Matilda managed to catch ACC Valerie Masterson as she was about to leave for the day. She turned off the lamp on her desk and the coffee machine, which she still hadn’t been able to get working. With Matilda in tow, they made their way down through the building and towards the car park.
Matilda talked her through the developments, the unknown fingerprints at Iain Kilbride’s flat and the trace on the computer from Clara’s bedroom.
‘You want to apply for a warrant to search his home?’
‘I do.’
‘It’s too late for tonight but go to the Magistrate first thing in the morning.’
‘I will.’
‘I know it’s early days in the Murder Investigation Team and you’ve been thrown in at the deep end but you seem to be relishing the responsibility.’
‘Thank you,’ Matilda beamed, slightly taken aback at such praise. ‘It’s not just me. I have a very dedicated team.’
‘Yes you do, and you chose them so take the compliment. I don’t give them very often.’
Matilda blushed. ‘Thank you. I really do appreciate it.’
‘Good. Remember what I told you about the MIT in South Yorkshire? I need this to be a success.’
‘It will be.’
‘I know. We’re going to come under some scrutiny for a while until the media get used to us so we’ll have to ride the storm.’ She pushed opened the door at the back of the building and was hit in the face by a blizzard. ‘Speaking of storms,’ she laughed as the light flakes whipped around them.
They said goodbye and began to walk to their respective cars. Valerie, who had the prime parking spot, left first. She beeped at Matilda, waved, and turned left to the outskirts of Sheffield in her four-wheel drive.
Matilda was suddenly alone in the poorly lit car park. The strong wind howled around the building and the snow was getting thicker. She had always ignored the dangers of being a woman alone in an isolated place, but now she felt the tingle of fear. With her collar up and head down, she took large strides to her car.
‘Matilda.’
The call was lost in the wind and by the time it reached her ears it was merely a whisper. She looked around. Nobody was there. Snow blew into her face and stung her eyes. She turned back to her car, key aloft in her freezing cold hand.
‘Matilda.’
Louder this time but still a whisper, it caused her to stop in her tracks. She turned, trying to look unfazed, and swallowed hard when she saw that nobody was there. She was sure she recognized the voice but couldn’t pinpoint it.
‘Hello?’ She called out. She tried to sound confident but her voice broke. Her mouth was dry and her throat constricting. No reply came. Once more she turned back to her car, put the key in the lock, lifted the handle and pulled open the door.
From behind, a leather-gloved hand pushed the car door and slammed it closed. The sound died in the windy and empty car park. Matilda froze. She could hear heavy breathing and feel the presence of someone’s body heat. Whoever it was, they were standing right behind her.
‘I know it’s early days but you seem to be relishing the responsibility,’ the voice was deep and mocking, echoing the words Valerie Masterson had spoken in the corridor on the top floor of the police station.
Matilda turned and looked into the bloodshot eyes of DI Ben Hales. ‘Ben! What the hell do you think you’re doing? You scared me half to death. Were you listening?’
‘It was difficult not to. Neither of you have the quietest voices in the station. I was almost sick. Any more saccharine comments and we’d have all needed treatment for diabetes.’
‘You’re jealous!’
‘Jealous?’ Hales scoffed. ‘Of you? Don’t make me laugh. Don’t you see, you were only given the job because you’re a woman. There’s a severe lack of women in high-profile roles so they hired you to make up the numbers.’
‘I wondered how long it would be before that was mentioned. Poor you. Poor Ben Hales. You’re blaming women because you didn’t get the job. Haven’t you looked at yourself lately? You may be a good DI, I’m not denying that, but you don’t have the personality to be a DCI.’ Matilda opened the car door, forcing Hales to step back. ‘There doesn’t need to be this bitterness between us, Ben. Go home, have a good, long look at yourself and tomorrow, make sure you come to work as an adult.’
Matilda started the car and drove away quickly. She may have sounded confident and tough but beneath she was shaking. Ben really wanted her job. It made her wonder what he would do to get it.