Page 17 of The Girl in the Woods

Shit, she couldn’t afford to lose her job on top of everything else. ‘I’m fine, sir. I’m on top of the job.’

‘Let’s make sure things stay that way, shall we?’

‘Yes, sir,’ she said, standing up. ‘Can I ask who the new DI will be?’

He hesitated, looked her in the eye and said, ‘DI Tom Miller.’

Hearing his name brought back an avalanche of memories that made her head spin. ‘Tom Miller?’ she repeated, leaning on the back of the chair.

‘I requested him, and he agreed as long as you’re happy with the decision. He’s been through trauma while on the job, and he understands the personal issues you may be going through.’

Beth’s eyes hardened with anger. ‘So you’ve gone behind my back, just like the first time you took him on. You didn’t mind having an alcoholic DI then, did you?’ She was raising her voice, but she didn’t care.

‘Beth,’ Lewis said, leaning across the desk. ‘Are you telling me you’re an alcoholic?’

‘Of course not,’ she denied hotly, feeling her face grow red. ‘You had no right to talk to him about my private life.’

‘I’ll overlook your disrespectful manner, DS Harper, as I can see you are upset, but may I remind you that as head of this department, I have every right,’ Lewis said sharply. ‘As chief superintendent, running a tight ship is my job. I can’t have officers on my team who will likely make mistakes.’

‘Yes, sir,’ she said.

Lewis nodded. ‘That’s good. If you have any problems in the future, come straight to me. We can offer help, Beth. Don’t struggle alone.’

Beth stood outside his office for a few minutes, her mind whirring. How many of her colleagues knew about the drinking? Had someone reported her leaving early?

‘Shit,’ she muttered.

Beth tried to picture Tom Miller and wondered if he had changed much. Then she realised she hadn’t asked when he was starting. The anticipation of seeing him again made her body tingle.

The attacks in Stonesend a year ago had changed them all. How could it not have? They had learnt the harsh reality that nowhere you lived was safe, that leaving doors unlocked was foolhardy, and that no one did that anymore. Seeing Tom Miller again was going to feel strange for everyone.

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘What’s she like to work for?’ Ana asked as they strolled through the village. The smell of yeasty bread wafted over them as they passed the bakers.

‘Best doughnuts in the world,’ Matt said, waving at a young girl behind the counter. ‘I can vouch for their custard ones.’ Matt’s mouth watered at the thought.

‘So, what’s she like?’ repeated Ana.

‘Not a doughnut girl then?’ said Matt.

‘Custard tarts,’ she said with a smile. ‘So what’s she like to work for?’

‘Beth?’ Matt grinned. ‘I mean DS Harper. Yeah, she’s okay. She’s a good boss.’

‘All right, Matt.’ Nat from the butchers waved.

‘I’m good, mate. Save me a nice lamb chop, will you?’

‘Sure thing,’ said Nat, staring openly at Ana.

‘This is DC Rawlins. She started with us this morning.’

‘Right,’ said Nat. ‘Welcome, not one of those vegetarians, are you?’

Ana laughed. ‘No, give me a good steak any day.’

‘That’s my speciality.’ Nat grinned.

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