That is his name, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. A natural progression for both of us. Georgina is nearly five now. He’s been bugging me to marry him for years; I finally succumbed.”
“A man with a lot of common sense obviously.”
“I’ll pass that on to him.” She laughed. “Getting back to why I’ve called. I know you’re Vice but I have a dilemma I need to run past you, if you’re up for the challenge at this time of the morning.”
“Hit me with it. You know I’ve always got time for you, love.”
“Right, I’ll give you a brief round-up of what I’m up against and I’d like your opinion, if that’s all right?”
“Go for it.”
She gave him the lowdown on the investigation so far and asked, “What do you think? Should I be looking at the underground crime scene?”
“Sounds like it. We’ve had a spate of similar offences going on over the years up here. They’re either linked to
