Maggie looked across the room and smiled at Pete. She opened her bag and took out her laptop, ready to hook it up to the main police computer on her desk. She had heard from some of the others in the team that DI Calleja had been worried when he’d been asked to head the DAHU. She could understand his misgivings after watching the Violent and Sexual Offender Management Team struggling with resources, trying to deal with the most serious sexual and violent offenders. Apparently the DI was concerned that the good record he held in terms of conviction rates would start to plummet.
Although she had been with the team only for a short while, she was more than confident that they would get the desired results to keep the higher-ups off their case. When the DI had told Maggie about the civilian joining the team, she’d been looking forward to observing Dr Kate Moloney’s work with both the victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse. Kate came highly recommended, having played a massive role in developing the domestic abuse programme that many of the charity organizations currently used to reduce reconviction rates for domestic abuse perpetrators. Maggie had settled quite quickly into the team, so she had no fear about Dr Moloney doing the same. Her qualifications as a criminal psychologist would be an asset to the DAHU.
The team had been told that Dr Moloney would be popping in to meet them all today, and Maggie was startled out of her thoughts when she heard the phone ringing in DI Calleja’s office. Moloney had arrived. When the front office receptionist walked in ten minutes later with a young, goth female, Maggie could see the look of confusion on her colleagues’ faces. The young lady was escorted to their office and introduced as Dr Moloney. Maggie raised her hand and covered her mouth as she tried to hide her smile. DI Calleja did less well to cover his surprise.
‘You need some help closing that mouth of yours?’ Dr Moloney joked.
Maggie thought she detected a faint Irish accent. Maggie couldn’t help blushing; with her raven hair, dark and distinctive make-up, she was curious how someone so young could have all the accreditations behind her. For some reason, she was reminded of the conversation she had in the café with her brother and shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
‘Am I not what you were expecting, Detective Inspector?’ Directing her response to the DI, Dr Moloney leaned over and looked at the ID badge hanging around his neck. ‘Calleja? I can assure you that I’m old enough – and clever enough – to take on this job.’
It seemed Maggie wasn’t the only one staring.
‘Uh … OK … you caught me.’ The DI put his hands up in the air. ‘I guess I wasn’t expecting someone who … erm … looks like you, to be a criminal psychologist.’ Everyone in the room laughed as his neck reddened. ‘My apologies, Dr Moloney. Would you like to see your office and then come back and properly meet the team?’
‘There’s no need for formalities. Yes, if I could leave my things in my office and meet everyone, that would be grand.’
The team watched as DI Calleja and Dr Moloney made their way to the box-sized room with dull grey walls, a desk, chair, filing cabinet, and bookcase, which was just off the openplan area.
‘This is perfect.’ Kate touched the walls and bookcase and smiled. She seemed to be taking note of where she’d put her pictures, charts, and reference materials.
‘Great!’ the DI said. ‘I know it’s kind of small but when they set up this unit, the cutbacks meant we had limited space and bodies. To be honest, I was a little shocked when they agreed to second you to my team!’
‘Well, with the rise of murders within the context of domestic abuse, and Staffordshire having such a high volume recorded, I think they’d have a lot to answer for if they didn’t.’
No one could argue with that. Maggie liked Kate’s enthusiasm and attitude immediately. She hoped that her energy wouldn’t be dulled by DS Hooper, who had a knack for putting people’s noses out of joint.
‘Right then. I’m looking forward to meeting the team … lead the way.’