‘Ah, yes, DI Walker, come in and shut the door,’ DCI Brazil-North said, lifting a hand and waving it in the direction of the only spare chair.
Rhys threw a brief smile in Gaby’s direction before taking a seat and crossing his legs at the ankles.
So, this is my new boss. Not bad looking if you like square, rugby types … There are cogs there, many and complex – it would be foolish to underestimate him. Gaby frowned at the thought before returning her attention back to the woman behind the desk.
The DCI placed her pen down before lifting her head, her face an expressionless mask. ‘I know it’s Christmas Eve but I’ve asked DC Darin to drop in so I can introduce you. She’ll be joining us from the Cardiff office in a couple of days and, with her arrival, I think a little reshuffle is in order. After the sterling effort you made inducting DC Abraham, I’ve decided to reward you with a new partner.’ She leant forward, her elbows on the desk, her eyes flint. ‘I don’t want to hear a murmur of negativity towards our latest officer and I will hold you personally responsible if I do.’ Her smile widened briefly to include Gaby. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy with us, DC Darin. The DI will keep a close eye and ensure you receive a warm welcome from all members of the team.
Leaning back in her chair, she picked up her pen, again focusing on the document in front of her.
‘Ma’am, if I could have a brief word in private?’
There was an awkward silence where Gaby took to examining her nails, her attention now on the man at her side and what he was about to say. Surely he wouldn’t refuse to mentor her? But after what had happened in Cardiff, she wouldn’t put anything past her esteemed fellow colleagues. At least in the beginning they’d been welcoming. It was only later when they realised she wouldn’t be party to a cover-up that they’d turned nasty. It had taken strength of character and a bucketload of chocolate for her to deflect the bullet they’d carved with her name, rank and number. The strength of character remained. Gaby sat and waited, the silence lengthening, her clear nail polish not bright enough to hold her gaze for more than about five seconds.
‘An officer of your experience should know that there are no secrets between partners. Say your piece. I’m sure DC Darin will keep your confidence,’ DCI Brazil-North finally replied, still staring down at the document in front of her.
‘It’s about the Baby Grant case, ma’am.’
‘Oh God, really?’ She placed her pen down carefully before raising her head. ‘This had better be good, Walker. The force spent millions the first time round scouring the globe and they didn’t come up with anything other than censure from the public and politicians alike. You know as well as I do that the possibility of her still being alive is non-existent?’
‘That’s as may be, ma’am. But I bumped into the mother in the supermarket yesterday – she’s adamant she’s in possession of new evidence that will make a huge difference to the case.’
‘I’d forgotten that you still live in St David’s – a hell of a trek to work and back.’
‘But great to get away from it all.’
‘Mmm. So, what new evidence?’
‘Grace Madden seems to have appeared back on the scene. Miss Grant’s convinced of it. It was actually quite sad seeing her like that with her meal for one,’ he said with a little shake of his head. ‘She can’t move on with her life until she gets some news, one way or the other. You might remember that both the baby and boyfriend disappeared around the same time as the friend – it was all highly suspicious.’
‘I know all that.’ Her tone was as glacial as her look. ‘I also know to the pound just how much it cost the branch in terms of man hours searching for Madden and the boyfriend. So, she’s turned up, has she?’ She picked up her pen and scribbled something in the margin of her notebook.
‘Well, not quite but the mother seems to think that she spotted her yesterday.’
‘I don’t need to hear any more, Rhys. There’s not a lot we can do until after all the festivities are over. When you get back tell the team to have a sniff around but don’t spend long on it and be discreet. The very