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The approach hasn’t changed. The stringy trees along the drive don’t look any healthier, and everything that needed a new coat of paint six years ago still needs one now.
The Governor’s office, on the other hand, definitely looks different. Not so much a makeover as a make-down. No flowers, no coffee machine, no art; though I was half expecting one of those pastel Jesus things with a bleeding heart. But no, it’s all very neutral, very functional, very clean.
She rises to greet us. Sleek dark hair in a French pleat, no jewellery, nails manicured with buff-coloured polish, a dark grey dress that must be expensive – it takes money to look as understated as that. And needless to say, she’s nothing like I was expecting. I’ve been at this job long enough, I should have grown out of lazy preconceptions by now, but apparently not. And the half-curl of a smile suggests she just caught me at it.
‘DCI Fawley, DI Quinn,’ she says as her hand takes mine. ‘Diana Buchanan.’ Despite the heat, her fingers are cool, and I’m uncomfortably aware of my shirt clinging to my back. ‘Please do sit down. There’s water, or I can order coffee or tea if you prefer.’
We opt for the water and, having poured the glasses, she sits back and folds her hands on the desk in front of her. ‘So what can I do for you? I assume it’s about Sharon Mason, given one of her lawyers has been waiting downstairs for over an hour.’
‘Yes. It’s Sharon Mason.’
She nods slowly, then waits. My move.
‘You may not be aware of this, but a shallow grave was found earlier this week in Gloucestershire. The victim has yet to be identified, but other DNA evidence collected at the scene is a match to Sharon’s daughter. We’re still trying to figure out what happened, but one thing we do know: at some point in the very recent past, Daisy was still alive.’
Not much fazes her, evidently. Indeed, the half-smile grows wider. ‘It can’t be very often that a police officer gets to visit a prisoner with that sort of news. Especially for thesecondtime.’
So she’s looked me up too.
I try a smile. ‘I know, what are the odds? But there it is. Our priority, as you can imagine, is to speak to Sharon before the news emerges from some other source.’
‘Quite.’
‘Not just as a courtesy, of course. Given her conviction would now appear to be unsafe.’
She nods. ‘Indeed.’
‘And from a police perspective, we now need to revisit theoriginal case – discover what really happened to her daughter. Partly to determine if a crime took place back in 2016 – not a murder, clearly, but an abduction seems very likely, given Daisy’s age at the time. And partly, also, because if we can establish what happened then, it may help us find her now.’
‘She was, what, eight in 2016?’
‘Right,’ says Quinn. ‘Sixteen now.’
Her eyes widen, just a little. ‘Dear God,’ she whispers. ‘She’s still achild.’
‘Please keep everything I’ve just told you to yourself, needless to say.’
She takes a breath. ‘Of course.’ She looks at Quinn and then back at me. ‘But before you meet Sharon, there’s something I need to tell you.’
***
MY SHADOWJOURNAL
Supporting your well-being
Shadow Journalling is hard, and as you continue your journey, a lot of difficult things are going to come up. Doubts, fears, insecurities. It’s hard to face the aspects of your Self that you fear or despise. This is brave work, and you deserve credit and compassion for taking it on.
As you work through the process there are practical things you can do to support your inner peace and well-being. Small things like taking a walk in nature, talking to a friend, watching a TV programme that makes you laugh, eating your favourite food. It’s all about showing your whole Self true love and kindness.
‘You must go in quest of yourself, and you will find yourself again only in the simple and forgotten things’
Carl Jung
Another way to do this is to focus on the things that bring you happiness, from relationships to pets, favourite ‘happy places’, even possessions.
Today’s exercise
Spend ten minutes writing your own gratitude list. Things that make you feel thankful and blessed, some of which may be experiences that have taught you important lessons.