Deadly Secrets (Detective Erika Foster #6)(24)

‘I’ll need to review all video that you have from formal interviews. I also want a full written report from you. And from McGorry. Is there anything you want to tell me?’

Erika looked at the floor.

‘Joseph’s father is a retired barrister… When we chased him, at the end of the chase, McGorry got involved in a tussle – well, a fight – with him. He was trying to stop him getting away… He held him by the strap that was around his neck.’

‘Define “held”?’ said Melanie.

‘The father, David Pitkin, said that he thought it was a chokehold.’

‘Was it a chokehold?’

‘It was in the heat of the moment. Joseph was throwing punches, he was on top of McGorry. John was acting in self-defence.’

‘But was it a chokehold?’

Erika scratched her head. ‘Yes. Bloody hell, yes.’

‘For how long?’

‘I don’t know. A few seconds, ten seconds.’

‘You understand that there will be a full investigation as to why Joseph Pitkin hung himself. He was on suicide watch.’

‘Why are suicide watch checks every fifteen minutes? A lot can be achieved in fifteen minutes. He tore off strips of his jeans, for God’s sake!’ Erika wiped tears away from her cheeks. She sat up and took a tissue. ‘I want to inform the parents.’

‘No. That’s not a good idea.’

‘He was in custody because of me.’

‘He was in custody because you had compelling evidence to arrest and question him. You have also had conflict with the family; they need someone impartial. I will go and inform them with a family liaison officer.’

‘I wasn’t aware he had any mental health issues. I don’t have his medical records, but he was examined by a doctor after our first, explosive interview, and the doctor was satisfied that he could be interviewed again, after a break. We didn’t get that far. He was a key part of my investigation…’

‘Okay. I need you to take the rest of the day off,’ said Melanie.

‘I’m off the case?’

‘No. I need to look over the interview footage, and I need to talk to the custody sergeant, and the arresting officers. I also need a written statement from you with all the details. I also want to talk to McGorry.’

Erika got up. ‘Okay.’

‘Just hold on, sit down.’

Erika sat back in her seat.

‘What?’

‘I’m going to say something you’re not going to like, but I want you to hear me out.’

‘Yes?’

‘You’ve been through a lot this year, Erika. It’s barely a week since you came off the murder-kidnap case.’

‘It’s ten days…’ Erika closed her eyes. It had been a harrowing case, involving a young couple, Nina Hargreaves and Max Hastings, who had committed a string of murders and robberies across London. The press, inevitably, had made a Bonnie and Clyde-style story out of it, and then Commander Marsh had made a fateful statement to the press, denouncing the two killers.

Marsh had thought he had been smart, giving them an ultimatum, but what he’d given them instead was a face and a name. It hadn’t taken long for Nina and Max to dig around in his personal life, and discover that Marsh’s wife came from a wealthy family, and that they had two young daughters.

They’d attacked Marcie when she was at home alone, and Nina Hargreaves had duped the nursery into thinking that she was the girls’ new nanny. This was when the case escalated to a full-blown kidnapping. Against all advice, Marsh and Marcie had paid a ransom of ￡200,000 – but it had only ended when Erika had managed to track Nina and Max down to where the twins were being held in a remote location on Dartmoor, in the south of England.

The subsequent bloodbath, where Max and Nina had turned on each other, was still imprinted on Erika’s mind. She’d rescued the twins, who were physically unhurt, but the emotional scars would take a long time to heal.

‘Erika! Erika!’

She opened her eyes. Melanie was looking at her with concern. ‘What happened there?’

‘Sorry. I’m tired, and still a bit shocked. Not only is it tragic when someone so young takes his own life – he was a key witness.’

Melanie took out her wallet and removed a card, handing it to Erika.

‘Dr G Priestley. Clinical Psychologist,’ she read, looking up at Melanie. ‘Is this for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘You think I’m crazy? Unbalanced?’

Melanie put up her hand. ‘No, I don’t. And before we go any further, I want to add that Dr Priestley is my doctor. I see him once a week.’

‘Therapy?’

‘Yes.’

Erika didn’t know what to say, and she looked down at the card again.

‘What is this? A referral? I come off another successful case and stop two multiple murderers and rescue the daughters of the borough commander, and I’m not congratulated, I’m put in therapy?’

‘Erika. No. This is me talking to you as a friend, or a colleague, privately. This is nothing to do with the Met, or any case, or the suicide of Joseph Pitkin. You are one of my finest officers, and I am confident that you will be back shortly and continuing work on this murder case, but this is what I want from you. It’s my duty to report if any of my officers are struggling with the pressures of work.’