‘So, he should probably do that.’

‘Why doesn’t she like team members dating? It’s not against policy.’

‘It’s not my story to tell, I’m afraid, but if she knows you’re together then she will partner you both up with other people. It just keeps things simpler on call-outs.’

‘Have you ever been in a relationship with someone on your team?’

‘This isn’t about me,’ Walsh replied.

‘So that’s a yes, then. You know what it’s like – you work with someone day in and day out and you have no social life. Your world revolves around the job. People need other people. It’s just a basic human thing. We certainly never intended for it to happen.’

‘But it has happened. I just wanted to let you know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed.’

Imogen wished this conversation wasn’t happening right now. She was trapped in the car with DI Walsh and as friendly as this conversation was, it was almost certainly a reprimand.

‘Is that why DCI Kapoor has suggested that I work primarily with you?’

‘I told you, she hasn’t said anything to me, but I would say that’s a safe bet, yes.’

‘Shit!’ she swore.

‘I’m just giving you a heads-up, DS Grey. You work with detectives, someone was bound to notice. As long as it doesn’t interfere with anyone’s ability to do their job, she will turn a blind eye. These last few weeks have been quite tense, though, and after the way this case is playing out—’

‘That’s got nothing to do with our relationship.’

‘Maybe not, but if Adrian was working with another officer, maybe he wouldn’t feel able to cultivate this anger of his.’

‘So, it’s my fault?’

‘I’m just saying if he was with, say … me, he would remember he was working, that his personal feelings don’t come into it.’

‘Are you going to talk to the DCI about it?’

‘Only if she speaks to me first. I’m not the enemy, Grey. I’m trying to give you some advice here.’

‘OK. I appreciate you being honest with me. I guess DS Miles and I need to have another talk about the future. It doesn’t feel like a fling, so we need to figure out a way to move forwards.’

‘He could just move to another team and you would still see each other at the station, as well as at home.’

‘I can’t make the decisions for him, and this is a discussion for me and him to have, anyway. I’m sorry if we put you in a difficult position.’

‘I’m not worried about me. Like I said before, these things happen a lot.’

‘Well, I’m tired. I’m going to shut my eyes for a minute, if that’s all right with you,’ Imogen said before the conversation got even further away from her.