Page 89 of Worth the Wait
Carrick watched him like a hawk.
“Do you want to explain why a civilian was inside a live operation scene before the breach?”
Freddie opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Becca shifted forward. “Sir, if I may… we weren’t even certain what we saw. Everything happened fast. We tried raising comms, but the channel was overloaded. At the time, we thought it might’ve been a tactical extraction by another unit. Off the books. We didn’t want to flag something mid-op without confirmation.”
Freddie blinked, the mix of gratitude and guilt hitting hard and immediate. He could’ve kissed her for stepping in. And throttled her for doubling down on the lie.
Carrick raised a hand. “You guessed. And chose not to report it.”
Silence.
“You’re being given the opportunity now to account for this anomaly. Otherwise, it goes up the chain as adeliberate breach of protocol. You understand the severity?”
Freddie nodded once. “Yes, sir.”
There was a long pause. Bowen stared at him, cool and assessing.
Finally, Carrick straightened. “Nathan Carter is not listed as authorised personnel. He entered an active crime scene without clearance. Motive doesn’t change the fact he obstructed a live police operation. That’s an arrestable offence.”
Freddie’s throat tightened. He could feel where this was headed, every word a step closer to the inevitable. “You’re asking us to arrest him.”
“I’mtellingyou. We don’t make exceptions for civilians who play hero. He compromised the integrity of the operation. If this case collapses, it’s on us.”
Freddie swallowed. “And the kid?”
Bowen leant forward, arms on the desk. “Bring them both in.” She met his eyes, unflinching. “Tonight. Interview under caution.”
Freddie’s heart thudded beneath his stab vest trying to break free.
Nathan.
Afterthis morning. Thatkiss, that confession, thathope.
The walls of the room pressed in, but somehow Freddie pushed back his chair, stood and was the compliant Police Constable and not the man whose heart was breaking when he said, “Yes, sir.”
He turned on his heel and left the incident room with Becca falling into step behind him, boots echoing down the corridor. They didn’t speak until they reached the car park. Freddie climbed into the driver’s seat of their issued patrol car, slammed the door, started the engine. Then cracked.
He slammed his fist into the steering wheel. “Fuck!”
Becca yanked open the passenger door and slid in fast. “Oi!Calm it.” She grabbed his arm before he could hit it again. “You need to tell me what the fuck is going on.Now.”
Freddie threw himself back into the seat, thudding his head against the headrest. He shut his eyes. Counted to five. Tried to breathe through the chaos. Then he stared up at the roof lining to spill the truth. “I know Nathan Carter.”
Becca angled towards him, brows furrowed. “Okay… how well?”
Freddie opened his eyes and met hers. “Very well.” He drew in a deep breath. “We were best mates growing up. From five onwards. Joined at the hip.”
Becca’s frown deepened. “And you didn’t think to mention this when we arrested hiskid?”
“I didn’tknowAlfie was his until I walked into the interview room.”
Becca blinked. “What?How?”
“I hadn’t seen Nate in fifteen years. He left for the army right after he found out Katie Brewer was pregnant with his kid.”
Becca paused. “Alright… so that’s not ideal. You should have told someone you knew him, but it’s salvageable.”
