Last Gasp (5 page)

Satisfied, The Duke turned to Carver.

'Finally, Jamie. You’ve been to see a potential
victim? How’d it go?’

Carver got to his feet but didn’t waste time on preliminaries.
What he had to say would be brief enough.

'Jess and I visited a woman over in Calderton earlier today.
She fits the victim profile but she’s reluctant to cooperate just yet. We’ve
left her to think things over and we’ll be speaking to her again soon.' He sat
down.

For several moments The Duke stared at him, shrewd eyes
narrowed, as if trying to guess the story. Getting nothing, he turned to where
Jess stood amidst the throng of detectives. But at that moment it seemed like
she had found something at her feet that needed her attention. Freed from
Morrison’s gaze, Carver stole a glance in Shepherd’s direction. He was doing a
bad job of holding back a smirk.

A few minutes later, de-brief over, Morrison spoke the usual
words of thanks and encouragement he liked to close with, before bidding those
who weren't working the weekend, 'Enjoy your break,' then adding, 'And keep
your phones on. Mr Shepherd and his team are weekend cover. If there are any developments,
they’ll text or call.' He turned to Carver. 'Got a minute?'

Back in his office, The Duke was
straight to the point.

'What's the story?'

Carver hesitated, thinking on how much to share. He
respected The Duke as much as any man he knew. But it was complicated, the week
was nearly over and it had been a long day.

'Like I said, she isn’t ready to co-operate yet. I think we
caught her off-guard and she was embarrassed. She’ll come around once she’s
thought things through.'

The Duke gave him a hard look. 'I hope so. We need her
onside.'

Carver didn’t need reminding, but nodded.
Noted.
But
he’d done enough thinking about Megan Crane for one day. 'What's the crack with
Cosworth?'

For a moment, The Duke looked like he might probe further -
Carver had hardly been forthcoming - but then with a sigh, let it go. He
dropped into his chair and started flicking through the messages his PA had
left during de-brief.

'I think we share similar views about friend Cosworth. But-'

Carver waited. The Duke was old school. He never criticised
members of his team openly, not even to Carver.

'He can’t be ruled out, and God knows there’s enough weird
shit there. I’m giving Gary his head.' He paused before adding, 'I need you to
concentrate on this Crane woman.'

Carver nodded again.

Morrison hesitated, looked up at him.

‘What?’

Morrison sighed. ‘You probably already know this, but I’m
going to say it anyway. Gary wants a collar like a dog on heat. You know what
he’s after and he thinks this enquiry can give it to him.' Carver said nothing.
'Whether he’s right or not, he sees you as the opposition. If there’s any
chance of an arrest, he’ll want it to be his.'

Carver gave a weary sigh, and met The Duke’s gaze. ‘He can
have whatever he wants. I couldn’t give a toss. I’ve even tried giving him a
few steers myself. Not that he listens much.'

The Duke nodded. 'I can believe that, but Gary wouldn’t.
He’s as likely to think you’re trying to set him up. I’ll say no more. Just
watch your back.'

'I will.'

‘Speaking of which. I believe the board dates are out?’

‘Just got the letter. I’m set for four weeks yesterday.’

The Duke tutted. ‘That’s tight, the way things are.’

‘Tell me about it.’

‘You could ask them to put it back?’

‘I know.’

‘But you won’t.’

‘Would you?’

‘Point taken.’

The conversation over, Carver rose.

But Morrison wasn’t finished. 'One more thing.'

Carver stopped. ‘What?’

'Do me a favour and ring that reporter back who keeps
leaving messages all over the place. Apart from Alec Duncan giving me grief,
the ACC rang this morning. Looks like someone with clout told the Press Office
you’re avoiding him. The Chief wasn't best pleased. He thinks a positive spin
might help keep the heat off.'

Carver gave The Duke a straight look. 'Someone needs to tell
the Chief I'm a detective, not a fucking poster boy.'

The Duke made a soothing gesture. 'Take it easy. I'm not
suggesting you put yourself through it all again. Just speak to the guy. Give
him some titbits, that's all.'

'It's not titbits he wants, John. He’ll be after doing
another bloody feature. "The Man Who Brought Edmund Hart To Justice – Five
Years On." Well he can piss off. He can find himself another Sherlock.'

'Just play him, Jamie. That's all I'm saying. If something
breaks we may just need the press onside.'

