Her Perfect Family(24)



‘Look. You have the first wife’s full details now, Mel. We know there was some kind of mental-health crisis and Ed Hartley gave us the name of her clinic. So is there any word from Canada?’

Matthew has tried the clinic himself but drawn a blank – patient confidentiality. He’s praying Mel’s had more luck.

‘She discharged herself. A good while back.’

‘You’re kidding me?’ Now he understands her mood.

‘I wish. Also – the paperwork’s missing. The clinic’s had some bad media coverage lately over standards and security. Patients being released without proper supervision and follow-up. An undercover reporter did some secret filming, posing as a nurse. It’s been something of a scandal over there.’

‘Oh no, that’s not good. So do you know where the ex-wife is now?’

‘We’re liaising with the Canadians but you know how slowly those wheels grind, especially as I don’t yet have the full picture – proper grounds, I mean. They’re doing me a favour at this stage, checking the family address he gave you. But it seems out of date.’

Matthew twists his mouth to the side and narrows his eyes. ‘So why didn’t you arrest him, really? If you’re that cross. That worried. Why did you want to meet me instead?’

Melanie Sanders takes a deep breath and leans back in her seat. ‘OK. Cards on the table; I have something to ask you, Matt.’

He’s full-on curious now, widening his eyes to signal that she should continue.

‘As I said before I have the rare treat of a proper budget. They want this sorted so I have carte blanche to run this inquiry the way I want.’

‘Grief. The suits upstairs must really be worried.’

‘They are, Matt. We’ve got universities and tourist boards all over the country in meltdown. They know it’s not terrorism but some are worrying about copycats. They’re worrying about absolutely everything, to be perfectly honest with you. There’s loads of chatter online among students and parents, none of it good. And now I need to worry if someone in Canada is involved. So I need to work fast. And I need help.’

‘So?’

‘So I want to hire you, Matt. Officially. As a civilian expert. Profiler. Whatever you want to be called. I know I’m always joking about this but I’m deadly serious this time. I need you.’

Matthew pulls his chin back into his neck. ‘Can you even do that?’

‘On this one, I can do what the hell I like so long as I get the job done. Please say yes, Matt.’ A pause. ‘I really need you.’

Matthew feels a wave of something travel right through his body and cannot make out whether it is adrenaline, excitement or blind panic. Ever since he left the force, he’s wondered if there would be a road back one day but has always pushed the thought away. Setting up the business and working as a freelancer have created financial pressures that have demanded an entirely different mindset.

He looks at Mel and realises that deep down he’s hoped for this moment. But what about Sally? With Amelie playing up she’ll be wary, especially after the danger he put himself in at the cathedral.

‘This is a surprise, Mel. I honestly don’t know what to say.’ Fact is they’ve cooperated together informally on several cases and Mel’s forever joking about getting him ‘back on the force’, but never officially. Never openly.

‘There will be proper paperwork. A contract. Invoices and all that jazz. I can get HR to sort it all out, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

It isn’t that he’s worried about. It’s Sally he’s worried about. Also Amelie’s nightmares and her reluctance to go to nursery. Will working with Mel make this all worse for his family? Or better?

‘I need to think about it. And talk to Sal. You know how upset she was after the cathedral.’

‘Right. Yes. Of course.’ She’s staring at him. Her pale face is strained which he now realises is pure exhaustion. ‘Look, Matt. I’m going to the university next to speak to the chancellor. We’ve liaised by phone but she wants face to face to make a decision fast about the final graduation ceremony this Friday. The press want to know what’s happening. I’m not going to lie to you, I’m feeling the pressure and I’m worried about making the wrong call. I can’t win. If we cancel, we’re admitting we can’t keep people safe. If we go ahead and anything happens . . .’ She takes in a deep breath. ‘Will you come with me? Sit in on this meeting and the interview with Ed Hartley afterwards. Tell me what you think?’

‘And how will you explain me tagging along?’

‘I’ll think of something. Please say yes, Matt. Sit in with me today, see how you feel, and give me your decision about a more formal arrangement tomorrow. How does that sound?’

‘But don’t you need approval for this, Mel? I thought the National Crime Agency supplied their own experts?’

‘We’re short on numbers, as well you know. It’s pretty hand to mouth out there; they’re hiring retired detectives all over the country.’

‘But I’m not retired.’

‘Ex-job. Same thing. This will be up to me, Matt. Please say you’ll at least consider it? I’m up against the clock here.’

‘OK. I’ll do today. See how we go.’ He downs the rest of his coffee, trying once again to put a label on the feeling in his stomach.

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