‘Trust me – today’s events will have frightened the vast majority of them shitless. You’ll have no more trouble from most of them. It’s one thing for them to mutter among themselves in private but quite another to see fellow officers gunned down in front of them. Now Anders is safely dead, and as long as they behave themselves – and they will – no one need ever know where they would have stood today had the shit actually hit the fan.’

‘And you, Major – where do you stand?’

‘Right behind you, Commander.’

‘Then I shall know where to find you in future.’

They regarded each other and then Callen said, ‘Well, Commander – where do we go from here? What’s the next move?’

She smiled slightly, saying, ‘Actually, I was planning to promote you to head of the Hunter Division,’ and stood back to watch the effect.

That she had astonished him was very obvious. ‘But that’s a prestige appointment. The Hunter Division takes only the cream. Why would you do that?’

‘To rehabilitate you. There’ll be no room for gossip once it’s seen you have such a plum posting. It is my way of broadcasting my faith in you to the entire organisation.’

‘Am I supposed to be grateful?’

‘You can be anything you like. I ask only for your loyalty.’

His face was expressionless. ‘As my commanding officer, you are entitled to nothing less.’

‘Well, Major?’

‘Are you waiting for me to thank you?’

‘I am waiting for you either to accept or decline the position.’

‘I accept, Commander.’

She nodded. ‘You’ll be aware it’s a very hands-on post. You’ll need to lead from the front, Major, so you’re going to be out in the field for most of the time. It’s a position where the slightest lack of commitment will be immediately apparent. Should I be concerned about any future lack of commitment?’

‘No,’ he said shortly. And then again more quietly, ‘No.’

‘Then, finally, we both know where we stand.’

‘I know exactly where I stand, Commander. And you, as well, although I’m concerned you might not be looking in the right direction.’

‘The appointment is effective immediately.’

‘Then with your permission, Commander . . .’

He closed the door behind him.

Captain Farenden was back. ‘I still can’t agree that was a wise choice, ma’am.’

She sighed. ‘I don’t know, Charlie. I don’t know whose side he’s on. Other than his own, of course. There’s never anything you can get hold of with him. Not until it’s too late, anyway.’

‘He pulled a gun, ma’am.’