Chapter 31 #3
‘Because I try my best not to disturb your home life unless it’s serious and two, when I think about it, not everything I do, as your boss, needs your input Detective Inspector Henley.’
Stunned, Henley took a short step back. She wasn’t used to Pellacia calling her by her full title when it wasn’t official business, in front of their superiors or discussing a case in a news conference.
‘We shouldn’t have found out the way we did,’ said Henley. ‘And Copeland of all people.’
‘That was Barker’s decision not mine. Copeland isn’t costing us any money and she’s invested in the case.’
‘Please,’ Henley muttered as Pellacia paced the yard ‘She’s not interested in this bloody case. She’s interested in Ramouter.’
‘Don’t you think you’re seeing something that isn’t there?’
‘No, I do not. Her behaviour. Putting herself in places where she has no right to be. I’ve seen what she’s like with him. Her interest isn’t just this case. Trust me on this one.’
‘I do. Trust you, that is.’
‘Do you really Stephen? Because honestly it doesn’t feel like it. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going with you.’
‘It works both ways Anj.’
Henley closed her eyes, turned her back and walked towards the railings. She could sense that Pellacia was hurt, and she hated the fact that she was the cause of it. She held her breath and she listened to his steps as he moved closer to her. The last thing she wanted was for him to touch her.
‘I would have liked to have been given a bit of notice before Copeland walked through the door,’ she said, turning around and finding herself far too close to Pellacia. She stepped back. ‘I’m leading this investigation, and I can’t do my job properly if things are being hidden from me.’
‘What else am I hiding from you?’
‘A lot. You don’t tell me everything that’s said in those meetings you’re constantly being called to. I know you’re under pressure, Stephen, but you don’t usually keep things from me – especially when it comes to the SCU.’
‘I’m not going to pretend this job is easy because it bloody isn’t and there are times when I walk into our office and I see you and …
trust that I always try and make the right decision for the SCU,’ Pellacia said.
‘But speaking of hiding things. When were you going to tell me about your secret investigation into Rhimes?’
Pellacia’s question hit Henley like a punch to her stomach. ‘What are you—’
‘Don’t. Don’t do that, Anj. You’ve never lied to me. Don’t start now.’
Henley looked away and faced the wall. ‘How did you find out?’ she asked.
‘How do you think? Eloise. She’s worried about you. You’re ignoring her calls and texts.’
‘It’s not like that. I’ve been busy.’
‘Don’t give me that. You’re not known for leaving people hanging. You left Eloise unread and now she’s got it into her head that digging into Rhimes’s death has triggered your PTSD.’
‘When did she tell you?’
‘A couple of weeks ago.’
‘A couple of weeks?!’ Henley exclaimed. ‘So, what were you waiting for? For me to have a complete breakdown at your front door?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I wasn’t,’ Pellacia said, visibly hurt. ‘What I was waiting for was for Eloise to tell me that she’d put an end to it and was getting on with her life. When she called me last night I thought it was over but it’s not. You haven’t stopped, have you?’
Henley said nothing but walked away and opened the back door that led to the old custody suite.
Pellacia stepped in front of Henley and pushed the door shut. ‘Who’s helping you?’ he demanded.
‘What are you doing? Get out of my way,’ Henley voice was raised as she pulled on the handle.
‘Stanford? Eastie?’
‘Stephen! Let me through.’
‘You haven’t asked Ezra, have you?’ Pellacia placed his hands on Henley’s shoulders and turned her towards him.
‘It’s not what you think.’ Henley was unable to form a lie.
‘That’s exactly what I think, and I want you to stop.’
‘Stephen. He’s not—’
‘It’s like telling a kid not to touch the cooker because it’s hot. It’s obvious you won’t listen to me, so I’m going to have to tell Ezra myself. That he’s to stay out of it. ’
‘He’s not involved. Not anymore,’ Henley said with resignation. ‘Don’t say anything to him. It’s done.’
‘Why are you putting yourself through this?’
‘I’m not doing anything to myself. Eloise asked me to help her, so I’m helping her.’
‘But why keep it to yourself? Why not let me, Stanford or even Eastie help you?’
‘We don’t all need to be involved and distracted with Rhimes when we have this vigilante case going on. I’m protecting the SCU and I’m protecting you. You act as if you haven’t suffered too, when I know you have.’
Pellacia stared at Henley as though he was searching for the truth.
‘Remember what you said,’ said Henley. ‘I’ve never lied to you.’
‘I feel as though you enjoy manipulating me,’ Pellacia answered sadly.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘You. Us. I follow you blindly and then you let me down.’
Henley felt her breath catch in her throat.
‘I’m not doing this with you,’ she eventually said. ‘This has nothing to do with us.’
‘Your actions don’t match your words, Anj. They never have.’
‘You want to go through all this again? You want me to tell you again why I can’t leave my family? I’m not going to do that, Stephen. I’m not going to take precious time away from this investigation to talk about something that doesn’t exist anymore.’
‘Would it make a difference if I told you that Laura and I … she wants something that I can’t give her,’ Pellacia spoke as though he hadn’t heard Henley’s words. As though he knew that this time she was lying.
‘No, it wouldn’t make a difference,’ Henley’s voice broke.
‘And you’re content to be in an unhappy marriage with a man who doesn’t understand you or support you?’
‘Just because Rob and I have problems like any other married couple doesn’t mean that it’s unhappy.’
Pellacia snorted with displeasure. ‘Keep telling yourself that.’
‘Why don’t you focus more on the SCU and less on what happens outside of it? What I do in my spare time has absolutely nothing to do with you.’
‘Are you serious? You’ve dragged Ezra into this, and you really think that what you’re doing doesn’t impact me? I don’t understand why you’re being so selfish.’
‘How am I being selfish?’
‘By taking advantage of a widow’s grief and giving her hope when there isn’t any. Let it rest and focus on what you’ve got to do in this building. Stop thinking of yourself for once.’
‘Wow.’ Henley shook her head with disbelief. ‘Anything else you’d like to share?’
‘Yes. Do your job or I’ll think nothing of getting someone else in to do it for you.’ Pellacia snapped. He walked back into the building slamming the door behind him, leaving Henley outside alone.