Page 9 of The Scene of the Crime

‘It’s because I’m forever having to clean up after you,’ she said, holding the oil-stained kitchen roll out towards him.

He frowned. ‘It’s like living with Mrs Hinch. I’m off on a bike ride. I’ll see you in about an hour.’

‘Do you think riding a bike is wise if your back is playing up?’ she said.

‘I’m fine. It was just a little spasm.’

‘Suit yourself. You need to see a physio or book an appointment with the doctor before it gets worse.’

‘Give it a rest, Jessica,’ he said as he put on his helmet and walked his bike towards the front door.

‘That’s going to leave wheel marks in the hallway. Go out the back door through the garage,’ she said.

David sighed loudly, shaking his head, but did as she asked. When he’d gone Jessica got down on her hands and knees. Therewere still traces of oil on the kitchen floor. She got out a mop and bucket and started cleaning.

* * *

On Friday morning, Jessica returned to work at the Kent Police headquarters in Maidstone and spoke with the director of forensics, Chris Hadham. ‘You’ll be a significant loss for the crime scene unit, but I wish you well. And in the meantime, I won’t allocate you any major crime scenes so you can complete your outstanding paperwork.’

Jessica thanked him and went straight to her office. She was almost up to date with all her work, but she had a couple of cases she still needed to follow up on. She had her mobile on the desk, anxiously awaiting a phone call from Commander Williams. It was just after 9.30 a.m. when her phone rang. She grabbed it and hurriedly answered the call, only to discover it was Diane.

‘You heard anything yet?’ Diane asked.

‘No, have you?’

‘No, that’s why I’m calling you,’ Diane retorted.

‘Have you spoken to Taff?’

‘Yes, I called him. He hasn’t heard anything either.’

‘As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know,’ Jessica said, trying to sound positive.

‘I’ve never felt so nervous . . . it’s worse than being crossexamined at the Old Bailey.’

An incoming call warning appeared on Jessica’s phone screen, but she didn’t recognise the number. She hurriedly told Diane she had to go, ended their call and answered the unknown caller.

‘I’d like to tell you about our great new solar panelling . . .’

‘Piss off!’ Jessica told the unfortunate cold caller, slamming her phone down on her desk. She went to the canteen and got acoffee to calm herself down, but realising she’d left her phone on the desk, hurried back to the office.

Jessica noticed a missed call on her phone from an unknown central London landline. She tentatively dialled the number, not wanting to be caught out again and was relieved to hear Jordan, Commander Williams’s assistant, answering. He put her straight through to her.

‘Good morning, Jess. How are you today?’ Williams asked

‘Fine, ma’am, though I’m somewhat nervous about this call.’

‘Well, after much deliberation, it was decided that you were the best candidate to be the team leader for the MSCAN unit, so congratulations and welcome to the Met.’

Jessica almost spilled her coffee in her excitement. ‘Thank you, ma’am. It’s a real honour, and I’m looking forward to it.’ She was about to ask who else had been selected, but Commander Williams said she had a meeting with the Commissioner and asked Jessica if she could come to her office at 2 p.m. to discuss her appointment and some other exciting news she had for her. ‘Yes, of course,’ Jessica replied.

‘Good, see you then. Please keep things to yourself for the moment, as I’ve yet to inform the unsuccessful candidates. I’m happy for you to speak with your director of forensics so arrangements can start for your official transfer but kindly ask him to keep it to himself.’ She ended the call.

Jessica banged her fist on the desk in triumph. ‘You did it, Jess, you did it!’ She desperately wanted to phone Diane and Taff but knew Commander Williams would not be impressed if she found out. She just hoped they’d also been selected for the unit.

Jessica put her phone on silent and left it in the office when she went to speak with Hadham. He seemed genuinely pleased to hear her news. ‘Take the weekend off and celebrate properly, and I’ll have the paperwork completed quickly so you cantransfer to the Met a week on Monday if Commander Williams agrees. And we’ll organise a farewell drink next Friday if that’s OK.’

‘That would be great. Thank you.’