‘Sounds like it’s all coming together nicely — the DCI will be pleased.’
‘We’ll see.’ Jane doubted Murphy would be pleased with anything she did at the moment. ‘I’ve got some follow-up work to do on the four men, and the previous ownership of garage twenty-nine. I’m hoping it will give us something positive to work on.’
‘Be interesting to hear at the office meeting if anyone else has discovered anything of value. You fancy a bacon sarnie and coffee from the burger van?’
‘A bacon roll would be great — I’ll put the kettle on and make us a coffee.’
She reached into her handbag and got some money out of her purse.
‘I’ll get them — your shout next time.’
‘OK. Could I have some brown sauce with mine, please?’
While the kettle boiled Jane put the drawers back in her desk, reconnected the phone and went over to Katie’s desk to get the typewriter so she could finish typing her report. She noticed that Katie had only started typing one of the handwritten statements taken from the security guards and part of it was still in the typewriter. She sat down at Katie’s desk and began to type the rest of the statement.
When Dabs returned with the bacon rolls, Jane made the coffees and sat at her own desk to eat. She could imagine Katie’s reaction if she got any crumbs or brown sauce on hers. Dabs said he had a few things to do before the meeting and went to his office. After finishing her roll, she went back to typing up the statement at Katie’s desk, and was just about finished when Katie walked in.
Jane smiled brightly. ‘Good morning, Katie. I was just—’
‘What are you doing at my desk?’ she snapped.
‘I needed the typewriter for my report and thought I’d finish the security guards’ statement for you before I used it.’
‘I’m perfectly capable of doing my own typing.’
Jane took a deep breath. ‘Sorry. I thought you wanted help typing the statements.’
‘I did last night, but I’ve cleared my desk of other work so I can do them today.’
‘Well, if you want me to do some just let me know,’ Jane said with a shrug.
Katie pointed to a typewriter on the Colonel’s desk.
‘There’s a spare one there you can use for your reports. Why have you moved your desk?’
Jane thought it was obvious. ‘I thought it would be more productive as a DS if I sat with members of the team — like DS Stanley does.’
‘You should have asked for permission first.’
‘I didn’t know I needed it.’
‘Well, I suggest you put it back where it was and ask DCI Murphy if you can move it.’
‘It’s only a desk, Katie.’
‘That’s not the point. The office is laid out the way it is for a reason.’
‘And what reason would that be?’ Jane asked, letting her annoyance show.
‘How would you like it if I just walked into your house and rearranged the furniture the way I wanted it to be?’
Jane shook her head in disbelief. ‘That’s a ridiculous comparison, but if it will make you feel better I’ll tell DCI Murphy I moved my desk and ask him if he’s OK about it.’
‘I’d still put it back where it was if I were you.’
‘It’s that heavy I nearly pulled a muscle moving it in the first place — so it can stay where it is for now.’
At that moment DCI Murphy walked into the office, followed by the Colonel and Teflon.
‘Everything all right, ladies?’ Murphy asked, sensing an air of hostility between the two women.
Katie was quick to answer before Jane could get a word in.
‘As you can see, DS Tennison has moved her desk. I told her she should have asked your permission before doing so.’
‘It’s fine there by me.’ Teflon gave Jane a wink.
Katie glared at him. ‘I was speaking to DCI Murphy.’
Murphy sighed. ‘It’s only a bloody desk, Katie. I couldn’t give a toss if Tennison wants to put it in the backyard, as long as she gets on with her work. Who owns that custard tart on wheels that’s parked in my space?’
‘If you’re referring to the yellow VW Golf, that’s mine, sir,’ Jane said.
‘Well, don’t park it there again. Someone get me a bacon and egg roll and a cup of tea.’
He slapped a pound note down on the desk and went into his office.
Jane frowned. ‘What’s the problem? There are plenty of spaces out there.’
Teflon smiled. ‘Yeah, but he likes the one nearest the entrance in case it’s raining. I’ll put the kettle on.’
‘Don’t move the kettle, Teflon, or all hell could break loose,’ the Colonel joked, and Jane smiled.
Katie grabbed the pound note before stomping out of the room to the burger van.
‘What’s up with her?’ Teflon asked.
‘Who knows?’ The Colonel shrugged. ‘Probably the wrong time of the month — either that or she’s desperate for a shag.’ He draped his jacket over the back of his chair, then threw his cap at the coat rack, where it landed on one of the hooks. ‘James Bond or what?’ he said with a grin.
‘Fiver says you can’t do it two out of three,’ Teflon challenged. ‘That was a bloody fluke, and you know it.’
The Colonel settled himself behind his desk.
‘I could do it easy, but I don’t want to take your money, so I won’t.’
‘You two want a hot drink?’ Teflon asked.
Jane said she’d like a coffee and went over to give him a hand, while the Colonel got a clear plastic sports bottle out of his backpack with a thick pale liquid in it and held it up.
‘No thanks, I’ve got me banana, egg and water mix, so I’m fine.’ He shook the bottle then took a swig.
‘He thinks it makes him stronger, but all it does is make him fart a lot,’ Teflon whispered to Jane. ‘Was Katie really getting upset about the desk or just having a go at you?’
‘I don’t know — a bit of both, maybe. I’m doing my best to be friendly towards her, but I think she’s got a bee in her bonnet about me being on the team.’
‘Well, she’s going to have to get used to it and stop being so high and mighty. If she does start on you again just put her in her place — as a DS she’s answerable to you, not the other way around.’
‘Trouble is, I think she’d go running to Murphy and complain. The last thing I need right now is to give him a reason to reprimand me.’
‘As you just saw, Murphy finds her a pain in the arse at times, so I wouldn’t worry about it. If she’s going to complain about you it would probably be to Kingston.’
‘Why him?’ she asked, trying not to sound too curious.
‘Everyone reckons Katie’s got the hots for him. She’s in and out of his office like a yo-yo and does whatever he asks at the drop of a hat — if he said jump, she’d ask how high.’
‘Do you think he fancies her?’ she asked, wondering if he knew about their affair.
Teflon laughed. ‘Kingston’s definitely a ladies’ man, but personally I think he just likes to flirt with Katie to keep her on her toes. Mind you, some of the lads reckon they’re at it.’
‘What does DCI Murphy think?’
‘Don’t know. Although he’s pretty close to Kingston, I don’t think he’d approve if they were screwing each other.’
Jane realized she was probably the only one on the team who knew for a fact Katie and Kingston were having a sexual relationship, and she was going to keep it that way for fear of being called a scandalmonger. The last thing she wanted was to alienate Kingston, one of the few who had so far accepted her on the team. She sat at her desk with her coffee and rang PC Turner, the traffic officer.
‘Hi, it’s WDS Tennison. I was just calling to ask if there’s any news on the burnt-out Cortina’s ignition barrel.’