Tainted Ground by Margaret Duffy Page B

arrival at Stonelake’s bungalow the previous night, because she had the day off. She told him that as long as he arrived during the next half-hour – she was going out – she could see him that morning.
    I did not deem it necessary to accompany Patrick, for after all I was not actually supposed to be holding the man’s hand. His departure had postponed my planning on having a chat with him about how much longer I would be needed and then, on second thoughts, I decided that this might be far easier resolved by talking privately to James. I left for Bath, borrowing Elspeth’s car, having left a message on Patrick’s mobile, which, unaccountably, was switched off.
    Manvers Street police station was in a state of what appeared to be organized turmoil and I found Carrick in his office.
    â€˜There’s good news,’ he said. ‘We found what gives every indication of being the murder weapon not half an hour ago – a large knife encrusted with blood.’
    â€˜Oh, brilliant! Where?’
    â€˜In amongst that heap of stolen horse tack at the farm. And as Lynn had already arrested Stonelake and charged him with handling stolen property, with a bit of luck we can prove he was an accessory to murder as well. Hopefully he’ll soon be singing his heart out.’
    â€˜But are the two crimes connected?’
    â€˜I’m keeping an open mind on that but they probably aren’t. Is Patrick here? He can sit in and get a few pointers when I question Stonelake shortly.’
    I did not mention that Patrick had once been one of Her Majesty’s prime interrogators of what used to be referred to as traitors, telling him instead where Patrick was. In fairness, though, it might be something of which Carrick was not aware.
    â€˜Oh, it doesn’t really matter, there’ll be other opportunities.’
    â€˜James …’
    In the middle of sorting files that had been placed on his desk and tossing them into various wire trays he paused and looked up. ‘Yes?’
    â€˜We need to talk.’
    â€˜I know. I’ve been thinking about it. There’s no need for you to stay any longer. Everything seems to be running smoothly.’
    I sat down and made myself comfortable. ‘You must be quite relieved that Patrick hasn’t blown his top by now. And no, James, nothing’s running smoothly.’
    He frowned.
    I said, ‘There’s absolutely no excuse for your continuing treatment of Patrick. I can’t go home. Not until there’s a working relationship between the pair of you that approaches what it used to be when Patrick worked for MI5 and you handled a couple of cases together that happened on your patch. But you’re virtually ignoring him.’
    The DCI steepled his fingers and rested his chin on them. ‘I know. But it’s not going to work and I’m not very good at handling things that I’m sure are going to fail.’
    â€˜You mean you don’t think Patrick will make a good policeman?’
    â€˜No, I genuinely think he will. But in London, perhaps working undercover for an outfit that isn’t quite so accountable as us ordinary plods. Here is where it’s going to fail.’
    â€˜You think of yourself as an
ordinary plod
when you’re only in your mid-thirties and already Detective Chief Inspector? Hasn’t it occurred to you that there could be mutual benefits in having this somewhat high-flown rookie with a background of national security dropped in your lap? Aren’t you ambitious? Wouldn’t you like a much better job in a special undercover outfit? In one of the new serious crime units being set up? Or in counter-terrorism? It doesn’t seem to have occurred to you that you can
use
this situation.’
    I had not meant to say most of this: it was just my being offended by proxy, so to speak.
    Carrick was saved from making any immediate response as there was a knock on the door and someone