‘Please, I thought we were done with all that,’ McNair interjected, sounding as pissed off as she looked.

‘Sorry, but this is related,’ the reporter said. ‘DI Stephens, have you been put onto this case because it shows similarities to the types of case you worked in the past?’

‘I’m not sure what you mean,’ Dani said.

‘I’m talking about serial killers. Do you believe this could be someone who has killed before?’

‘Yes,’ Dani said. ‘Based on some of the circumstances, I’d say that’s very possible.’

There was an immediate hubbub in the room as a myriad of hands were thrown into the air. Dani realised her mistake almost as soon as the ill-thought-out words had passed her lips, but by then it was already too late.

She looked over at McNair. All that was missing from the raging look on her face was steam coming from her ears and nostrils.

Dani sank even lower in her chair. For months she’d wanted to break free from her isolation, get out of her apartment and back to her job and her old life. But in that moment, she simply wished she was cooped up once more. Despite her earlier protestations, perhaps she simply wasn’t ready for this level of pressure.

Maybe she never would be again.

Chapter Eleven

‘What the hell were you thinking?’ McNair blasted as she stormed after Dani.

Dani said nothing, just carried on away from the conference room, back through the corridors towards Homicide’s office. She knew Fletcher and Easton were also in tow. Well, they wouldn’t want to miss out on this slanging match, would they?

‘Stephens. I’m talking to you! What was that all about?’

‘What was what about?’ Dani said, coming to a stop and turning around.

McNair stopped too. Her face was creased in anger. Fletcher and Easton were a couple of steps behind, pensive looks on both their faces.

‘You spouting crap about serial killers! I told you to only take questions on this case. Our Jane Doe. That was it.’

Dani returned her boss’s glare. ‘Which is exactly what I did.’

‘Don’t be so ridiculous. You basically confirmed to the press that we’re looking for a multiple murderer!’

‘That’s not what I said! I think you’ll find the question was, do you believe this could be someone who has killed before?’

‘And you bloody well said yes without even thinking!’

‘Because that’s what I think.’

‘But that doesn’t mean you have to tell the bloody press!’

‘Why not?’

‘Seriously? I was really hoping for a different answer from you. Something like, your brain injury means you’ve got no filter now. That despite your media training and all of your other case management training you now spout crap without thinking it through and there’s nothing much we can do about it.’