“Consider it done.”
“Thanks. Can you ask the person in charge to contact me personally, if that’s not stepping on your toes, sir?”
“I will. Leave it with me. I’ll let you know how I get on, soon.”
Katy nodded and left the room. She stopped off at the loo and fished out her phone to ring home. “Hi, sorry, I know I should’ve called you earlier. I’m going to be late.”
“I figured something was up. How late? Is everything all right?”
“Yep, Roberts has given overtime the go-ahead for this evening. The gang are due to make the shipment tonight, so our informant has just told us.”
“That’s brilliant news. So you’re going to catch them in the act, right?”
“We hope so. No telling what time I’ll be home, sorry, love.”
“Don’t be. I’ll settle Georgie down with a Disney film, she won’t miss you.”
“Gee, thanks. Not exactly what a working mother wants to hear.”
“You know what I mean. We’ll both miss you. Promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?” She wet her finger and rubbed at the mascara stain under her right eye.
“That you’ll stand back and let the team pull their weight for a change.”
“I promise. We’ve got an ART joining us, that should take the pressure off a bit.”
“It’s put my mind at ease right away. Thank fuck for that. I bet Charlie’s excited. This will be her first real test, won’t it?”
“She did well today. We had to tackle an absconder, and she was the quickest to react. I have no doubts about her being my partner. I need to push her up the grade ladder ASAP. Not sure having a DC as a partner carries much clout in the eyes of the public.”
“I think that’s just your perception, love. No one cares what grade a detective is as long as they’re good and reliable at their job.”
“She’s definitely that. Bred from excellent stock, it was to be expected. What dinner am I missing out on tonight?”
“Not sure I should tell you.”
“Go on.”
“Umm…lasagne.”
“Oh crap, my favourite as well. Will it keep?”
“Of course it will. You can either have it when you come home tonight or it’ll keep for tomorrow’s dinner, no problem.”
“Great stuff. I’d hate to think I’ve missed out on my favourite meal. You’re too good to me, AJ.”
“I know. It’s a good job I love you.”
“Right backatcha. I need to go now, need a piddle before I wet myself.”
“Thanks for that image of you talking to me while crossing your legs.”
“You’re welcome. See you later, I hope.”
“Stay safe, and don’t go getting involved when you don’t need to.”
“Don’t worry about me. It’s all in hand, love, I promise. Give Georgie a cuddle from me.”
“I will. Love you.”
“I love you, too, more than you’ll ever realise, AJ.”
“I think I know how much. Be safe.”
“See you soon, and don’t fret about me.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Katy tied up her hair, nipped into a cubicle to empty her bladder, which appeared to be on fire, and then washed her hands. She left the ladies’ and bumped into DCI Roberts in the hallway. “Oops…sorry, sir.”
“Clumsy of you, Inspector. Why the rush?”
Katy groaned and rolled her eyes. “Because it’s all going to kick off in a few hours. I’m just about to call a meeting to discuss what we intend doing about catching these bastards if you fancy attending.”
“Music to my ears. Beats going home to a TV dinner and watching those mind-numbing soaps.”
“Glad to be of service, sir.”
“Come on, let’s get on with it.”
They entered the bustling incident room, and the noise dimmed instantly.
“Right, team, gather around. I’ve asked DCI Roberts to join us.”
Chairs scraped, and a sense of immense pride suddenly jolted through her. It was replaced quickly by a spike of trepidation which jangled her nerves. She discreetly shook out her arms, hoping to dislodge the tension pulling across her shoulders.
“Everything all right?” Charlie whispered.
“Fine. Weary, that’s all. Just trying to get my brain into gear. Okay, listen up, everyone. Charlie and I have just come from the manufacturers of the GPS systems. While we were there we spoke to the owner and the supervisor who assured us that no one on their staff would ever dream of doing anything underhand. Nevertheless, like stubborn bulldogs, Charlie and I forged on regardless. We questioned a gentleman called Aaron Salter who crumbled before our eyes. What he revealed, I have to declare, shocked us. He gave up the name of the man running this gang. The cars are, as we suspected, being stolen with the intent to sell. What we didn’t know is the cars are being shipped out to Saudi Arabia tonight at ten o’clock. DCI Roberts has sanctioned overtime for this evening. After the meeting has ended, I need you all to call home, tell your loved ones you’ll be late. What have you all managed to find out in our absence?”
Graham was the first to raise his hand. “I’ve scoured all the footage from the ANPRs in the area surrounding the times the cars were stolen and I believe I’ve found the lorry they used to transport the vehicles. I can trace its journey so far and then it appears to go off-grid.”
“Excellent news, Graham. Any idea what the area consists of where it disappears?”
“It’s an industrial estate, boss. I was going to take a ride out there on my way home from work this evening, just to get my facts straight.”
“There’s no need for that. Google Map the area, that’ll give us a rough idea of what to expect. Then I need you and Steve to get over there, we’ll put the place under surveillance for the next few hours.”
He nodded and gave his partner the thumbs-up.
“Sorry,” she said, “I should’ve said Aaron confirmed the gang leader as Robert Anderton. Now we’ve had the confirmation, all we know thus far is that he runs an import and export business. The thing is, and this is the most important part in all this, Aaron told us
