There was a strange man sitting at Maggie’s desk when she arrived in CID. She slowed her pace as she approached, giving herself time to digest his appearance. He was younger than her, late twenties at most, with cropped brown hair and heavy, black-framed glasses. He was wearing a mismatched suit of navy trousers and dark grey jacket with a crisp white shirt and a visitor’s pass on a lanyard in lieu of a tie. He had the rumpled air of a college lecturer about him.

She was about to say hello when Renshaw intercepted her.

‘Need a quick word,’ she said, ushering Maggie towards the water cooler at the rear of the office.

‘It’s been decided there should be two FLOs on this case, given the sensitive nature of it,’ she said.

‘Oh, right.’

Usually DI Gant called ahead to warn her someone was joining her but she wasn’t unduly concerned. Force guidelines stated that FLOs should work in pairs wherever possible because of the 24/7 nature of the job and the strain of being sent into emotionally charged households for weeks or even months at a time. Two FLOs could give each other a break and offer support if things got tough.

‘I know you enjoyed working alone on your last case so I hope you don’t mind,’ said Renshaw.

‘That was down to cutbacks. I’m fine to partner up,’ Maggie reassured her. ‘It’ll be good to have someone to bounce off.’

‘Good, because that’s your new partner,’ grinned Renshaw, head jerking towards the man at Maggie’s desk. ‘DC Jamie Byford. Fast-tracked into CID straight from uni, been a detective for a few years, but this is his first case as a FLO.’

Now Maggie was less enamoured. She didn’t want to be saddled with a rookie. Why hadn’t Gant warned her himself?

‘I know he’s a newbie but make sure you share the load with him, okay? This case is a tough one because it involves kids and it’s important none of us take on more than we can handle. You must say if you find it hard.’

Maggie frowned. Was it her imagination or did that little speech sound unnaturally stilted, as though Renshaw was repeating words that weren’t her own?

‘You’ve never been this bothered about me before,’ she said suspiciously, thinking back to her conversation with Umpire yesterday, when he had urged her to rethink her involvement. Would he have dared to share his concerns behind her back? She’d like to think not, but if he hadn’t, where else was Renshaw’s sudden empathy coming from?

‘Has someone said something to you?’ she asked.

‘Don’t be so paranoid – of course not. This is a big case for me and I need you on the ball to make me look good.’

Maggie wasn’t convinced but let the matter drop.

‘Come on, I’ll introduce you,’ said Renshaw.