DS Andrews shrugged. ‘Beats reviewing crime reports, I suppose.’

‘Why choose an SIO on leave?’ she said.

‘He’s not on leave. Stress apparently … Bad reaction to a job and that was that.’

Sandra was squatting back down to fidget with the body bag, the wind was still arriving in unpredictable gusts that looked capable of unsettling the pebbles. The last thing anyone wanted was to give the car park spectators the image of a foot chase with a body bag. Already she had taken down the tent, confident that the incline of the beach was shielding them enough for this last part. She stopped what she was doing to look up now.

‘And he’s coming back to this?’ she said.

‘He is. He’s a TSG skipper too, I don’t think he’s an investigator by trade. Just promoted.’

‘And he’s coming back to this!’ Sandra said again. ‘What genius made that call?’ DS Andrews shrugged again. ‘Talking of genius, I’ve met a few of the TSG skippers on searches, rarely a clever one.’

‘They are generally a type.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Norris. Joel Norris.’

Sandra shook her head. ‘The name does ring a bell. No doubt we’ve crossed paths but I can’t say I have an opinion.’

‘Bit of an unknown entity then. He was saying all the right things on the phone.’

‘So, not an idiot?’

‘I never said that. He could still be an idiot, just one that’s read the Murder Investigation Manual. He won’t be getting much help either. The impression I got from Major Crime was that they’re letting him fall on his sword.’

Sandra shifted her weight, clearly struggling to get a firm base on the shifting pebbles. She took hold of the bagged-up feet. ‘In my experience that tends to happen very quickly. This is big-boy stuff.’ She flicked her head towards the torso. ‘Cop hold of the other end, would you? Let’s get this bagged up. And get your gloves and mask back on first. Just ’cause an amateur’s taking over, doesn’t mean we don’t do our bit right.’

Chapter 9

Jamie was getting big. It had only been a couple of weeks since Danny had seen him last but it was enough for the change to be noticeable.

‘You need a new shirt, I reckon. That’s a bit tight on you now.’