Page 82 of One Left Alive

‘It’s not like on the television, is it?’

Amy spat crumbs of brownie all over herself, almost choking on the laughter which erupted.

‘No, it definitely is not. We don’t manage to solve the crimes in an hour.’

‘That’s not what I meant, it just seems so effortless and all the clues fall into place.’

‘Sometimes they do, if you get someone who has committed a crime on the spur of the moment and not planned it, then yes, they tend to leave lots of forensics behind. It’s much easier to catch those kinds of criminals. These killings have been well thought out, though, which makes it difficult but not impossible.’ Amy looked towards Ben’s office and sighed gently. ‘He’s a big softie under that really rough exterior. He’s had an extremely shitty day. It was awful at the hospital and now this. I worry about him, but don’t tell him that.’

Morgan laughed. ‘I won’t, I feel bad for him. Do you think he’ll be all right?’

Neither of them realised Ben had come out of his office. He picked up a coffee and a slice of cake.

‘Who?’

‘The guy I was talking to earlier.’

Ben shrugged. ‘No, idea. Thanks, this is really good.’

She watched as he demolished it in three bites.

‘God you’re a pig.’ Amy was watching him with a look of horror on her face. ‘Did you even taste that?’

Just like that the mood was lifted. He gave her the finger and washed down his cake with a huge mouthful of coffee.

‘Let’s call it a day, guys, there’s nothing we can do at the moment. The powers that be up at headquarters are all arguing about putting a surveillance team on Barker. You know what this place is like, he’ll end up killing another three people before they come to an agreement. It’s been a long, crappy day. Thank you both for everything.’

‘What, so we’re dismissed?’

He nodded at Amy, who whooped.

‘Get in, I’m going to the pub to meet Jack. Anyone coming?’

‘No, thanks. I’m going home to sleep.’

Morgan declined. Realising Ben would need a lift, she waited for him.

‘I’ll drop you off.’

‘Thank you, I forgot I didn’t have a car.’

Amy was out of the door before he changed his mind.

Ben grabbed some files off his desk, stuffing them into a bag.

* * *

On the drive home, Morgan wanted to ask him if he was okay, as he didn’t look particularly like he was. As the car idled outside his house and he opened the door, she plucked up the courage.

‘Ben are you going to be all right?’

He turned to look at her. ‘I am, thank you. You don’t need to worry or come back later and smash another window. If you have to come back, I’ll let you in, it’s less messy.’

She smiled. ‘I, well. If you need to talk you can ring me anytime.’

‘Thank you.’

He turned away, but not before she saw the tears glistening in his eyes and it made her want to get out of the car and hug him. She didn’t, in case he thought she was going a bit too far; instead she waved at him and drove away wishing she wasn’t going back to her empty flat.