Page 24 of One Left Alive

‘Sounds fair enough.’

Again, they glanced at each other; obviously not used to such a warm welcome, he thought to himself. He didn’t care. He could do his own thing. Morgan would do what he asked, and Amy rarely listened to anyone. She was always doing her own thing. The rest of the team could take up the slack and keep these two happy. As long as the three of them worked together on his little squad it would be fine.

‘There’s a briefing in the blue room in’ – glancing at his watch – ‘in an hour, that should give CSI a chance to get back. Is that okay with you both?’

They nodded.

‘Help yourselves to desks, whatever you need. Amy will sort you out.’

‘Thank you, that’s great,’ said Claire, the older-looking of the two.

If Ben had to choose, he’d say that Abigail would get the short straw and have to work down here with his team. Claire would pull rank, make the younger detective drive here every day.

He stood up. ‘Can I get you another drink?’

They both shook their heads.

‘Excuse me while I go make one then, I need coffee.’

He left them in his office and walked back into the larger one, where Amy was staring at Morgan, who had arrived, hair damp and out of uniform.

‘You found us then, bet you feel better after that shower.’

Amy swivelled her head to look at him.

Morgan smiled. ‘I do. I don’t like the smell of blood, especially when it’s dried on your clothes and every time you inhale it’s there.’

‘Amy, Morgan is going to be working alongside you for the foreseeable. She’s on a three-month attachment.’

‘I’m so excited to be able to work with you. I always wanted to be a detective.’

Amy glared at Ben. He was doing a great job of upsetting everyone he spoke with today.

‘Morgan, the first job, and probably one of the most important, is to learn where the brew cupboard is. Mine’s a strong coffee, two sugars. Help yourself to whatever. Amy drinks tea by the bucket, strong with no sugar.’

‘Amy, do you want a fresh drink?’

‘No, I’m good thanks, Morgan. I’ll show you where we keep our stuff. And he might be in charge, but he’s capable of making his own drinks, aren’t you, boss?’

‘Of course I am.’

‘So, only make him one if you want one yourself.’

Amy stood up and led Morgan out into the corridor to where the small kitchen was. He gave them a couple of moments then followed.

‘Look, I wanted you out here so I could tell you what’s happening without those two listening.’

‘And what’s that, boss?’

‘Those two are going to be running the investigation: one from HQ, the other from here.’

Amy crossed her arms, a look of anger flashing across her face. ‘What about us?’

‘We’ll do what we usually do, and then feed back to them. It’s complicated, so I’m not going to argue with them. I’m not stupid enough to turn down any extra help when we’re so thin on the ground, but you run everything through me first before you go to them.’

‘Fine by me.’

He looked at Morgan, who looked even more perturbed than she had earlier. ‘Morgan, is that okay with you?’