‘And were you thinking about my wife and family’s safety when the information was leaked?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘It’s out. Everyone knows. Our kids know. This has torn us apart.’
The line was quiet for a moment. Charlie could hear DI Burns breathing down the phone.
‘Mr Carter, I have behaved with complete discretion. Any number of staff at the station would have been privy to that information. If there has indeed been a leak as you suggest, I can assure you that it did not come from myself.’
She said myself instead of me, the way people did because they thought it made them sound more intelligent. Charlie resisted the temptation to correct her.
‘If you say so. I’d be having a word with your officers if I were you.’
Another pause.
‘We can discuss this when you come in. If you and your wife would like to make a complaint, then I can certainly put you in touch with the right people.’
The way she said wife, Charlie could tell she didn’t give a shit. She was glad Beth was suffering.
‘Yeah, and I’m sure Beth would be treated totally fairly.’
Charlie heard a sigh.
‘Mr Carter will you come to the station or not?’
‘Why? Who did the print belong to?’
‘It was Kieran Taylor’s.’
53
Happy families, strolling on the promenade in the early-evening sun, whizzed past Beth’s passenger-side window. Children with balloons. Fathers carrying laughing toddlers on their shoulders. Adoring mothers dawdling behind with prams. Each snapshot a reminder of what Beth had lost; what she must now try to protect.
She had to get to Charlie. Had to warn him. She’d tried to ring him twice, but it had gone straight to voicemail. She approached a pedestrian crossing, and the light turned red. Slamming her foot down, she sped through, much to the disgust of an elderly lady with a Zimmer frame.
A siren drew her attention. A police car was following behind and wanted her to pull in.
‘Shit!’ she cursed under her breath.
For a moment she considered driving away, but she knew that wasn’t wise. Reluctantly she pulled over to the side of the road. As the car parked up behind her, she dialled Margot’s number.
‘Hello, darling!’ Margot’s dulcet tones seeped into Beth’s ear like warm treacle.
‘Margot, I don’t have time to explain, but can you to do me a favour. It’s an emergency,’ Beth exclaimed down the phone.
‘Okay. What is it?’
‘I need you to get to Charlie and the kids. They’re staying at his boss’s flat. Can you get there immediately and get them away? Take them somewhere safe. Take them to your place, anywhere. And make sure you aren’t followed.’
‘Beth, what on earth is going on?’
‘I’ll explain when I see you, but for now can you do this for me right away, please?’
‘Of course, sweetie.’
‘Thank you. I’ll text you the address as soon as I hang up.’
She pressed the end-call button and hammered out the address into a message, as a surly-looking police officer, who appeared adolescent, rapped on the window with his knuckle.
Beth opened it, eyeing his name badge, which identified him as Constable Drake.
‘Hello, madam. Can I ask if you know what the speed limit is along this road?’
Beth hesitated. ‘Yes.’
‘And can I ask what speed you were doing?’
‘I… I think I was…’ she stuttered. It didn’t really matter what she replied, whatever she said she was screwed.
‘And are you also aware that you ran a red light back there, narrowly missing pedestrians who had started to cross the road?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry about that.’
‘May I have your driving licence, please?’
She pulled her purse from her bag and handed the constable her photocard.
‘Beth Carter?’ Something about his tone set her on edge. Her heart pounded.
‘Mrs Carter, would you get out of the car for me?’
‘Why?’
‘Because I’m asking you to. And I’m a police officer.’
‘Look, I’m in a bit of a rush. Could you give me the ticket and let’s get this over with?’
‘Can you step out of the vehicle, now.’ His tone was curt. Beth decided it was pointless arguing. She climbed out. He pulled something from his belt.
‘Have you been drinking, Mrs Carter?’
‘No, of course I haven’t.’
‘I’m pretty sure I can smell alcohol from you, so I’m going to ask you to provide a breath sample.’
‘You are wasting both of our time. You know as well as I do that you can’t smell anything. You’re picking on me because… because of my name.’
‘I don’t know what you mean, madam. I’m simply doing my job. Are you refusing to provide me with a sample?’
Beth’s shoulders slumped.
‘No. I’m not.’
Constable Drake slowly performed the charade, breathalysing Beth. Passers-by smirked as they stared at her. She felt ashamed, which was ridiculous, as she knew she was completely sober. The officer held out the apparatus, and Beth blew into the tube, while he smiled at her, knowingly.
The test was negative. No surprises.
‘Can I go now?’ Beth said impatiently.
Drake eyed her, then looked at her Range Rover.
‘Nice car,’ he drawled. ‘No, you can’t go yet. I need to radio in and get a check on your vehicle.’
Beth tutted as the officer turned his back to her and walked away.
‘This is harassment,’ she shouted after him.
He stopped, turning back to face Beth.
‘Really? And why would I be harassing you?’
‘Because you know who I am.’
Drake laughed but said nothing. He turned and continued walking to his car. He pulled his radio from his belt and said something quietly so Beth couldn’t hear. There was a crackled reply. Beth craned her head a little to hear. But it was no use, he was too far away. The officer frowned as he listened, then returned to Beth.
‘Mrs Carter, one of my superiors has asked if you can accompany me to the station.’
‘I have done nothing wrong.’
‘That’s not entirely true, is it? You were speeding, and you ran a red light. But that’s neither here nor there. This is unrelated. Apparently, they need to talk to you about something else.’
Beth’s mind
