Need You Dead

52 Sunday 24 April

Twenty minutes after the briefing ended, there was a knock on Roy Grace’s office door. He was looking forward to an evening at home with Cleo and the kids. ‘Come in!’

Jon Exton entered, wearing a suit that seemed to be hanging off him. He was looking apprehensive.

How much weight had he lost, Grace wondered? Exton, a bright DS, was well overdue for promotion. But something was wrong. What?

‘Have a seat, Jon.’ Grace indicated the chair in front of his desk.

‘Thanks, boss,’ he said, perching awkwardly on the edge of it. ‘You said you wanted to see me?’

‘I just wanted to know if you are OK, Jon?’

‘Me?’ He looked surprised. ‘Yes, yes I am. Absolutely.’

‘You know you can come and talk to me in confidence if there’s anything on your mind.’

‘Thanks, but I’m fine.’

‘Maybe it’s your Sunday look?’

‘Sunday look?’

‘You haven’t shaved and your hair’s a mess. You’re normally Mr Dapper. And you’ve lost weight. I noticed the change in your appearance a couple of days ago, but you now look worse. I’m just concerned about you.’

‘Ah, you see, I’m training for the Beachy Head Marathon.’

‘OK — respect!’

‘I’m doing it in aid of the Martlets Hospice. Perhaps I could get you to sponsor me — I’ve got a Just Giving page.’

‘Of course, good cause. Ping me the link.’ He looked at him carefully again. ‘You’re sure there’s nothing wrong? Nothing you want to talk about to a sympathetic ear and get off your chest?’

‘No, absolutely nothing.’

‘OK.’ Grace smiled. ‘See you tomorrow.’

Watching him leave, he remained unconvinced. There was definitely something very wrong. He picked up the phone and called Batchelor.

‘Guy, I’m concerned about Jon Exton. I’d like you to keep a close eye on him. See if he’ll open up to you.’

‘Yes, of course. What’s the problem?’

‘He’s not his normal self — I’m worried about his health. There must be something going on in his life that’s not right. I don’t know if he’s having a mid-life crisis or something.’

‘Leave it with me, boss, I’ll see what I can find out.’

Grace thanked him then left for home.