The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(47)

‘Could be right, sir. Danny isn’t bright enough to have worked all that out on his own. He’s had help from someone alright.’ His face darkened. ‘But are we thinking his benefactor was a villain who knows our ways better than we do, or someone on this side of the fence?’

Jackman tensed. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Carter. A villain with a grudge against Ruth Crooke would be my first guess.’

Carter nodded. ‘I don’t like the woman and I’ve never pretended otherwise, but this was nasty.’

‘Very, and I think it’s really shaken her. She’s a tough woman, but one’s brain goes into overdrive when a youngster gets taken.’ Jackman put his elbows on the desk. ‘Now, if I can just get one thing straight about what happened. You took off alone in order to keep Marie out of your shady dealings with your informants?’

Carter nodded. ‘Yes, sir. Marie is straight as a die, as was Bill, her husband, but . . .’

‘As you said, you used to bend the rules. And now?’

‘We work for a different kind of force now, sir. I’m aware that things have changed, and the old ways don’t work anymore. I know I pulled a fast one today, but it won’t happen again, I promise you.’

Jackman sighed. ‘It had better not, Carter, because your behaviour was unacceptable. We are team players in this office, every one of us. But . . .’ he looked hard at Carter, ‘you did get Leah home safely and unharmed.’

‘And before nightfall.’ There was the hint of a smile on Carter’s face. ‘I can’t believe I actually said that. How melodramatic!’

‘Where are you with the Cannon drugs case?’

‘End stage. Rosie and I are pretty well through.’

‘And your opinion?’

‘If the CPS throw this out, there truly is no justice in this world. We’ve sewn it up tighter than a duck’s proverbial.’

Jackman made his decision. ‘Okay. Then when you are ready, perhaps you would talk to the team about Suzanne Holland? I believe our good intentions to wrap you in cotton wool were somewhat misguided. And we’ve been missing a trick by not using your knowledge of the Hollands.’

‘I’m on the case?’

‘If there is anything left of you after you’ve seen the super, yes.’

Carter sat up straighter, looking determined. ‘Talking about the super, is she back from the hospital yet, sir? I think it’s down to me to apologise this time,’ Carter inhaled, ‘even if it does go against the grain.’

‘I think that would be a very sensible career move, Sergeant. And, no, she’s still with Leah.’

Carter smiled. ‘She wasn’t harmed, sir, and she was very switched on. As soon as she knew she was no longer in danger, she was well up for staying in the back of that van and taking a look at the creep who had had her abducted. She’s one feisty young woman.’

‘What about the two men that Danny hired to bring her to him?’

‘Got away.’ Carter scowled. ‘I was on the radio almost immediately, but they must have had a car close by.’

‘You know who they are, don’t you?’

Carter didn’t answer immediately. ‘I, er, made a few promises, sir. I had to, in order to catch Danny red-handed. I could have just taken Leah home, but then Danny would have scarpered, and she would still be looking over her shoulder. So I convinced his two foot soldiers to complete their job.’

‘In return, you develop amnesia, and maybe give them a head start?’

‘Me, sir?’ Carter assumed a shocked expression.

‘You, Carter. It stops right here, okay? I don’t want to know how you manipulated this little scenario. All I want is this CID office running as it should do — within the boundaries of the law.’

‘Understood. You’ll get no more trouble from me, sir. I promise.’

‘You will still have a lot of explaining to do to the superintendent, so I suggest that you make sure your story holds up.’ Jackman knew that Carter’s debriefing would be as tightly sewn up as the Cannon case. He was very good at tidying up loose ends, and if Ruth Crooke’s niece backed him up, he would be off the hook. ‘Right, final warning, Detective, just behave! No solo missions, okay? Or it’s back to that desk for you, and you’ll never leave it again.’ Jackman was beginning to feel like a headmaster forced to admonish one of his star pupils. ‘And one last thing, if the Holland case proves to be too much, you must talk to me. That’s an order. Plus, I want you to have regular chats with Laura Archer while you are working it.’

Carter nodded eagerly. ‘Received and understood. And thank you, sir.’





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

‘Isn’t that Suzanne’s brother — or half-brother rather? Is he in the frame for this?’ Carter stared at the image displayed on the whiteboard.

Marie and Jackman looked at each other.

‘Suzanne’s brother?’ Marie asked.

Carter looked puzzled. ‘Well, yes. Why?’

‘Do you know him?’ asked Marie.

‘No, but I’ve seen him two or three times.’ The corners of his mouth turned down. ‘Not the kind of guy I’d fancy socialising with.’

‘How so?’