Page 8 of When You're Safe

She slowed down, stopping inchesfrom them, and could almost see the reflection of her car in their blackenedsunglasses. Behind her, two other cars stopped abruptly, one driven by Finn andthe other by Chief Collins.

Amelia rolled down her window andstuck her head out into the increasing sunshine. Behind the two securityguards, the vast imposing outline of DeGrey Castle etched itself starklyagainst the blue sky.

“Good morning,” the taller of thetwo guards, a blond man, said, approaching. “Can I help you?”

“I’m an inspector withHertfordshire constabulary,” Amelia replied. “I’m here to talk with the DeGreyfamily about a sudden death this morning.”

“Hertfordshire?” the man said,surprise in his voice. “Aren’t you a little far from your jurisdiction? Weweren’t made aware of this.”

Amelia didn’t blame them for theirwariness. It was strange herself to be outside of her own jurisdiction. Butever since she had helped Finn solve the Lord Van Reece murder, she knew thatit was only a matter of time before the Home Office requested their presenceagain. The only shock to her was that it had been so quick.

“We’re part of a team that hasbeen assembled on request of the Home Office,” she tried to explain.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have toverify this,” the man said, touching an earpiece in his left ear as ifreceiving instructions from someone.

Amelia looked past him and sawthat the huge metal drawbridge of DeGrey Castle had been pulled up tight.Between her and whoever was inside was a several-meter-wide moat of dark water.A few steps before that drop into the shadowy water, there was a small stonebuilding that had once been a medieval gatehouse.

Amelia saw a security camera onthe mossy stone exterior. It was pointed straight at her. She knew implicitlythat whoever was watching the security feed was instructing the two guards onhow to proceed.

Stepping out of her car, Ameliashifted her attention back to the fresh-faced guard.

“I’m sure you’re aware of whathappened this morning?” she said.

The guard nodded, but there washesitation.

“I am assuming that security has beentightened for that very reason?” she then asked.

“It’s been tightened for weeks,”the man replied.

“Walt!” the other guard, an olderman in sunglasses, said, stepping forward. “We have instructions not to talk toanyone. The press, remember?”

“I’ve seen the lady’s ID.”

Amelia thought it sweet that shewas being referred to as a lady. So much so that she hadn’t heard Finn andChief Constable Collins exit their cars and step up behind her.

“Lady?” Finn said, adjusting hissunglasses and looking over them. “Gentlemen, let’s not say anything we can’ttake back.”

“Would you try and actprofessional for once in your life?” Collins whispered under his breathalongside him. But if it was loud enough for Amelia to have heard, it certainlywas loud enough for the two guards.

The older guard took off hisglasses and gave Collins a puzzled look. “Are you sure you’re part of the investigation?”

Collins sighed. Now it was timefor him to show his standing. Amelia knew he hated waving his chief constableID around. He had told her under the strictest of confidence that he was stilluncomfortable having been promoted to chief constable at such a young age. Itwas a PR move to have him climb the ranks so quickly, and Rob clearly felt thestrain of the expectation.

Amelia always reminded him thatage was not a prerequisite for talent.

“I am Chief Constable RobertCollins,” he said in a commanding voice. “We would like to speak with MaggieDeGrey’s next of kin as part of our investigation. It’s only a preliminarychat, and I hope we can stay away from making it any more than that.”

If Finn had been brought in due tohis experience handling the rich and powerful during a murder investigation,those skills seemed to be rubbing off on the chief inspector.

Finn nudged Amelia in the sidegently and winked at her over the rim of his sunglasses.

The guard started to say, “I’msorry, I still can’t—”

But whoever had been watching onthe security camera had also been listening. The guard stopped talking, put hisfinger to his earpiece, and then, after a moment, said. “Right you are, sir.”

“Everything okay?” Finn asked witha wry grin.

“You are to go in,” the guardsaid. “But please… tread carefully. The family have been through a lot as itis.”

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