The atmosphere changed immediately, from the hubbub of the station to the refined calm of a gentlemen’s club, except that the room’s occupant was a woman. He had last seen her in the corridor before, when he had brought Christina in. Her head was down, looking at some papers, her hair cut short and streaked by grey. There were paintings of hills on the walls and a wine-coloured leather chair dominated one corner, high-backed, as if it was just short of a cigar and whisky glass. Framed family pictures were on a cabinet, although Sheldon kept his focus on her as he stood in front of the desk, his hands clasped in front of him, and waited for Dixon to notice he was there.
When she did look up, Sheldon said, ‘You wanted to see me, ma’am.’
Chief Inspector Dixon pointed to the chair in front of the desk. ‘Sit down, Sheldon, please.’ Her voice sounded tired, and as he got a better look at her, he saw dark rings under her eyes and broken veins just starting to flush across her cheeks.
Sheldon did as he was asked, his legs tightly together, his hands on his knees.
Dixon leaned forward, her arms folded on the desk, and stared at Sheldon. ‘We know now that the body found last night is Billy Privett.’
Sheldon didn’t respond, except for a small stretch of his neck, his collar too tight.
‘How do you feel about that?’ Dixon said.
Sheldon gave a small cough before he spoke. ‘I don’t know, ma’am, if I’m honest. I feel for Alice’s family, because the secret of her murder may go to the grave with Billy Privett, but at the same time I feel like there is something fateful about it – that if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it was him.’
The Chief nodded and then twirled a pen slowly in her hand. ‘I want you to handle the investigation, Sheldon. I know that FMIT want it, but I’m fighting for you to keep it. The answers will come from local people, and you were very close to Alice’s case. You know all about Billy Privett.’
Sheldon licked his lips. He tasted sweat. ‘That’s why I should have it. I know about Billy, and the victim is where murder cases should start.’
‘But you need to be careful, Sheldon.’
A pause, and then, ‘What do you mean?’ His fingers gripped his knees tighter.
Dixon stared at Sheldon. ‘I’m taking a risk for you, and giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself, and to prove that this station is worth keeping open. You’re a good officer, I know that, but I don’t want a repeat of what happened when Billy Privett was a suspect.’
‘I don’t understand.’
Dixon put her pen down and put her hands together. ‘You do understand, and don’t make me force you from the team. Alice’s case made you ill, you know that. It was taken from you because you didn’t get anywhere. And I know what has been going on, with you and Billy Privett.’
Sheldon looked down. He rubbed his left hand with the fingers of his right.
‘Billy complained, Sheldon.’
Sheldon looked up. ‘About what?’
‘About you. You were harassing him, watching him all the time, parking on his street, following him when he went out.’
‘I didn’t do anything wrong, ma’am.’
‘Don’t take me for a fool. I know that you were doing this on your days off, just sitting in your car, watching Billy’s house. The case had stopped being yours by then.’
Sheldon brushed some lint from his knee. The room had got warmer. ‘I was just trying to find answers,’ he said eventually.
‘And did you?’
He shook his head. ‘No, I didn’t.’
The Chief smiled, although it looked forced. ‘So show everyone that I’m right. I’m fighting for you, but I’ll be watching. If I see that you are going the same way, I’ll stop everything. Keep me up to date.’
‘I thought FMIT were coming over today, ma’am.’
‘I’ve stalled them,’ she said. ‘So can you do it?’
Sheldon took a deep breath. ‘I can.’
Dixon nodded her approval. ‘Don’t forget to keep me updated,’ she said, and then pointed towards the door. The meeting was over.
Sheldon didn’t say anything as he left, and once he got outside, he leant back against the wall and closed his eyes.
He stayed like that for a few seconds, listening to the chatter filtering down from the Incident Room, and then pushed away from the wall. He ran his fingers around his collar. It felt damp from perspiration.
It was time to take control.
Chapter Fifteen
Charlie looked out of his window. The kids in black had gone, as had Ted and the press. He had watched as Amelia gave her quote, and since then, the street had returned to normal.
Donia was in the corner of the room, reading files, just to get a taste of what being a criminal lawyer was all about. It’s the files that earn the money, not what happens in court. That’s just a sideshow. Playing out, Charlie called it, when he got to have some fun. The real work was done in the office, clocking up billable hours reading police statements.
Charlie turned round quickly and caught Donia looking at him. Her eyes darted back to her file, and he saw a flush jump into her cheeks. He was going to say something, but she was only going to be with him for a week. There was no point in making friends.
He left his office and went towards Amelia’s, leaning against the doorframe once he got there. Amelia was looking at her desk, a dictation machine in her hand, but she wasn’t saying anything into it.
It was a few seconds before she noticed him.
When she looked up, he said, ‘What’s going on?’
She shook her head. ‘Nothing,’ she said, but it came out too quickly.
‘Come on, Amelia. You’re staring into space. Our office was burgled, and it was your room they went through, not mine. And your two goons in suits were hanging around outside.’
‘Goons?’
‘Those clients of yours. They were coming out as I came in, except they didn’t seem keen on moving on.’
Amelia leaned back in her chair and sighed. She looked tired. Charlie detected some vulnerability he didn’t normally see. ‘I’ve told you, it’s nothing.’
He stared at her, and she held his stare. He was aware of Linda, the receptionist and secretary, becoming suddenly interested in her computer screen, and so he stepped into the room and closed the door.
‘It’s my business too,’ Charlie said. ‘We’re partners, remember, and I don’t normally see you like this.’
‘I didn’t know you did caring.’
‘And I didn’t know you did vulnerable, so come on, Amelia, what’s going on? Are there bills we haven’t paid or something?’
That made Amelia smile. She considered Charlie for a few seconds, and then shook her head. ‘It’s nothing to worry about, like I’ve said.’
Charlie wasn’t convinced, but if Amelia didn’t want to tell, he knew that was the end of the discussion.
‘If we have a problem, I need to know,’ he said. ‘Promise me you’ll tell me.’
She nodded, and then said, ‘What are you doing for the rest of the day?’
‘I’ve