All the Rage

Adam Fawley
9 April 2018
22.09

It's gone 10.00. Gallagher and I are the only ones left in the incident room. After the tasks for tomorrow were divvied up she sent the whole team home, and frankly, I'd have done exactly the same. Adrenaline is a strange thing `“ it can keep you going for as long as you have no choice, but the minute that burning need disappears you go over an abyss. We were all flat-lining this evening. No one was thinking straight.

Gallagher drains another cup of coffee. I keep reminding her about her kids, and she keeps reminding me about my wife, but somehow or other we're both still here.

* * *

The following morning is bright and clear, with a slicing wind and thin high cloud.

They'd arranged to meet on-site rather than at the station, and when Gislingham arrives Quinn is already waiting for him in the car park.

`˜They obviously got the message,' he says as Gis joins him. `˜The secretary has been out here already, telling me she will personally turn my car into a pumpkin if I even think about parking in the deputy head's space.'

But Gis is in no mood for Quinn's brand of humour. `˜Let's just get this over with,' he says.

* * *