Imogen finished up the paperwork ready for the team progress meeting in the morning and looked at the clock: it was time to go home. She wanted to check on Adrian again. It was unusual for him to take any time off. Whatever this illness was it was really taking its toll on him. When she went to his house to spend time with him he was either asleep or glued to the television. He wasn’t himself at all. She wasn’t sure the medicine the doctor had given him was making any difference. It occurred to her that she had never really seen him sick before. He wasn’t a good patient. She had also never known Adrian to be this irritable with her; he just wasn’t like that.

DCI Kapoor walked over to her desk.

‘You going to see Adrian?’ the DCI asked.

‘Yes. I don’t think he eats when I don’t feed him,’ Imogen smiled, half joking.

‘Well, give him our regards. The place feels strange without him. Are you and DI Walsh getting on?’ Kapoor asked, then, without waiting for an answer, added, ‘I know you and Adrian have a very tight working relationship. It can be difficult to get used to other people’s habits.’

‘We are working together fine; did he say otherwise?’ Imogen said, aware that this was leading somewhere.

‘Good. I wanted to talk to you about that. We’re getting a new DS soon. I think you and DS Miles might benefit from switching things up a bit.’

‘With all due respect, I wouldn’t be happy with that. Adrian and I work well together, we trust each other and we get good results,’ Imogen said.

Was the DCI hinting that she knew they were in a relationship together? Their argument had caused a scene in the station and was something Imogen would rather forget, both personally and professionally.

‘I’m just concerned that sometimes it’s harder to be completely objective when you are too close,’ DCI Kapoor said.

‘No. Not us. I assure you, there won’t be a problem.’ Imogen folded her arms.

‘Let’s just see how you get on working with Matt. We can leave this discussion open for now. I was just sounding you out.’ DCI Kapoor smiled. ‘This fight that led to Adrian’s irrational and unprofessional behaviour, not to mention his subsequent injury, is a cause for concern.’

‘If you order us to do it then we will, but I think you would be making a huge mistake.’ Imogen tried not to sound too annoyed.

‘Prove me wrong, then. When Adrian gets back, I’ll be watching both of you to make sure.’

‘That’s fine.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’