Chapter 46
‘I’ve had a chat with a couple of the boys in CID about our new recruit,’ Stanford said.
He handed Henley her vodka and tonic. They both turned to their left where Copeland was talking animatedly to Ramouter and Ezra on the other end of the table.
The early arrival of Stanford and Eastwood, from Manchester, had also meant the promise of welcome drinks at their local being granted.
‘Have you been gossiping again?’ Henley jested back to Stanford.
‘You may call it gossiping, but I call it reasonable enquiries.’
‘What are we talking about?’ Eastwood asked as she ripped open a packet of crisps.
‘The woman who you’re not a fan of,’ said Stanford.
Eastwood tutted. ‘She grates me.’
‘You’re not the only one,’ Stanford whispered. ‘Apparently, her guvnor has been looking for a way to get rid of her months. She’s undermined him more than once and was reprimanded in court for her overzealousness when arresting a suspect.’
‘I should be surprised, but I’m not,’ said Henley as Copeland broke out into laughter at whatever Ezra had just told her.
‘The guy I spoke to—’
‘You weren’t speaking to my ex, Terry, by any chance?’ asked Eastwood. ‘You know what he’s like. He has a very strange relationship with the truth.’
Despite the seriousness of the conversation, Henley couldn’t stop herself from laughing. ‘That’s an understatement. So, was it Terry?’ she asked.
‘No, it wasn’t. It was his partner, Phil,’ said Stanford.
Eastwood rolled her eyes. ‘Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum,’ she said.
‘The point is, according to him, Copeland isn’t averse to throwing her colleagues under the bus to get what she wants,’ said Stanford as Pellacia returned to his own seat next to Eastwood and picked up his pint. ‘Whether that’s a result or to be lead on a case.’
‘Why do I get the feeling you three are conspiring,’ said Pellacia.
‘Us three. Conspire? Never, guv,’ said Stanford.
Henley tuned out as Stanford, Eastwood and Pellacia talked about a new piece of gossip that had made it to his ears. She couldn’t help but feel unsettled as she watched how Copeland was interacting with not just Ramouter, but with Ezra. There was a smugness about her that Henley didn’t like.
‘Copeland,’ Henley called out as she nudged Stanford to get out of her way. ‘Do you mind stepping out for a bit?’ she said with a smile.
Copeland looked up with clear suspicion in her eyes. ‘Of course, guv,’ she finally said.
‘What are you doing, Anj?’ Pellacia hissed.
‘It’s fine,’ said Henley, picking up her drink. ‘I’ll bring her back in one piece.’
‘Is everything all right, guv?’ Copeland asked. She pulled the sleeves of her jumper over her hands, protecting herself against the chill.
‘I know that joining the SCU can be a bit of a baptism of fire,’ Henley said, making it clear that she was not going to answer Copeland’s question.
‘I can’t say I’m not surprised with how intense it’s been, but that’s not to say I can’t handle it.’
‘No one is saying that you can’t handle it, but it’s the way you’ve handled it.’
‘Is this about the Ben Trezeguet interview?’ Copeland asked in a manner that suggested she’d been preparing for the conversation. ‘Did Ramouter say something?’
‘No, DC Ramouter hasn’t said a word,’ Henley lied, feeling an overwhelming wave of protectiveness towards her partner. ‘I’m the SIO so I’m going to be reviewing everything, which includes watching the interviews conducted by my team.’
‘I don’t think I did anything wrong. I asked the right questions,’ Copeland said defensively.
‘Anyone reading the transcript will probably agree but it’s different when you see it.
You went in too hard and you revealed sensitive information about the scalping to a man who makes his living by trespassing on crime scenes and talking about it on YouTube.
You risked undermining not only yourself but also DC Ramouter.
You don’t get a prize for being the loudest one in the room or for breaking down a witness. ’
‘Ben Trezeguet was a suspect not a—’
‘Copeland, two things. Learn how to adapt to changes and second, learn to take advice. Understood?’
Copeland nodded reluctantly.
‘Good,’ said Henley as she finished her drink. ‘It’s my round. Red wine for you?’
‘Yes,’ Copeland replied flatly as she followed Henley back into the pub.
Ramouter searched his jacket pockets and came up empty.
‘Bollocks,’ he said. His phone was definitely not there.
The last time he could remember using his phone was when he’d shown Stanford his fantasy football stats in the pub.
He felt lost. There was no way of calling Michelle to check if she and Ethan’s train had arrived at Euston Station.
‘Oh, shut up,’ Ramouter said to the chirping budgie on his way back to the kitchen. He was cutting cucumbers when there was a loud knocking on the flat door.
He left the kitchen, knife still in hand, and opened the front door.
