The man’s eyes narrowed. He looked as if he was juggling his head and his heart. Finally he seemed to make some kind of a decision, and he nodded. ‘Okay. Maybe you’re right. Just be sure to take your new sergeant with you. It’ll be a way of getting to know him.’

Like hell, she thought, but managed to freeze-frame her smile for a little longer. ‘Thanks, Super. As soon as he’s here, we’ll get on to it.’

CHAPTER FIVE

DETECTIVE SERGEANT JOSEPH Easter stood by his parked car and looked across at the police station. It was about as different from his old patch as a Morris Minor from a Ferrari.

Fenchester nick was a 1920s piece of history, whilst this sparkling edifice of steel and smoky glass was strictly ultramodernism, and bloody ugly with it. He grinned to himself. And that was just fine. He needed everything to be completely different. And this was about as different as it got.

He was early, but then he always was. And probably not a bad thing. First impressions and all that. But should he really be suffering from nerves, at the age of thirty-eight? He considered his own question, then decided that, under the present circumstances, anyone would be suffering from nerves. Joseph bit his lip. One month here. That was the agreement. He just hoped he was doing the right thing. He took a deep breath and straightened his tie. One more thing to do before he went in. He removed his mobile from his pocket, flipped it open and pressed a speed dial number.

‘Hi there, sweetheart, it’s Dad. I’ve no idea of the time where you are, but I wanted you to know that I’m going to be working out of Greenborough for a few weeks. With a new boss. She’s got something of a reputation, but hopefully we’ll get on. Uh, that’s all, I guess. Hope you’re okay, and I’m on the same number if you need me. And I love you. Always have and always will.’

He shut the phone and closed his eyes for a moment. A face swam behind his eyelids. Long, light-brown hair and huge hazel eyes. Uneven dimples and very white teeth. Yes, I love you. But sadly, it looks as though I have just run out of excuses for not going in to that arty-farty,  tin can of a building and introducing myself. Before he opened his eyes, he muttered a few quiet words to himself, then strode across the paved courtyard to the front entrance.