‘We were both tired, cold and hungry, and DCI Turner needed someone to keep an eye on her given the head injury she’d sustained.’

‘I see. Well, I think we’re finished here. Obviously, if there are any more questions once all the forensic testing is completed, we’ll ask for a further interview. PC Monroe, could you give DI Callanach and me a moment please? I’m turning off the tapes. It’s not related to the investigation.’

‘Sure,’ she said. ‘Can I get either of you a coffee? You’ve both been working flat out.’

Callanach smiled. Monroe was astute and a peacemaker. He liked her.

‘Thank you, I’d appreciate that,’ Callanach replied.

‘Nothing for me,’ Graham said, crossing his arms.

Monroe left.

‘You’re putting DCI Turner in a difficult position. I recognise that this is awkward. I’ve been in MIT and at your rank for just a couple of days, but I have to speak my mind. You should accept a voluntary suspension while the investigation continues.’

‘I have nothing to hide,’ Callanach said. ‘And yes, it is awkward. DCI Turner can take care of herself. She’s made her decision.’

‘Really? Has she thought through the impact of you making statements on tape that you spent the night together at your flat? Don’t play games with her career.’

‘You’re that concerned about her after just two days? It seems to me that I’m not the one being unprofessional here.’

‘Meaning?’ Graham asked, the muscles in his jaw flexing.

‘You know what? Let’s not do this. We’re going to have to work together in MIT for the foreseeable future, so we’ll let Ava make the decisions. I’ll make myself available to answer any questions you have and if at any time you have reason to believe I’m an active suspect, then I’m sure I’ll be suspended immediately.’

Callanach stood and made his way to the door.

‘You called her Ava,’ Graham said. ‘Is MIT’s chain of command really that informal?’

Callanach could have kicked himself.

‘I’ve got work to do,’ he said. ‘Good luck with the case.’

Chapter Thirteen

5 March

Ava broke the news to the assembled MIT squad that they were treating Fenella Hawksmith’s death as suspicious, sharing the disturbing details from the postmortem.

‘At the moment, knowing it would have been possible for her to have pulled the plug from the bath, I’m assuming that whoever inflicted the injuries on her stayed for the duration to watch her bleed to death, or at least until she’d passed out, to ensure that the water remained in the bath, preventing the wounds from clotting.’

‘But that could have been hours, right?’ Tripp asked.

‘Yes,’ Ava confirmed.