Left You Dead

114

Cleo was thrilled about the idea of fostering the cat, even if it only turned out to be for a short while. She told Roy that Humphrey seemed to get on really well with cats — he’d loved playing with both her sister’s cat and her parents’ two tabby cats. And maybe this one would sort out the mouse problems she was increasingly certain they had.

Over the weekend, Grace had gone into the office several times, to arrange the interview strategy for Eden Paternoster and observe the interviews with Glenn Branson. He’d also briefed Norman Potting to arrange with the Magistrates’ Court a request for a warrant for further detention, which had been successful.

EJ had checked there was a cat carrier basket in the Paternosters’ house, and Grace planned to pick Reggie up on the way home. As he drove into the Police HQ just before 8.30 a.m., he reckoned he might be going home in less than an hour’s time if ACC Pewe carried out his threat to suspend him when they met this morning.

He parked behind the Major Crime building, then went into his office to check his email for any updates and, out of force of habit, the overnight serials — all the logged crime reports in the county.

Then at 8.50 a.m., wondering what awaited him, but surprised how relaxed he felt about what could be a career-changing meeting in ten minutes’ time, he stepped back out into glorious warm sunshine. As he did so, his private phone pinged. It was a text from Cleo.

He texted three hearts back, then headed down the hill towards the rear entrance of Malling House, which housed the Sussex Police brass and their key support staff.

As he approached, he was puzzled by the sight of two unfamiliar vehicles, dark-coloured Audi A6s, parked up outside the building. He clocked their licence plates, but neither were familiar, and he knew from memory the indexes of pretty much all of the local unmarked cars.

He walked past them and was about to enter the door when a burly man in a grey suit came through it. He was followed by Cassian Pewe, his face chalky white, then another tall man in a blue suit bringing up the rear.

‘Good morning, sir!’ Grace said to Pewe breezily. ‘I’m here for our—’

The ACC walked past stonily, without acknowledging him.

An instant later, the man in the grey suit opened the rear door of one of the Audis. As Pewe entered the side behind the passenger seat, the burly man pushed the ACC’s head down protectively. Then he closed the door. Blue Suit opened the door on the far side, slid in behind the driver’s seat and pulled the door shut.

Grey Suit then climbed into the driver’s seat. The car glided away, down towards the main entrance barrier, which rose as it approached. Then it was gone.

Grace hesitated, uncertain what to do. Was this it? Clearly, Pewe had been arrested, he thought to his immense relief. Hadn’t he? It certainly looked like it.

He wondered if the crew of the second Audi were searching his office.

He turned and headed back towards the Major Crime building, unsure whether to be elated or worried. Then his phone rang.

It was Alison Vosper.

‘Roy? How are you?’

‘Well, ma’am, I’m not entirely sure.’

‘I just wanted to let you know, before you heard it from anyone else, that we are arresting ACC Pewe — the evidence you gave us checked out. He has been suspended with immediate effect.’

For a few seconds, Grace was speechless. ‘Thank you for telling me, ma’am.’

‘I know this may not change anything, Roy — other than perhaps doing myself no favours. But my offer to you of a job in the Met remains open.’

‘I appreciate that, ma’am. I really do.’

‘One day, perhaps? Call me any time, you know where to reach me.’

‘I really appreciate your faith in me.’

‘Until then, stay safe.’

‘And you, ma’am.’

Moments after he ended the call, his phone rang again. It was Cleo. He answered and she sounded surprised.

‘Sorry, darling,’ she said. ‘I was just going to leave a message. Have you had your meeting with Pewe?’

‘No, he’s otherwise engaged.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning he’s just been driven off in the back of a car, under arrest.’

‘No way!’

‘Yessss!’

‘Oh my God! You’ve done it!’

‘Here’s hoping.’

‘You have, you’ve done it!!!’

‘With luck!’

‘I was just calling to say that when you collect Reggie — or before — could you swing by Tesco Lewes and pick up some cat litter?’

‘Yes, sure. Shall I get some cat food as well and some treats?’

‘Treats for you or Reggie?’

‘Haha!’

‘Just don’t vanish, eh?’