Carver counted to three. But whatever his take on it, The
Duke was right. There’s never anything to be gained rubbing the press up the
wrong way, whoever it is.

'I'll ring him, but that's all. If we met I’m not sure I
could trust myself not to strangle the bastard.'

The Duke sighed. 'Like I’ve said before, he wrote what he
wrote in good faith. It's not his fault some saw it as you blowing yourself up.
There’s jealous bastards in every organisation. We're no different.'

By now Carver had had enough and wasn't about to argue. 'Is
that it? Can I go now?'

'Yes. Piss off. Enjoy your weekend, while you can.'

As Carver reached the door The Duke said, ‘By the way, are
you still seeing your Dad this weekend?’

Carver turned and nodded. ‘It’s their ruby wedding
anniversary tomorrow. We’re doing dinner. Some restaurant outside Ripon.’ As an
aside he added, ‘If we all make it.’

‘Well if you get there, remember me to him.’

‘I will.’

Back in his office, Carver slumped
in his chair and rubbed at his temples where a dull pain had grown through the
afternoon. He spotted Alec’s note about Jackson. Picking up the desk phone, he
dialled the number.

It answered on the third ring.

‘Jackson.’

‘This is Jamie Carver.’

‘Jamie. Thanks for coming back to me. You got my message?’

All of them.
‘Yes.’

‘Okay. Good. So… does this call mean you’re ready to meet
me?’

It means, who the fuck rang my ACC?
Carver remembered
The Duke’s request. ‘I can’t right now, but give me a shout next week. Monday-
no, make that Tuesday. We’ll sort something. It may only be over the telephone.
There’s a lot happening here.’

There was a pause, then, ‘Of course. I can imagine how busy
you must be. But I’d prefer if we could meet. His tone said,
is this just
another string-along?
‘I’d promise not to take up too much of your time?’

Carver shook his head down the phone. The man was a pro, and
as persistent as he remembered.

‘We’ll speak next week.’

‘Great. See you.’

Carver hung up.

He checked his watch. Going on Seven-thirty. It was an hour
into Manchester this time of evening. Still time to make it. About to rise,
Shepherd’s face appeared round the door. The look of concern wasn’t convincing.
Carver came on guard.

'Everything okay Jamie? Shame the Crane woman wouldn't come
on board. Any particular reason? Would you like me to have a go?'

Carver bit back his first response. 'Thanks, but no thanks,
Gary. Jess and I will sort our Ms Crane out. You’ve got your hands full with
Cosworth.' Rising from the chair, he reached for his keys off the desk. Blind
as ever, Shepherd slipped further inside.

'Speaking of Jess, how’s she doing? I have to say I was a
bit surprised when you chose her. She worked for me once on a rape case. A bit
lacking in experience, I thought.'

Carver knew the case. Alec Duncan was the first CID on the
scene. His account of how Jess, then a uniform sergeant, had dealt with the
hysterical victim and preserved the scene, was in his mind when he interviewed
her. 'She’s doing fine. What she lacks in experience she makes up for in common
sense.'
Unlike some.

'Glad to hear it. Mind you, she’s not a bad looker either. I
hope you’re making sure to give her the benefit of your… experience?'

About to head for the door, Carver froze. Straightening, he
stepped back, looked Shepherd straight in the face and folded his arms. 'Scuse
me?'

Whatever his failings, Shepherd knew when he’d overstepped.
His swagger faded. 'Whoops. Sorry, Jamie. That’s my mouth running away with
itself again. Don’t worry, everyone knows you’re straight down the line.' Along
the corridor, a telephone rang. He hung out the door. 'Calls coming in. Needed
in the MIR. Have a good weekend. You look like you need it.'

Carver listened to Shepherd’s footsteps receding. 'Prick,'
he muttered.

Checking his desk one last time - it would still be there
Monday - he pulled his jacket off the back of the chair, sending it spinning.
As he strode out he was looking forward to his first proper break in weeks. But
his inner voice was telling him, 'And pigs fly.'

From the window in the main CID
Office, Jess watched Carver’s Golf slow at the gate, before gunning forward and
left into a gap in the streaming traffic. She followed its departure down
Arpley Street. A voice close behind made her jump.

'How’re you enjoying the big time then, Jess?'

She spun around. Shepherd was right on her shoulder, way too
near. Avoiding his gaze, she weaved passed him and headed back to her desk.

