"Hi," she said, looking between the two of them. "I'm sorry, Tom."
He shrugged off the sentiment. "It's okay. I didn't know him at all. It's more… you know."
"Yeah," Cassie said, smiling weakly.
"Has it been confirmed as a murder?" Tamara asked, taking the lead.
Cassie nodded. "Yes. The FME arrived a half hour ago and together with the crime scene techs examined the body properly. It's as I thought, stab wounds to the chest. Estimated time of death was yesterday afternoon."
"Right," Tamara said. "Let's take a look."
Cassie turned, but before Tom could move, Tamara placed a restraining hand on his forearm. Cassie glanced over her shoulder, apparently sensing they weren't following. Tamara inclined her head and Cassie nodded, continuing.
"What is it?" Tom asked.
"I guess Saffy is in school today?"
"Yes, of course."
"Alice?"
"Day off today, why?"
"Maybe you should go home, speak to her yourself before she hears it from someone else."
Tom was a little irritated. He was anticipating doing exactly that, but he wanted to take a look at the crime scene first.
"Yes, I plan to, but—"
"No," Tamara said, shaking her head. "I know you'll want to be having a look around but you need to be thinking of Alice and Saffy ahead of anything else."
"I am!"
He realised he snapped at her, but if she took offence, then she didn't show it. Tamara's demeanour remained as it always did, calm and measured.
"Tom… you can't be here."
Something in her tone cut through and his irritation evaporated. He saw the hidden meaning behind what she was getting at.
"I really didn’t know him. There's no conflict of interest—"
"You're shacked up with the victim's ex-wife, Tom. It doesn't matter what the reality is, perception is key here. You can't be involved in this case. You can't be anywhere near it."
She was right. As usual. And it was her decision; she was the DCI and it was her call. It wasn't just the crime scene he wouldn't be stepping into. Tamara's expression told him that. The idea of being shut out of the case entirely bothered him though. He silently agreed, pursing his lips.
"Will you be all right getting back to the station later?"
"I'm sure Cassie will oblige," she said, her expression softening and appearing sympathetic. She glanced over towards the marshes. "I'm sorry, Tom. I know it stinks—"
He waved away her apology. "No, it's fine. You're right. I shouldn't be involved."
"It would also put you in an awkward position with Alice. She'll be asking questions—"
"Questions that I shouldn't answer."
"Right," Tamara said, offering him a supportive wink. He frowned and then smiled.
"Where on earth did that come from?"
Tamara flushed. "Yeah… never been one for winking… I don't know why. It seemed fitting. I won't do it again," she smiled sheepishly. "Seriously, though. Will you be okay with this?"
Tom laughed. "Of course. Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be busy enough with the Beckett case anyway."
"True enough. Any reason to think these cases might be linked?"
"Not that I can see, no."
"Good. Listen," she said, raising a hand accompanied by a thoughtful expression, "what do you know about Adrian Gage? Did Alice mention him much?"
Tom shook his head. "Only in relation to Saffy. Not that he would win any competition in the best father categories from what I can gather."
"And it's comments like that that justify my decision to keep you well away from the investigation." Tom waved away her comment. "What did he do for a living?"
"He was a journalist. Freelance," Tom said. "I think he nailed a couple of big scoops for the nationals a few years back but as to what he was up to these days, I couldn't say."
"What about next of kin? Any relatives living locally as far as you know?"
Tom's brow furrowed. "I think he has a sister who lives this way, but I've never met her."
Tamara smiled. "Great, thanks." She reached out and put a gentle hand on his arm, tilting her head towards her shoulder. "Go home. See Alice and… well, you know."
Tom knew she was thinking of Saffy. His thoughts were already drifting to her as well. Children had to learn to experience loss, it was important for their emotional development, but that shouldn't come with the loss of a parent. It was one of the harshest lessons any person would face in life, but to do so at her age was almost unbearable to contemplate.
"Okay. I'll check in with you later."
Tom turned to leave.
"Take care, Tom," Tamara said as he walked away. He glanced back and smiled in thanks.
Tamara Greave saw Cassie hovering at the entrance to the house as soon as she entered the passage between the complex and the path through to the marshes. If Cassie was surprised to see her approaching alone, then she hid it well.
"Tom gone to see Alice?"
Tamara nodded. "Yes. He wanted her to hear it from him rather than one of the locals spreading it around."
The explanation was partly true, but she saw no need to announce her decision to keep him away from the case. That would be clear soon enough. Cassie handed her covers for her shoes and they both put them on.
"CSI have photographed the body and are happy for us to take a look around. It's a bit of a tight squeeze inside, what with everyone doing their thing."
Once they were ready, Tamara indicated for Cassie to lead and they entered the house. Tamara noticed a few of the local residents watching from nearby windows . The proximity of the other residences offered the possibility of an eyewitness having seen or heard something from the day before. They walked along a narrow entrance hall, Tamara glancing
