The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(31)

‘Yes, sir. When I talked to him last night I picked up some very odd vibes. He seemed scared for some reason, and he was very relieved that she was out of the picture.’ He drew in a breath. ‘I’m sure a late-night heart-to-heart over a bottle of something strong would produce results.’

Jackman raised his hands. ‘Well, it’s up to you what you do and where you go in your time off. Is your passport up to date?’

‘Oh yes.’

‘How long does it take to get there?’

‘London to la Coruna? Just over two hours, I think.’

‘Then you’d better go pack your sunglasses.’

‘Jammy git,’ Max growled. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

‘Because your only brain cell is too busy concentrating on a certain WDC.’ Charlie grinned broadly at his friend.

Max and Rosie had been going out for several months now, and Max was clearly very smitten.

Jackman called his detectives to order. ‘Back to work, guys! We need to keep at this. There is only so much that her ex can tell us — and it’s past history. I want to know what Suzanne did just before she disappeared.’

The team returned to their desks, and Jackman called Marie to his office. ‘How are things going with the super’s niece?’

Marie told him what she knew. ‘I really don’t like it, sir. The stalker is too damned clever. It’s far too organised. Carter still thinks it’s a kid who is totally infatuated with Leah, but . . .’ She shook her head.

‘You think otherwise.’

‘I do. But we’ve hit a brick wall. Although I don’t like it, we’ve no alternative but to watch the girl and wait until he tries something else.’

‘Well, I’m about to take a look at the Holland home. It’s remained empty since the night she went missing. Want a short break from obsessive admirers?’

‘Sure, I’ll come with you. I’ll grab a pool car.’ Marie turned to go.

‘Hold on.’ Jackman beckoned her back. ‘How is Carter today?’

‘Last time I saw him he was heads down with Rosie. They seem to be really coming to grips with getting the Cannon family drugs case ready for presentation.’

‘That’s a relief. If anyone can make it watertight, McLean can, but we all know what the Crown Prosecution Service is like.’

Marie nodded grimly. She had seen numerous cases thrown out or stopped by the prosecutor in what was called “discontinuance.” Some of these had taken months, even years of painstaking work. It was galling and disheartening, and she hoped it wouldn’t happen to the Cannon family case.

‘He seems happy enough working with Rosie, don’t you think?’ Jackman asked.

Marie thought for a while. ‘Yes, but as I said before, it’s a double-edged sword. He needs to prove to himself, and us, that he’s fully capable of doing whatever is asked of him, yet he’s scared to move forward. Hence he’s accepted the soft option to help out Rosie. But I’m certain part of him wants to be back in the thick of it.’

‘I get that, don’t you?’

Marie nodded. ‘I also get the feeling he’s a time bomb waiting to go off. Whenever I walk past him I swear I hear ticking.’

‘In that case, I’m going to leave him where he is for the time being. I don’t want to be the cause of a good detective imploding.’

‘He has to get back in the saddle at some point, or he’ll never know if he can ride again. But I’m mighty glad you are taking it slowly.’

‘Damage limitation, that’s all it is. Now, go get a car.’

*

Half an hour later, Marie and Jackman were making their way along the Black Sluice towpath. Few people used this lonely stretch of path, which wasn’t exactly pretty.

Jackman looked at the greenish-brown water of the river. ‘Oh dear, what a miserable place to live.’

‘Or die?’

‘Most likely.’

‘Even if it was an area of outstanding natural beauty, violent death is violent death,’ said Marie. ‘It’s horrible no matter where it takes place.’

‘Agreed, but look at this spot.’ He pointed to a dirty piece of police tape still strung across the gateway to an old fen cottage. ‘It’s beyond dismal.’

‘We could have driven down the slip road to the back of the cottage. It’s the only way to get to it in a vehicle.’

Jackman smiled at Marie. ‘I wanted to get an idea of the setting. And I thought a walk might help blow away some of the cobwebs from that overworked brain of yours. I’ve never seen you look so preoccupied. And so bloody tired.’ Marie said nothing. ‘Oh, I know what is worrying you. I just don’t know how to help.’

‘It’ll all come out in the wash, as my mum always says.’ Marie shook her head. ‘I appreciate your concern, Jackman, but I think this is one of those awful times when you just have to wait and see what happens.’

‘How do you see the future for Carter?’

Marie sighed. ‘I dread to think.’

Jackman stared at the sad old property, weathered, tired and unloved. ‘If things are really so dire, Marie, I might have to recommend that he be retired out.’

‘No! You can’t do that, sir! He’s working through it, I know he is. He just needs a bit more time.’ She took hold of his arm. ‘Please, he’s really trying hard. I know I shouldn’t bring all my worries about him to work with me, but with our support, he’ll get stronger. Then he’ll be able to decide which is the right way for him to go.’