 'I’m enjoying it fine, thank you. Sir.'

'That’s good.'

He sauntered after her, eyes wandering the room, fingers
flicking, randomly, through papers on detectives' desks. They were alone, the
others either left for home or grabbing refs. 

Sensing something, Jess was wary, and set about tidying her
desk. To her dismay, Shepherd settled himself on the edge of the neighbouring
desk, lifted a foot and rested it on the edge of hers, hemming her in. She
caught a whiff of something musky. It hadn’t been there when they’d passed in
the corridor following debrief.

'You know Jess, this enquiry could be good for you. You're
showing promise for this sort of work. I mentioned it to The Duke and he
agrees. Keep it up and I’m sure there’ll be a permanent job when this is all
over.'

She managed not to laugh. 'I appreciate that, Sir.'

There was an awkward silence before he continued. 'So what
do you think of this Crane woman thing? It’s not just Jamie looking for a bit
of a diversion, is it?'

Unsure what he was getting at, she said, 'That’s not for me
to say. But Mr Carver's confident she can help.' As she picked up her shoulder
bag and stood up, Shepherd chuckled in a way she found strange.

'He would be.'

Jess was intrigued, but wasn’t about to start talking about
her boss in his absence. Before applying for the job she'd heard the rumours of
course. But she’d avoided digging, preferring to take things, and him, as she
found them. Turning, she skirted the back of her chair to avoid his
leg-barrier. But he moved swiftly to catch up, traversing between the desks to
come alongside her as she neared the door. Suddenly his hand was on her elbow
and she stopped. His boldness surprised her, as well as his stupidity.

'There’s something I think you should be aware of.'
She waited. 'I know you and Jamie are working together, but... Well, it’s just
that he has a reputation for sometimes getting a bit, you know,
involved
in this sort of thing? You need to be careful.'

As shock joined with the surprise, Jess wondered where
it was coming from. Jealousy or genuine concern? He
seemed
sincere.
'What are you trying to say?'

He attempted a warm smile. 'Just a friendly warning.
This sort of enquiry, it can suck you in if you’re not careful. I wouldn’t want
it to happen to you.'

'Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll bear it in mind.' She turned
away.

But he wasn’t finished. 'A couple more things.’ Stopping
again, she almost sighed in annoyance. ‘Firstly, we’ve worked together before,
so let’s cut out the ‘Sir’ business, ok? My name’s Gary, right?' She inclined
her head,
anything you say
, but stayed on alert. 'Second, I’ve still got
a vacancy on my team. I’d like someone like you to fill it. I feel we could
work well together. With your help I- we, could nail this guy. You know, this
Cosworth link is stronger than some people are giving it credit for. You might
want to give some thought to swapping horses.'

Jess let her face show both her disappointment, and lack of
interest. It didn’t put him off.

‘We could talk about it over a bite at Henry’s if you like?’

The station’s closest eatery, Henry’s Wine Bar did good
business out of being the most trouble-free venue in town.

Jess was so taken aback she struggled to reply. She’d
learned long ago how to deflect advances with a smile and light remark. It was
easy enough to make enemies in this job without having to worry about men - and
women - with grudges. But she’d always imagined that people like Shepherd -on
the fast track- would be careful about leaving themselves open to a harassment
charge.

I’m sorry,
Sir
. I was under the impression you’re
Duty SIO this evening? I'm not sure it would appropriate for you to be seen
dining out with a junior officer? In any case, I think that any discussions
about my future should take place with Mr Carver present.' She let him digest
it and then turned to leave, searching for a way past. But he reached out and
took her elbow, again, not too heavy, but enough to pause her.

'Listen Jess.' He gave her the sincere look again. 'Just because
he’s had some media attention, don’t expect to ride the crest of any wave that
comes along. Your boss isn’t as squeaky clean as you might think. Don’t be
surprised if you find a skeleton rattling around his closet someday. When that
day comes some may assume you’re tainted as well. It would be a shame to ruin a
promising career.'

Jess had heard enough. Time to be out of here. She looked
down at the fingers gripping her elbow. 'If you would like to give me my arm
back, I’ll be on my way.
Sir.
'

With a final smirk he let go, and stepped aside.

As she crossed the room, Jess was conscious of a feeling
similar to the one she’d had as she’d walked down Megan Crane’s drive that
afternoon. She didn’t look back, and was relieved when she turned the corner,
out of his gaze.