The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(25)

He looked up at her wearily. ‘You really don’t want to know.’

‘Another bad night?’ Marie felt a rush of concern for him. No matter what Laura advised, her anxiety about Carter would always be there.

And he looked awful. He was hollow-eyed, and his skin had a sickly pallor. Even his hair lacked its usual healthy sheen. He needed sleep. Everyone needed sleep to function properly.

He grinned at her. ‘So, clever clogs, how did I manage to get all this work put to bed? I’ve collated six files of evidence reports and witness statements for the Cannon case, and I’ll challenge you to find any cock-ups in it.’ He jerked his thumb towards a neatly stacked mountain of files.

‘You can do that office stuff with your eyes closed, and you know it. It’s one of the things I’ve always hated about you.’ She looked at him. ‘It’s not the reports, it’s all the rest that bothers me.’

He pushed back his chair and summoned up the energy to smile at her. ‘Sorry, Mother. I do have some good news though. Drag up a pew and I’ll fill you in on exactly why I’m so knackered.’

Marie pulled a chair towards his desk. ‘Do we need a couple of strong coffees for this?’

‘Oh, we do, but I’ll send one of the rookies out for the real thing, not that dishwater our machine produces. Fancy a Danish?’

‘Why not?’ Marie stared down at her slightly rounded stomach. ‘What’s a few thousand calories between friends? I’ll have a pecan and maple syrup, if they’ve got one.’

Carter went to his open door and shouted, ‘Whoever wants a trip to Pierre’s can treat themselves to a fresh coffee and the bun of their choice!’ Then he stood back and waited for the thunder of policemen’s boots.

A young DC with jet black spiky hair and a fierce grin beat two others to his door. He held out his hand. Carter passed him a twenty, rattled off their order and returned to his desk. ‘While we wait, you can tell me all about your special dinner for two with Gary Pritchard.’

Marie rubbed her hands together. ‘Oh my! Can that man cook! Homely stuff, but he’s definitely in the wrong job. People would pay good money to taste food that good.’

‘So your bijou residence is about to become a select village restaurant?’

‘No way. He’s mine! All mine!’ She looked towards the door. ‘Hell, Carter, I can’t wait for Kieran to get back. What’s this good news?’

He leant towards her and whispered, ‘I found Ray’s money.’

She let out a whistle. ‘Great! And was it with Crazy Silas?’

‘As good as.’

Marie sat back and listened to Carter’s story.

‘I’ve already spoken to Joanne. I caught her before she left for work. I’m going to see her in her lunch hour. Would you come with me?’

Marie’s heart sank. He looked so hopeful. ‘But I don’t even know the girl, Carter. I’m sure she won’t want some stranger sitting in on your conversation.’

‘Please?’ Carter bit his lip. ‘It’s going to be very emotional for both of us. I’d be much happier if you were there with me.’

Marie stared at him. His exhausted pallor accentuated that “little boy lost” expression of his, and haggard or not, he was still scarily handsome. Carter McLean was exactly the kind of man that would have attracted her — if she had been on the lookout for someone, but after Bill . . . once again, she felt her resolve fading away. ‘Oh, okay. But lunch is on you, right?’

‘Absolutely. Scarlett’s Deli. Anything you want.’

‘This could cost you, my friend.’

‘It’ll be worth it.’ Carter looked up as the spiky-haired constable entered the office. ‘Thanks, Kieran. Did you get something for yourself?’

The lad nodded and waved another small bag. ‘Thank you, sir. Iced Belgian bun.’ He left, pulling the door closed after him.

‘Door! Leave the bloody door! How many times do I sodding well have to tell you?’

Marie took a deep breath. She’d heard it a hundred times since the accident, and every time she cursed the youngsters for their thoughtlessness. It was a small thing, after all.

‘Sorry! Sorry, sir.’ Kieran pushed the door right back against the wall and beat a hasty retreat, clutching his bag to his chest.

‘Okay, so where are we meeting Joanne?’

‘Uh? Oh yes, she works for the big DIY store on the Fenton Estate.’ Marie could see him pulling himself together. ‘There’s a garden and a seating area on the river bank, right next door to the store. I said we’d meet her there.’

‘Do you have any idea what you are going to say? Or are you winging it?’

‘I’ve got a vague idea, but I guess it’ll depend on how she reacts. She’s a down-to-earth sort of girl. I think she’ll be pretty overwhelmed by it all.’

Marie puffed out her cheeks. ‘Yeah, a year and a half down the road, and she suddenly gets given a bag of money that she never knew existed. I’d certainly be overwhelmed.’ She shook her head. ‘Just keep it simple, okay. It’ll be a shock, so don’t overdo the explanations.’

‘Fair enough. That’ll make it easier for me too.’

Marie sighed. It was going to be awful. She wished he had decided to mail the bag to the girl anonymously. She took a bite from her Danish and chewed thoughtfully. ‘So who is next?’