Dead at First Sight

129 Saturday, October 13th

‘I can’t believe it!’ Cleo said, snuggling up beside him on the sofa in front of the television. Noah toddled across his play mat, stumbled and giggled, then began pressing buttons on a toy, each of which was in the shape of an animal. He stabbed an elephant, which trumpeted. Then a cat, which miaowed, followed by a sheep, which baaed. He giggled again.

‘Believe what?’

‘That you are actually here, at home on a Saturday afternoon, watching rugby — instead of working. And looking like the cat that got the cream!’

‘Maybe I did get it.’

She looked at him, quizzically. ‘You’ve not had any second thoughts since last night? You really think fighting knife crime in London is going to be an easier gig than your current job?’

‘Anything that doesn’t have Cassian Pewe involved is going to be an easier gig.’

‘Really? Commuting to London daily — that’s going to be easier?’

‘It’s only a six-month posting.’

‘What if they want to extend it and keep you on a year, two years? Permanently?’

Grace watched, hope rising as an England player sprinted with the ball towards the touchline, then he grimaced as the player was felled by a tackle.

‘Darling, my heart’s here in Brighton,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t ever want a permanent posting away. But I’d be very happy to have a six-month break from Cassian Pewe.’

‘Well, if it’s going to make you less stressed than what you’re currently doing, I guess that’s a good thing.’

‘Less stressed and a higher pay scale. What’s not to like? It’ll help towards the cost of Bruno’s bathroom!’

She smiled, fleetingly, then looked him in the eye. ‘It’ll help towards another cost, too.’

‘Oh yes?’

She patted her midriff, looking both happy and sheepish at the same time. ‘I think I’m pregnant!’

‘You are?’ He put his arms around her and kissed her. ‘Oh my God, fantastic! Are you sure?’

‘I’ve got an appointment with the doctor on Monday, but I did a second test this morning and it’s positive!’

‘Brilliant, I can’t believe it!’ He sat for some moments, holding her tightly. ‘Just amazing news.’

‘Let’s celebrate properly after it’s confirmed on Monday — and don’t let’s tell anyone yet, in case—’ She shrugged, and the unspoken words hung in the air.

‘Sure, of course.’

Cleo glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll have to go and pick Bruno up in a few minutes, from his party bus. He was so excited when I dropped him off. I really hope he’s had a good time with his school friends. Maybe this will be the breakthrough.’

‘Let’s hope so. I can go if you want — a pregnant lady should have plenty of rest!’

‘You’re the one who needs it this weekend,’ she replied.

‘I wish! I have to go in tomorrow morning for a team debrief.’

‘Will you be there all day?’

‘Most of it, I’m afraid.’

‘So tell me more about yesterday — what’s going to happen to that poor army guy who got conned out of every penny he has in the world?’

‘Fordwater?’

‘Will he go to prison?’

‘We’re putting a file together for the Coroner, and I’ve spoken to the CPS. He will be charged with illegal possession of a firearm, and I can’t do anything about that. He’s being interviewed under caution this morning, with his solicitor. I feel sorry for him, but I’m not sure what he had in mind going to that house — whether he was just planning to frighten Jules de Copeland or actually shoot him. He says he was acting in self-defence, protecting himself, and — ironically — de Copeland. Ultimately it will be for the CPS to decide what to charge him with.’

‘The poor guy,’ she said, ‘I feel sorry for him. His life’s destroyed.’

‘I’m afraid he’s a member of a very big club. Men and women looking for love on the internet in this country have been scammed out of an estimated £300 million in the past twelve months. Most of them are in their sixties, seventies, eighties and even nineties. Many of them, like Fordwater, have lost their homes and every penny they have in the world. And with no chance of ever recovering any of it. It’s tragic.’

‘So Major Fordwater should get a medal, not a prison sentence.’

‘If there was any justice in the world.’