‘You have to go home.’

Even though Lucy had known this would end badly for her, for some reason – some ridiculous reason – she hadn’t been expecting this.

‘Home? You mean now?’

‘Of course, now. And you stay at home until you’re sent for.’

‘I’m being suspended?’

Nehwal struggled. ‘Call it sick leave. No one will question it after today. I’ll speak to Stan, tell him I sent you home because you were in a bad way. But we’ll have to bring in Chief Superintendent Mullany, and it may end up becoming a formal suspension. You understand that?’

‘Ma’am, please …’

‘Lucy, listen to me! You’re no use here till this has been cleared up. No one will even look at you the same way unless we sort this thing out.’

Lucy’s heart was sinking. This was so much everything she’d feared. ‘They won’t look at me the same way even after that.’

‘It will show that you’ve got nothing to hide. That you’ve been completely open … albeit belatedly.’ Another thought occurred to the DSU, which clearly pained her. ‘You’ve been involved in a number of high-level investigations since you uncovered this information, haven’t you?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘Then your role in those cases will need to be reviewed by Professional Standards.’

Lucy felt a new sense of despair. ‘How long’s that going to take?’

‘I don’t know.’ Nehwal shook her head. ‘I doubt there are any precedents for this.’

‘I don’t want people thinking I’m on the other side. Because I’m not … I’m really not.’

‘I believe you. But it’s not me you’re going to have to convince.’

‘So I’m going home?’

Nehwal opened the passenger door. ‘You’re going home. But be available. At the very least we’re going to need a statement off you for what’s happened here. On top of that, they’ll want to give you a medical, a hearing test and such …’

‘Yeah … shit!’ Lucy snapped. ‘More excuses to can me!’

‘That’s the way it is in the job today. Would you rather they didn’t care?’

‘Who’s going to take over the missing persons enquiry?’

Nehwal gave her a look. ‘I’ve not exactly had time to think about that.’

‘No one else is on top of it the way I am.’

‘Lucy! I don’t want you involved in operational policework for the time being.’ Nehwal pushed the door open properly. ‘I’m getting out now. And the first thing you’re going to do after that is drive yourself home. Home, do you understand? Straight home.’