Didn’t like it was an understatement. Rachel’s instructions had, at first, been met with flat-out refusal. It was only when she’d threatened to charge Jake Harris and his client with perverting the course of justice, that he grudgingly agreed there would be no further TV or newspaper interviews.

‘I’ve arranged a press conference for eleven thirty tomorrow morning. I can handle that myself, obviously.’

Obviously. Rachel bit her lip to stop herself smiling. Unlike most detectives she knew, Sharon was at her most animated when she was taking centre stage at any public event. She seemed to draw energy from being in front of a crowd and handled questions from the press with charm and wit, always giving away just the right amount of information.

‘I’ve had my hair done,’ Sharon said, beaming at Rachel. ‘And I’m wearing my special pants that make your body look curvy instead of flabby. Not that I need them, of course, but they do say the camera adds half a stone. You ought to try them, Rachel. They’d do wonders for your backside in those trousers. I’ll send you a link, if you’d like?’

‘Um, that would be great. Thank you.’

Rachel pushed her chair back and stood up, relieved she’d made it through the encounter relatively unscathed. Even the comment about her bum hadn’t bothered her. She knew that, in her own way, Sharon had been trying to be helpful not insulting.

‘Rachel?’ Sharon called as she opened the door.

‘Yes?’

‘I forgot to ask for timescales on when we can get this one cleared up. I’m meeting the Chief Constable later this morning. How about I tell her we’ll have someone charged by close of play Friday?’

‘I’m not sure…’

‘No need to be so modest.’ Sharon smiled. ‘I have every faith in you. CPS will drag their heels. Their backlog is getting bigger as every week passes. No need for us to do the same. Let’s set a good example and show the rest of the county how good we are.’ The smile disappeared. ‘If you think that’s going to be a problem, I can always get someone else in to work alongside you on this?’

‘No,’ Rachel said quickly. ‘That won’t be necessary.’

‘Excellent. I look forward to seeing how you get on.’

Rachel managed a smile that she kept plastered onto her face until she was out of the office with the door closed behind her. Only then did she let the smile turn into a frown as she flicked two fingers at the closed door, before hurrying away just in case Sharon’s laser eyes could see through wood.

Fourteen

Adam lifted the bottle of wine and refilled his glass. When he tried to do the same for Clodagh, she covered her glass with her hand.

‘Not for me, thanks.’