Aftermath

The assembled detectives muttered, “Yes, sir,” then the group they started to split up, some drifting outside for a much-needed cigarette, others settling back at their desks.

“One more thing,” said Banks. “DCs Bowmore and Singh. In my office. Now.”

After a brief meeting with Area Commander Hartnell – who definitely gave her the eye – and Banks, who seemed uncomfortable about the whole thing, DI A

A

All of this sounded quite dull to A

For a long time, A

A brief tap at the door was followed by the entry of a young woman with short black hair, which looked rather dry and lifeless. “They told me you were in here,” she said.

A

Janet sat and tried to make herself comfortable on the hard chair. She looked as if she hadn’t slept all night, which didn’t surprise A

“How is he?” Janet asked.

“Who?”

“You know. Payne.”

“Still unconscious.”

“Will he survive?”

“They don’t know yet, Janet.”

“Okay. I mean, it’s just that… well, I suppose it makes a difference. You know, to my case.”

“If he dies? Yes, it does. But don’t let’s worry about that for the time being. I want you to tell me what happened in the Paynes’ cellar, then I’ll ask you a few questions. Finally, I want you to write it all down in a statement. This isn’t an interrogation, Janet. I’m sure you went through hell down in that cellar, and nobody wants to treat you like a criminal. But there are procedures to be followed in cases like this, and the sooner we get going, the better.” A

“Don’t worry,” said Janet. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I’m sure you haven’t. Tell me about it.”

As Janet Taylor spoke, sounding rather bored and detached, as if she had been through this all too many times already, or as if she were recounting someone else’s story, A

A

“Just a couple of things, Janet; then I’ll leave you alone to write your statement.”

Janet yawned. She put her hand to her mouth but didn’t apologize. Normally A

“What were you thinking about while it was happening?” A

“Thinking? I’m not sure I was thinking at all. Just reacting.”

“Did you remember your training?”

Janet Taylor laughed, but it was forced. “Training doesn’t prepare you for something like that.”

“What about your baton training?”

“I didn’t have to think about that. It was instinctive.”

“You were feeling threatened.”

“Damn right I was. He was killing De

“How did you know she was dead?”

“What?”

“Kimberley Myers. How did you know she was dead? You said it all happened so fast, you barely caught a glimpse of her before the attack.”

“I… I suppose I just assumed. I mean, she was lying there naked on the bed with a yellow rope around her neck. Her eyes were open. It was a reasonable assumption to make.”

“Okay,” said A

“No. It was what was happening to De

“And what you thought was going to happen to you next?”

“Yes.” Janet sipped some more water. A little of it dripped down her chin on to the front of her gray T-shirt, but she didn’t seem to notice.

“So you got your baton out. What next?”