The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2)(73)

Just enough time to tie up her hair and apply a little make-up to disguise the paleness of her cheeks. Amy ended the call, buttoning up her shirt as her thoughts raced ahead. All she wanted was to do her job unhindered, with her team’s full support. Was she asking for too much? Would life ever be the same again?

Sliding into the back of Paddy’s Jag, she felt like a reluctant reality-TV star. She could almost hear the narration providing a backdrop to her car-crash life. Tune in this week to see Amy stumble from one disaster to another. We’ll be discussing last night’s meltdown, then on to her childhood with Lillian Grimes. Such thoughts only served to worsen her mood. ‘Thanks for the lift,’ she said begrudgingly, eyeing Paddy in the mirror as he drove.

He sighed. ‘Look. About last night. My timing was off. I didn’t mean any offence.’

‘As you said, water under the bridge.’ She made a silent pact to keep her father’s tradition of a stiff upper lip. She could iron out the problems with her colleagues later on. ‘What’s the story with this radio interview?’

‘Another attempt at exposure, given the newspaper story didn’t work out. I thought we could log on to the station’s website in the briefing room and play it there. I’ve texted the team and asked them to come in early doors.’

‘Right,’ Amy said, as Paddy braked at the traffic lights. Regardless of what was said, she should not have stormed out. It was behaviour unfitting for a DI. She tuned into Paddy’s narrative as he brought her up to speed.

‘The station was running a call-in about missing children, and how white middle-class families get more coverage than ethnic minorities and kids from disadvantaged homes. Luka talked about Toby going missing and how upset he was.’

‘So he played the victim?’

‘Yup. The presenter presumed he was Toby’s father. Can you believe that? But when he started banging on about Dr Curtis they cut him short. We’ll know more when we listen for ourselves.’

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of Amy’s phone. It was DCI Pike, speaking in clipped tones. ‘Winter? I need to speak to you urgently. Are you on your way in?’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ Amy replied, noting her formal tone. ‘We’re almost at the station.’

‘Come straight to my office.’ The line went dead as she hung up. This was serious. Was it about last night? Pike never arrived at work before her, much less summoned her before 8 a.m. Surely Ellen and Toby took precedence over all of this. But would Amy be allowed to supervise her team as they investigated the case?





CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

‘Let me close the window.’ Pike rose from her chair as Amy took a seat. ‘We don’t want the press listening in.’ She stretched forward as she pulled it shut, blinking against the early-morning sunshine streaming in.

Amy felt a tinge of annoyance at the subtle dig. They would need superhero powers to eavesdrop on this floor from outside. Still, the barbed comment was justified. Since joining the team, she had brought them nothing but grief. Her eyes roved Pike’s office. She’d had a visitor, because for once her workspace was clear. No browning apple cores, no books with cracked spines left face down on her desk. As always, the smell of fresh coffee lingered in the air. Amy’s mouth watered. She had arrived in such a rush; there had been no time to make a cuppa.

Catching her gaze, Pike poured her a cup. ‘I wanted to see you before the briefing,’ she said, passing it over.

Amy closed her eyes as she sipped, allowing herself a quick but luxurious inhalation of Colombian fine blend. She had a full day ahead of her, a ton of paperwork to review, her call with Luka and she had no idea what Pike was going to throw up next. Paddy had assured her that last night’s incident had gone no further than their four walls but, sitting in her DCI’s office, Amy was not so sure.

Pike surveyed her over the rim of her coffee cup. ‘I’ve been thinking about all this press attention. It’s not going away anytime soon.’

Amy sighed. They should be discussing Toby’s case, not the limelight being thrust upon her. Why was her senior officer so lacking when it came to serious crime? Yes, admin was necessary, as well as keeping senior officers happy. But behind all of this was a vulnerable little boy and a four-year-old girl who had disappeared into thin air. Amy’s frustration grew as the sense of urgency hit home. Thanks to Luka’s radio call-in, Amy would be hanged, drawn and quartered if it all went horribly wrong. ‘Have you heard the radio show?’ she said, in an effort to change the subject. ‘Paddy’s downloading it now.’

‘I’m sure he is, and if there’s anything urgent he’ll keep us informed.’ The smallest of stand-offs passed between them. All that could be heard was the ticking of her wall clock and the dull hum of traffic as commuters battled to get to work. ‘I’m talking about damage control,’ Pike continued. ‘You do realise the command team will be all over this negative publicity like a rash?’

‘Of course, but I—’

‘Then it’s imperative we work out the best way to approach this before they haul me over the coals. Luckily for you, I’ve got an idea that should help. I’m pitching it to them after the briefing. It’s our best shot.’

‘I see,’ Amy said, her eyes flicking up to the clock on the wall. Each second counted down with damning finality. If Pike wanted to frustrate her, she was doing a good job.