Pop Goes the Weasel

98

Charlie was heading away from the station fast – but not fast enough. Helen caught up with her before she made it across the road. She got straight to the point.

‘What’s going on, Charlie?’

‘Sorry?’

‘Normally you’d be right on this, but something’s the matter.’

Charlie looked at her boss. There was no point lying to her, they were beyond that.

‘It’s Steve. He wants me to leave the Force.’

‘I see,’ Helen replied. She wasn’t surprised. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve made things worse for you. I could have handled Steve better.’

‘It’s not your fault. It’s been coming. Ever since…’

She didn’t need to say it out loud.

‘I understand. We need you. You know we need you, but ultimately you have to do what’s right for you. I won’t stand in your way and I’ll back you whatever you decide, ok?’

Helen put a comforting hand on Charlie’s arm.

‘Thank you.’

‘And if you need to talk…’

‘Sure.’

Helen turned to go.

‘And how are you?’

Helen paused, surprised by Charlie’s question. Her eyes strayed to the newsagent’s across the road and the Evening News board, which promised more revelations about Robert and Marianne. It wasn’t hard to work out why Charlie was asking.

‘I don’t know how she does it.’

‘Who?’

‘Garanita. She knows where I go, what I do. Who I see. She knows everything. It’s like she’s climbed inside of me and… I don’t know how she does it.’

‘A leak in the team?’

‘No… this isn’t just about the investigation. It’s about me. Personal stuff. She’s just a ghost following me into every room of my life.’

Helen hated looking lost in front of Charlie, but there was no point concealing her profound hurt from someone who’d been through hell with her already.

‘You’ve beaten worse than her. You mustn’t let her win.’

Helen nodded. She knew Charlie was right but it was hard to be optimistic when she was so badly on the back foot.

‘She’s a worm,’ Charlie continued. ‘She’s not worthy to stand on the same street as you. Whatever she’s got, you’re Helen Grace. You’re a hero. No one will ever be able to destroy that. I believe in you and so should you.’

Helen looked up, grateful for Charlie’s support.

‘As for Emilia Garanita,’ Charlie continued. ‘She’ll get hers soon enough. Her sort always do.’

Charlie smiled and Helen responded. Shortly after, the two women parted.

Walking back to the station Helen was momentarily buoyed up – pleased to have received a pep talk from a woman she had tried so hard to push away. Reaching the atrium, she realized that her phone had been switched off since the news of Robert’s identity had broken. Turning it back on, a host of voicemail messages sprang up and with them the text from Robert.

It read simply: ‘Fuck you.’