‘She’s very keen on ethnic diversity.’ Laura leaned in close and whispered. ‘There’s a feeling she’s selected a few black probationary officers who are not up to scratch.’
Jack found the CID office running very smoothly, but DCI Clarke’s list of ‘rules’ pinned on the noticeboard, along with his obsession that every officer give details of their whereabouts throughout the day, was a tad irritating. Also listed were the specific times the detectives and civilian staff could take refreshment breaks to ensure the offices were continuously manned. Clarke had also instigated an office briefing in the boardroom every Monday at eight o’clock.
Jack spent the morning sifting through all the cases currently being investigated and those already assigned for court appearances. He did not meet Anik’s replacement until late afternoon, as she had been at the Old Bailey. She was tall, wearing a smart tailored suit, a stiff collared shirt and high heels. Her dark brown hair was swept back and tied in a short ponytail. She acknowledged Jack’s presence with a polite nod and placed a very expensive briefcase on her desk before going directly into DCI Clarke’s office.
It was after five and Jack was about to call it a day when Armani came out from Clarke’s office and walked briskly towards him. He promptly stood up. She was slightly taller than him, and her handshake was strong. She was attractive, with dark eyes, arched eyebrows and a wide, thin-lipped mouth.
‘Jack, I’ve heard very good things about you and look forward to working alongside you. We have nothing too demanding right now, but you know it’s always that way... the calm before the storm.’ She cocked her head to one side, giving him a tight-lipped smile. ‘No doubt that will be a relief as I believe you have had some emotional issues.’
‘Everything is fine, back to so-called normal,’ he said lightly, trying hard to conceal his irritation.
‘Good to hear it, and you know I am always open to an informal chat if you feel concerned about anything or how we’ve been running the station since you’ve been on sick leave.’
Jack managed to keep his cool despite her heavy-handed reference to his sick leave. He already knew she would be the last person he would ever want to have any informal bloody chats with.
The CID room had slowly become busier, with a number of young officers of varying ethnicities entering the briefing room. Jack never normally noticed the ethnicity of his colleagues, but the ratio was clearly tipped in the direction of minorities which suggested an operation that required this specific approach. Jack felt the adrenalin build as he waited to find out more. He definitely felt ready to get stuck into work again. And, as Armani approached his desk, he hoped she was about to get him up to speed ahead of the new recruits.
‘Ready to get back on the horse, Jack?’
He smiled and nodded, but, again, wasn’t very happy with her choice of words.
‘We have a female victim,’ she continued, ‘subjected to a vicious attack from her husband, called 999, and he was arrested, but she later refused to make a statement. She said it was an accident, and her husband was released from custody.’
‘A domestic?’ Jack glanced towards the briefing room, still filling with officers clearly about to be briefed on a big operation of some kind.
Armani couldn’t help noting his lack of enthusiasm. ‘If you read the report you will see that she suffered substantial injuries which required an ambulance to attend. I believe she lied about it being an accident through fear of further abuse by her husband. I’m sorry you feel she might be a waste of your time, DS Warr. I was hoping you might be able to allay her fears and change her mind. Or maybe your people skills have been exaggerated.’ She ended with a glare.
He raised his hands in a submissive gesture. ‘I have read the report and I’m sure you’re right about being afraid of her husband. I’ll be there first thing in the morning and see if I can persuade her to change her mind.’
Jack couldn’t help noting that the victim’s address was near Ladbroke Grove, a stone’s throw from Portobello Road.
Maggie had had a very long, hard day at the hospital and arrived home after Jack, who was in the kitchen with Penny as she made a stew. Hannah was in her room watching TV, and Charlie was already in his cot. Maggie slumped down in a dining chair, and Jack put a glass of chilled white wine in her outstretched hand.
‘There’s a bottle of formula ready for his next feed. You enjoy your wine.’
Maggie sighed. ‘Oh boy, do I need this. I’ve had a nightmare day. We’re so short-staffed, we have patients lined up in corridors with no beds because they are all filled with old people who are chomping at the bit to go home. But getting their transport and social services organised is impossible. What about you?’
Jack described his interactions with DI Armani.
‘I bet she’s well dressed, at least,’ Maggie quipped.
‘She is, actually,’ Jack said. ‘Apparently, she’s got a psychology degree. She’s the kind of person who likes you to know that she knows everything. According to Laura, she was fast-tracked to get a promotion, and she has DCI Clarke in the palm of her hand.’
‘Well, don’t you antagonise her. Keep your head down.’
‘I will. But I think she’s already picking on me. She’s got me on a bloody domestic.’ Jack handed Maggie a DVD. ‘Fancy a movie night? It’s that film I was telling you about, The Third Man. Watch it in bed?’
Maggie smiled. ‘You watch. I’ll sleep.’ Then she went upstairs with her wine to have a shower.
By the time they’d finished dinner, it was almost ten. Penny went to her bedroom as Jack cleared the kitchen and Maggie was pouring the remains of the wine into two glasses.
‘You sure you’re too tired to watch the movie?’ Jack asked, closing the dishwasher.
Maggie picked up the DVD and read the back. ‘It’s black and white. What’s so special about it?’
‘I don’t know. The theme tune is Adam Border’s ringtone, remember, so we just got talking about the film.’
Maggie rolled her eyes. ‘I can’t wait to meet the man who has such an effect on you, Jack. Come on, let’s get into bed and watch it.’
They were both propped up with pillows as the film started. Neither said a word as they watched for half an hour. Maggie turned to see that Jack was fast asleep. She sighed because, as tired as she was, she had decided to watch it all. When the credits rolled, she turned the movie off and lay back. Something about the movie disturbed her, and even after closing her eyes and settling down, she could not get to sleep.
Jack woke early and went down to the kitchen to make Maggie a cup of tea so she could drink it in bed. When he returned, she was frowning.
‘I watched the entire bloody film and then, when I was trying to sleep, that bloody theme tune kept on playing in my head.’ Jack smiled and kissed her as he handed over the tea. They could hear Penny and Hannah laughing, but thankfully Charlie was still asleep for now.
‘Do you need the car today, Jack?’
He hesitated before answering, ‘I wouldn’t mind. I have to interview the domestic assault victim. But if you need it then I’ll go by tube.’
‘You take it. I might be home late again tonight. We have a new surgeon, and he’ll certainly have his work cut out for him, to coin a phrase. I’ve got a late start, so I’ll get an Uber.’ Maggie cupped the mug of tea in her hands as Jack sorted out what he would wear. ‘You know the film was quite good. It’s about lies and betrayal and people hiding from the truth, and from themselves, I guess. But mostly it’s about friendship, or what this one guy thought was a friendship...’ Maggie sipped her tea. ‘It’s about... who can you trust?’