Charlie’s mouth twisted. “If we really have to. Does the smell linger on your clothes?”
Katy sniggered. “Sometimes, why?”
“It’s a new suit.”
“And very smart it is, too. You’ll have protective clothing on. Best thing you can do is slip the scrubs on over your underwear, that way your clothes will keep all shiny and new.”
“Good thinking. Sorry for sounding a wuss, it’s just, I never spend much money on clothes and thought I’d push the boat out buying this to impress my new boss.”
Katy laughed. “I’m sure DCI Roberts appreciated your efforts, too, Miss Simpkins.”
“Actually, I was referring to you.”
“Charlie! Stop it, you don’t have to try and impress me. I know what genes you have running through you. They’re from an impressive bloodline, what with your mother, and her father before her, being well-regarded in the Met.”
“I know. Maybe that’s just it, I don’t want to feel as though I’m letting the side down by screwing up.”
“You’re an idiot. I have some advice for you.”
Charlie frowned. “What’s that?”
“Just be yourself. Yes, your name might have been the one thing that got your foot in the door in the first place, but since then, you’ve proven your worth in the K9 division enough for Sean to want you on his team. So, stop doubting your abilities. Hey, if you were a crap copper, there is no way on this earth you’d even be a passenger in this car, let alone be classed as my partner. You should be regarding that as an honour and a privilege. Oh God, that sounded so wrong. What I meant to say is…”
Charlie grinned. “I think I got your drift. Thanks for giving me a chance, Katy, it means the world to me to be here, working alongside my mother’s best partner and good friend. I hope you don’t regret having me.”
“Stop with the negativity. Here’s another piece of advice for you to consume: make sure you open your ears, don’t let anything pass you by. Sometimes it’s the snippet of information that comes your way which turns out to be the most vital piece of the puzzle in any investigation. I trust your integrity one hundred percent. Cards on the table, I wouldn’t want anyone else as a partner.”
Charlie’s cheeks flushed. “I won’t let you down, I promise.”
“Damn right you won’t, or I’ll be straight on the phone to that mother of yours, forcing her out of retirement.”
“Oh no, I don’t think she’ll ever consider coming back to the force now. She’s settled really well up in Norfolk. She’s living the dream as they say.”
“Have you had the chance to visit her yet?”
“Briefly, Brandon and I made a flying visit a few weeks back to surprise her.”
“I bet that went down well.”
“Not really. She was up to her ankles in dog mess, hosing out the kennels. Ah, I remember those days well.”
“Ah yes, of course, you used to run the rescue centre for her. You’re a grafter, I’ll give you that, Charlie.”
“Hard work never killed anyone was one of my grandfather’s favourite sayings.”
“That’s true enough.” Katy slotted the car into gear and pulled away from the scene.
They arrived at the hospital fifteen minutes later and made their way down to the mortuary. One of Patti’s assistants welcomed them.
“Hi, can I help?”
“We were hoping to join Patti, if it’s not too late?”
“She’s in the examination suite. I can ask for you.”
“That’d be great. We’ll wait here.”
The woman walked the length of the corridor and entered a heavy door at the end. She emerged seconds later and motioned for them to join her.
She showed them into the locker room and pointed to the greens in the corner. “Help yourselves. When you’re ready, go straight through, she’s expecting you.”
“Thanks.”
The woman left, and Katy crossed the room to the cloth bag which held the green scrubs. “What size?”
“Either a small or maybe a medium would be better,” Charlie replied, already stripping off her new suit and slipping it on one of the spare hangers sitting on the metal rail.
“Here you go. There should be a locker available, we’ll put our personal belongings in there. Our clothes should be safe hanging up.”
“I hope so, don’t fancy going around wearing this all day back at the station.”
“Yeah, I agree, hardly a fashion statement, are they? Good job AJ and Brandon aren’t here to see us, it would kill our sex lives.”
“You’re not wrong.”
Suited and booted in the non-high-fashion calf-style wellies, they ventured into the theatre.
Katy stopped at the door. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“It’s a part of the job I need to get used to ASAP, according to Mum.”
“I don’t think you ever get used to it, but yes, it’s a necessary part of the job. I think Lorne’s previous partner, Pete, always puked his way through the torture of being here.”
“He was a funny sod. Nice guy, but funny all the same.”
“I’ve heard some tales, I can tell you. Right, back to the task in hand. Be prepared, grab the pot of Vicks as soon as you get in there and slather it under your nostrils. Trust me, it’ll help until you get used to the smell.”
“You’re not really selling it to me, boss.”
Katy smiled and entered the room.
Patti paused talking to the recording machine and glanced their way. “Well, well, well, if we don’t have yet another cracking Simpkins on our patch. Welcome, Charlie.”
“Hi, Patti, Mum sends her regards.”
“I need to give her a call. I’ll do that later with an update on how you did during your first PM.”
Katy wagged her finger at the pathologist. “Leave the poor girl alone, give her a bloody chance, Patti.”
“I’m teasing. You’ll be fine. You come from the best stock around. That’s good enough for me. I have confidence in you, Charlie.”
“Thanks, I hope I don’t let you down.”
Katy handed Charlie the pot of Vicks and showed her how much to use of the slippery, smelly product.
Charlie heaved at the
