Little Boy Blue

87

‘It would have been a lot easier if you’d contacted us earlier, Mr Simons.’

David Simons said nothing in response – he looked about as pleased to be in the interview suite as Charlie did. She’d been on the cusp of calling it a day when he had finally presented himself at the custody desk. Sanderson had just returned to the station and was locked in a private briefing with Helen, leaving Charlie no choice but to field the interview, as the only senior officer available.

‘I might say the same thing to you,’ Simons replied. ‘I’m the only person on this planet who gave a shit about Jake Elder and yet I’ve no clue what’s happening. Are you going to charge this guy Parker or not?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t comment on an ongoing operation -’

‘Yada yada yad-’

‘But I can assure you we are making good progress,’ Charlie interrupted, resisting the temptation to punch Simons in the face.

The truth was of course a little different. Samantha was in custody but had not been charged, which made Charlie very nervous indeed. There was a lot riding on this for her, especially after her bitter argument with Helen.

‘In the meantime, I’d like to go over a few details with you. Starting with where and how you first met Jake Elder?’

Begrudgingly, David Simons began to talk, giving brief details of his relationship with their first victim. Charlie listened, nodding and taking notes when necessary, but in truth her mind remained elsewhere. She didn’t expect any revelations from Simons and her thoughts were full of the day’s traumatic events. Her shoulder still ached from her fight with Samantha, but she would have happily worn that if she had helped bring this troubling case to a conclusion. As it was, she had all but destroyed her relationship with Helen, and Samantha remained a suspect, but no more.

Had the price been worth paying? She was determined not to come second best to Sanderson – but had it really been necessary to confront her mentor and friend so harshly? She and Helen had always got on and though it was true that Helen was in a very troubled place at the moment, she owed her more than bitterness and aggression. She had been right to call Helen out on her behaviour, but a lot of what Helen had said about her had also been on the money. Charlie did need to get a grip on herself. The fact that she wasn’t planning on telling her partner Steve about her fight with Samantha told Charlie all she needed to know about the wisdom of entering that flat alone.

Would an apology cut it? Was it even advisable? Charlie had brought Samantha in and while there was still a good chance that she would be charged, it was probably best to say nothing. Once she had put Sanderson in her place, then she could try to repair her relationship with Helen. For now, there was nothing for it but to hunker down and see things through to the bitter end.