Page 91 of Into the Fire

‘Who then?’

‘Well, we’re still deciding.Not that it’s any of your business, but my intention was to speak first to DC McAnd—’

‘It has to be me,’ Helen interrupted forcefully.‘Ellie’s not experienced enough, she doesn’t have sufficient pull and she’s never handled an international investigation.’

‘Absolutely not, Helen.There’s no way that—’

‘I’ve have broken up more smuggling rings than you’ve had hot dinners.I’ve worked successfully with the Dutch police before and, let me tell you, no one will work harder to bring that piece of shit to justice.’

‘Helen, can you even hear yourself?’Holmes protested indignantly.‘You’re not a police officer anymore.You walked away from here.You can’t just pick up the baton again when you feel like it.’

‘That was then.This is now,’ Helen replied, glowering at her old boss.

‘No, no.It doesn’t work like that.You resigned, you washed your hands of us, you don’t get to call the shots.But please be under no illusion, we will pursue Visser to the ends of the earth if necessary.We will bring him to book, you have my word on that.’

‘Well, apologies if I don’t break into applause, but I know what your word is worth.’

Rebecca Holmes looked like she was about to explode, but Helen continued assertively:

‘Empty words, empty promises.And that won’t wash here.This man must be caught, he must be made to answer for his crimes and I will see that he does so.The MIT ismyteam,Charlie’s well-being ismyresponsibility, this investigation ismyinvestigation.’

Helen fixed the station chief with a steely glare, as she concluded:

‘I want back in.’