‘Wow, I’ve never seen someone look so surprised in my life,’ Copeland said with a laugh. She pulled out her hair from under the collar of her parka. ‘Also, word of advice from one copper to another. Maybe you shouldn’t answer the door with a huge knife in your hands.’
Ramouter looked down at his hand. ‘Sorry. I wasn’t … what are you—’
Copeland held up her hands mockingly and laughed. ‘Don’t panic. I’m not stalking you. I convinced Eastwood to give me your address, not that she made it easy for me and the main door was already open.’
‘Right,’ Ramouter said, still confused as to why Copeland was at his flat.
‘Your phone,’ Copeland said. She reached into her pocket and removed Ramouter’s phone. ‘I found it under the table in the pub.’
‘Thank you so much. I didn’t even realise,’ Ramouter said, taking his phone.
‘It’s been ringing a lot,’ Copeland said as Ramouter swiped the screen.
Missed calls from Michelle, messages from the WhatsApp group that he was in with his brothers and cousins.
He rang Michelle back but was immediately answered with her voicemail greeting.
He pondered why his wife’s phone was off when Copeland coughed.
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ said Ramouter. ‘Come in and thanks for doing this, especially as it’s so out of your way.’
‘Not a problem. I’m never in that much of a hurry to get back to Kentish Town,’ she said as she followed Ramouter back into the kitchen. ‘What are you making?’
‘Lasagne,’ Ramouter replied ‘It’s the one thing I can cook that makes Michelle think she married a gourmet chef even though we both know the sauce came from a jar.’
‘Lucky woman,’ said Copeland as she leaned against the counter. ‘My ex could burn water and the last time I tried to make a lasagne, well, it’s best not to talk about that disaster.’
Ramouter smiled politely as he took the garlic bread out of the fridge.
He could hear Henley’s words repeating in his head, warning him to be careful with Copeland.
He still wasn’t sure if Henley was just being overprotective of him or simply didn’t like the fact that Copeland hadn’t been afraid to challenge her in front of the team.
He didn’t say anything as he caught Copeland taking off her coat as though she intended on staying for dinner.
‘I know we had a nice time in the pub earlier but, I’m not sure how to bring this up,’ Copeland said. She picked up a jar of mixed herbs and turned it over in her hands before placing it back on the counter.
‘Bring what up?’ Ramouter asked.
‘I was just wondering if Henley was being nice to me because I spoke to the guvnor about how she was treating me.’
Ramouter’s eyes widened with the realisation that Stanford’s guess that Copeland had complained about Henley was true. ‘Why would you do that?’ he asked.
‘Would you have let someone talk to you the way she did?’ Copeland asked. ‘It was embarrassing. She couldn’t make it any clearer that she didn’t want me in the team.’
‘I don’t think that’s true at all. Henley’s always grateful when we get any kind of extra support.’
‘She has a funny way of showing it. She said some things to me outside that made me think she was the reason my previous applications to join the SCU were refused. You know what the force is like, always spreading stupid rumours.’
‘I haven’t heard anything about you,’ Ramouter said quickly as his ears picked up the sound of activity at his front door.
Copeland moved and blocked Ramouter’s way.
‘You don’t have to spare my feelings,’ she said.
‘I know what people have said about me. A couple of appearances before the misconduct panel and your name becomes mud. People are allowed to make mistakes, but people seem very reluctant to move on. Why do you think I’ve been stuck at Detective Constable level for so long. ’
‘You think you’ve been blocked from promotion because of what—’
‘I know I have,’ Copeland said urgently. ‘The only person who hasn’t prejudged me is the guvnor and you, but Henley—’
‘Look, I didn’t know about the misconduct panel and I’m sure that whatever happened, well, you’ve learned from it.’
‘You’re very kind,’ Copeland said, taking hold of Ramouter’s arm. ‘It’s a good thing I met you when I did.’
Ramouter could feel Michelle staring at him before he even heard her.
‘Daddy,’ Ethan shouted. He dropped his rucksack onto the floor and ran towards Ramouter.
‘Have you grown in a week?’ Ramouter said. He picked up Ethan who squealed with laughter and kissed him. ‘How is my boy?’
‘Good. Who are you?’ Ethan asked with all the innocence and audacity of a five-year-old as he looked down at Copeland.
‘I’m Xania,’ said Copeland. ‘I work with your dad.’
‘My daddy goes to work with Auntie Anjelica,’ said Ethan stubbornly. Ramouter lowered Ethan to the ground, and he ran off to retrieve the remote control from the sofa.
‘Auntie Anjelica?’ Copeland said. She adjusted her coat in her arms. ‘I didn’t realise you were so close.’