Page 53 of Gone in the Night

‘A good story? These are innocent women who have been brutally murdered in cold blood.’

‘Yes, it’s very sad, but what can I do about that? They’re already dead, it’s too late for them.’

Stan looked at Cain who nodded. ‘He is an arsehole.’

‘Yes, Stan, he is.’

‘So what are you doing with me? I’m sure you have better things to be doing with your time than this?’

‘Taking you to cool off in the cells for a bit, mate, give you a chance to reflect on your appalling behaviour.’

‘Is Morgan around?’

‘No, she’s busy chasing a killer and you’re lucky it wasn’t her who came to get you because she’d have punched you square between the eyes like you deserve.’

‘Pity, I was hoping to get to speak to her. We have some unfinished business. I’d like to take her out for a drink.’

‘Shut up, Palmer, you actually make me feel physically sick.’

They drove to the station in silence.

Cain booked Palmer in and left him with the detention officer, who was gushing all over him, clearly thinking he was a bit of a catch. Ben was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for them.

‘Did you hear that?’ Cain asked.

He nodded. ‘What did you arrest him for?’

‘Perverting the cause of justice, being a class one arsehole wasn’t a good enough reason.’

Ben’s laughter echoed down the corridor. ‘Good work, Cain. Have you heard from Morgan?’

‘She is the reason Palmer is in the cells; she heard his interview and radioed me.’

‘She did? Good. She’s okay then?’

Cain nodded. ‘She’s fine. You know I don’t blame her for not looking for Amber.’

‘Why is that?’ Amber’s voice was loud in his ear from behind him.

Ben grimaced. Cain turned around to look at her. ‘Because you’re crap at brewing up.’

Amber looked confused. ‘Really, well you didn’t complain when I was providing you with more biscuits than the McVitie’s factory could make in one shift.’

Cain shrugged. ‘Fair point.’

Ben stepped between them. ‘Amber is happy to be working with us. Did you two speak to anyone from Lancs about Lydia Williams?’

‘Not yet, we ended up chasing smarmy Palmer down. Can we leave him as long as possible, like just until we have to let him go and let him stew awhile?’

‘Fine by me, unless the boss intervenes.’

Cain rolled his eyes because they both knew fine well Marc wouldn’t want Palmer languishing in a cell longer than he needed to. He wouldn’t want him writing anything detrimental about the department that would cause a stir with headquarters, especially not with PSD already being involved.

Amber left them and walked into the office to sit at Amy’s desk. Cain followed her in, finding it highly offensive that she was so brazenly making herself at home.

‘That’s Amy’s desk.’

Amber dead-eyed him. ‘And? She’s gone off to have a baby, Cain, I doubt she’s going to be needing it for quite some time.’