The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2)(65)

‘How?’ Amy shifted in her seat, keeping one ear on the police radio. Updates were flooding in, confirming Stuart Coughlan was alive and well.

‘I didn’t have sex with that probationer. It was all lies.’ Steve’s brow creased as he seemed to recall the moment that had sent his career spiralling out of control. ‘One late shift she came into my office. She was acting all flirty and plonked herself on my knee. I thought it was a wind-up and was about to tell her to get off when Pike burst in. I’d been set up. Pike doesn’t even work late shifts.’

Amy watched Steve’s expression as he recounted his story.

‘I like a bit of banter as much as the next person, but I never touched that girl.’ He slowed the car as he paused at a junction, deactivating the sirens. They were almost at Stuart Coughlan’s address and, given he was safe, the justification for the blue-light run had changed. Steve was confident in his decisions, and Amy had come to know him better in the last few weeks. It was unlike him to jeopardise his career for a quick fumble in the office, and he was right, Pike rarely worked late shifts.

‘Why didn’t you fight it? Tell the truth?’

‘My federation rep told me to tread carefully because Pike had some powerful friends at the top. Pike must have got nervous, because she took me aside and said she’d transfer me to our unit if I let the matter drop. I knew I would never get promoted unless I fixed things. I hoped it would be a fresh start.’

‘What happened with Molly . . .’ Amy began, referring to an incident when he had first joined the team.

‘It was banter. For Christ’s sake, the girl is gay and dippy as hell. I was joking with her.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Amy said. ‘I didn’t give you the warmest of welcomes when you joined.’

‘You were only going by what everyone else had told you.’

‘I should have checked the facts.’ Amy had spoken to a couple of Steve’s ex-colleagues who had been keen to repeat the gossip they had heard. She should have gone to the source of all this – the probationer who made the report.

Steve flicked on the indicator as he pulled over at the address. Before them, a high-rise tower loomed. ‘I’ve got a fifteen-year-old daughter, responsibilities of my own. I know it’s no excuse, but . . .’ They exchanged a glance. ‘The culture has changed massively since I joined the police and I’m still getting to grips with it all.’

The big question was: Why? Why was Pike gambling her career and marriage by having mindless affairs?

Steve pulled up the handbrake after parking behind a marked police car.

‘I’ll make some inquiries,’ Amy said, knowing she would have to handle the situation with kid gloves. If Steve was telling the truth, she would get to the bottom of it. For the hundredth time, she wished her father were there to help. He had left very big shoes to fill.

Unbuckling his seat belt, Steve placed a hand on the car door. ‘Feel free, but don’t make things any worse for me.’

‘I’ll be discreet,’ Amy replied. Stepping outside, she was rewarded with a cool, crisp breeze. She focused her thoughts on the job ahead. Whatever had happened with Steve would have to wait. She had two children to bring home, and Stuart Coughlan was giving her answers – whether he liked it or not.





CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

As he paced the confines of his flat, Stuart felt as if his heart was going to explode. It was beating at a rate that seemed impossible to maintain and his guts were all twisted in knots. Dr Curtis didn’t want to know. Deborah was only thinking of herself, and Christina . . . she had freaked out when he called her with the news, saying that her family were next. The only person who genuinely cared was his girlfriend, Jodie, who knew little about his past.

‘I don’t get it,’ she said. ‘Why did you make those coppers leave?’ She put a halt to his pacing as she stood in front of him. He was several inches taller than her, but she glared at him with an insistence that was hard to ignore.

He paused, considering his answer. ‘Because they couldn’t help. There’s a detective on her way over. She knows things about Toby’s case. I won’t talk to anyone but her.’

‘Toby’s case? What aren’t you telling me?’ Jodie looked tired. She had already torn a strip off him for leaving it so long before involving the law. Her hair was unwashed and her eyes red-rimmed, but she held it together for him. She loved Toby with all her heart, but she would leave them both if she knew the ugly truth. A sharp knock at the door made him jolt. Exchanging a glance with Jodie, he turned to answer it.

A determined-looking woman in a business suit raised her warrant card in the air. ‘I’m DI Winter. Can we come in?’ She was short but authoritative, and Stuart had a feeling he’d seen her somewhere before. Behind her stood a broad-shouldered man who introduced himself as DC Steve Moss. Their combined presence was commanding, and Stuart found himself allowing them into his flat.

‘Maybe you lot can explain what’s going on.’ Jodie looked from Stuart to the police officers, her voice sharp with concern.

‘And you are?’ DI Winter began.

‘Jodie Attreed. She’s Toby’s childminder.’ Stuart sighed. Jodie was not leaving until she knew that Toby was safe. ‘She’s also my girlfriend. You can say what you like in front of her.’