Snared by Ed James Page A

chance you could bring yourself to sending it up to us?”
    Reed sighed before making for the door. “Aye. I’ll get it sent up this afternoon.”

Chapter Twenty-One
    Y ou’ve been quiet.” Karen put her cutlery down.
    Vicky took a drink, finishing her can, and put it back on her tray. “Sorry. I’m just preoccupied.”
    “What with?”
    “I couldn’t find Forrester and decided to go to Fife. Considine was being a wanker about it.”
    “Do you think Forrester minded?”
    “Doubt it.” Vicky rubbed at the knot in her neck. “I don’t trust Considine, though.”
    “Me neither.” Karen took a drink of Dr Pepper. “You owe me one for the CCTV, by the way.”
    “Have you got anything?”
    “Nothing. Been through the CCTV and the Auto Number Plate thingy. And nothing on the building owners either. They said they’ve been looking for new tenants for that unit for over a year. The security guard was supposed to have gone round it once a week to check on it.”
    “Okay. That’ll be your hourly update for Forrester to pass up the way, I suppose.”
    “Can’t believe they’re making us do that.”
    “It’s a big case, Kaz. You know the rules.”
    “I still think you owe me one.”
    “That’s what a DC does. Sorry.”
    Karen smirked. “I know what a DS does.”
    “What?”
    “Flirting. I saw you with MacDonald over the road.”
    Vicky coughed. “It was just coffee.”
    “You don’t drink coffee.”
    “Okay, it was just coffee and Diet Coke.”
    “I’ll remind you when you shag him.”
    Vicky sat back and folded her arms. “We’re going to be working quite closely together. We were establishing a rapport.”
    “Is that what you call it? You’re blushing.”
    “Stop it.” Vicky picked at her pasta, eating a final mouthful before dumping her cutlery onto the plate. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sounds personal.”
    “It is.”
    “Fire away, then.”
    Vicky took a moment. “I bumped into my friend Liz last night. You know her?”
    “Think so.”
    “Well, she’s trying to get me to go on a date with some guy who’s just moved in next door.”
    “How do you feel about that?”
    “I don’t know.” Vicky clenched her fists, tugging nails along her palms. “Liz tries to do the best, you know? I just wish she’d stop interfering. It’s like people think I can’t cope.”
    “You can cope, Vicks.”
    “Can I?”
    “You’ve done this all of Bella’s life. It’s not easy this job, especially having to babysit clowns like Considine. Looked like you’ve got him whipped into shape at the briefing.”
    “Well, there’s that, I suppose.”
    Karen shook her bottle of Dr Pepper, the dark liquid fizzing up to the lid just before she tightened it. “What’s this guy like?”
    “I don’t know much. He’s a teacher. Liz says he gets on well with her husband.”
    “Dave Burns, right?”
    “Aye, him.”
    “Dave’s all right. My Colin used to play squash with him. He’s a good judge of character. Can’t play squash for toffee, though.” Karen pushed her hands across the table. “But, of course, you’re interested in DS MacDonald?”
    “No!”
    “Shut up, of course you are.”
    “Seriously, I’m not.” Vicky stared up at the ceiling, thick extract pipes leading from the kitchen to just above the nearest window. “What do you think I should do?”
    Karen shrugged. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
    “She was talking about tomorrow night.”
    “Go for it.”
    “What about Bella, though?”
    “We can take Bella, Vicks. Give your mum and dad some tim e off.”
    “I’d appreciate it.” Vicky smoothed down her skirt leg. “Look, I don’t know if Bella’s ready for it.”
    “Focus on yourself for once, Vicks.”
    “You know me. I can’t think of anything but the distant future.” Vicky tried to swallow and failed, her throat tight and thick with tears. “I always think about how I’m letting her down with it just being me on my own.”
    “Hey, hey, it’s