Page 38 of Making a Killing

‘Officially, yes. But at a granular level, you will have operational discretion. So the idea is light touch, at least initially, but he’ll review your findings and act as a sounding board.’

What did I just say about Bullshit Bingo? But Renshaw is a good call. Six months from retirement so he won’t give a shit about the politics, but in any case I’ve always found him to be a decent bloke. Dull, yes – in fact, complete imagination bypass from what I’ve seen – but hell, I’ll take that right now.

‘Likewise, I will expect more regular updates than normal. Should any evidence emerge that calls your original investigation into question, we will, of course, review the position. But as I said, no one – at present – is questioning your integrity.’

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t exactly call that ‘reassuring’.

‘So you want me to run a live case and a cold case simultaneously, in two different counties? That won’t be easy.’

He raises an eyebrow. ‘Well, you’re a DCI now, Adam. It isn’t supposed to be easy.’

Suck it up time. ‘You said “my squad” –’

He nods. ‘I think it would be helpful to have as many of the original team from 2016 as possible. DS Gislingham is still in post, as I’m sure you’re aware, as are DS Everett and DC Baxter. DC Somer, as you know, is now working as a Ministry of Justice intermediary.’

Helping vulnerable witnesses deal with the police and the court process. Children, people with learning difficulties, victims of abuse. It’s a tough job and I have to say I was surprised she opted for it, but Gis pointed out that it was in Hampshire, near her bloke, and in any case having survived cancer against some pretty tough odds she felt she owed one to the universe. I’m not sure I agree with that, as a model for career planning, but she’ll be good at it, no question.

‘And Quinn? Isn’t he in uniform at the moment?’

Harrison nods. ‘Currently acting Neighbourhood Inspector for North Oxford, while Katherine MacAlister is on maternity leave. He passed his inspector’s exams –’

‘Yes, I heard.’

‘– so is awaiting an appropriate opening. I thought being back in uniform for a while would do him good.’

‘And how’s that working out?’

Harrison considers. ‘On the whole, very well. He knows how to handle the demographic –’

What he means is The Money. North Oxford is the Chelsea of this city: it doesn’t get much more desirable, or expensive, than OX2, and as household incomes rise so does the propensity to complain.

‘His new in-laws are doubtless a great support in that respect.’

Harrison suppresses the same smile I just did. ‘Quite. They’re personal friends with the DCC as well, which I’m sure is turbo-charging his career very nicely. But it’s not just that he’s managing the glad-handing; he has a number of useful initiatives underwayon issues like graffiti, which are high on the list of priorities locally.’

I bet. Indeed, I know.

‘And James Fry, the local councillor, speaks very highly of him, and he’s always a good barometer on these things. So, the question is, given Quinn’s doing well where he is, do you want him back?’

Eight years ago, when Daisy Mason first went missing, Quinn was his own worst enemy. Too flash, too careless of his colleagues, and odds-on to shoot himself up the arse at the first chance that came his way. But he can also be smart, resourceful and – when there’s enough in it for him – diligent. And marriage, so Gis tells me, has been the making of him. For him, unlike me, this really could be an opportunity.

‘Yes, sir, I think I would like him back.’

‘As DS or acting DI? It’s your call.’

‘No, I think he’s earned a chance to prove himself, sir. Let’s give him the DI.’

‘Very well. I’ll let Superintendent Kearney know, and leave you to break the news to your team. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to have you back sooner than they expected.’

Maybe. But they sure as hell won’t be cracking open the prosecco when they find out why.

***

‘That’s how things stand,’ says Tate, finishing her announcement and looking round the room. ‘Not my choice, but nothing I can do.’

‘And what happens in the meantime?’ says Holloway. ‘Do we just sit on our bloody hands like a bunch of plonkers until this hotshot DCI from Thames Valley parachutes in to take over? We need to expand the house-to-house, follow up on MissPers –’

Funny, thinks Triona Bradley, how he’s suddenly so keen on doing the hard yards.

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