‘Are you completely spineless? When are you going to grow a pair and tell them where to go?’
Cameron Campbell fired the words at Celia Bassett, flecks of spittle flying in her direction. Celia knew she should reprimand him on the spot, suspend him for this abusive tirade, but somehow she didn’t have the strength this morning. He had burst into her office without warning, despite the fierce resistance of her loyal PA, and seemed determined to have his say. So Celia had relented, ushering her assistant out and pushing the door to, in an attempt to shield the rest of her team from Campbell’s fury. But allowing him an audience didn’t seem to be working – he was more enraged now than when he started.
‘From the beginning, you’ve rolled over, allowing them to do whatever they want –’
‘That is their prerogative. I can’t stop them –’
‘It’s not a question of stopping them. You have to handle them.’
‘Two murders have been committed. I have to let them invest—’
‘You let these suits think you’re weak and they will walk all over you. You have to make a stand.’
‘And what would be my rationale for refusing their request? Leah Smith was pregnant. We know that Jordi Baines had semen on her teeth. Surely you can see that DNA testing is a sensible move?’
‘What is sensible about alienating your entire staff in one fell swoop? The only reason this place isn’t in Special Measures already is because of the work that I and others like me do to keep these women in line. We do it every day for terrible pay, no thanks and fuck-all pension. The very least we deserve is the respect and support of those who claim to lead us.’
Campbell was staring directly at her now.
‘Well?’
‘Look, Cameron, I appreciate everything you do, but I can’t impede their investigation. Putting aside the fact that it would be wrong, what would happen if this got out? That we’d been deliberately obstructing justice?’
‘So it’s the headlines you’re worried about is it? Think they might affect your next move?’
‘Frankly, yes and so should y—’
‘Jesus Christ, you’re even more of a brainless bitch than I gave you credit for.’
‘For God’s sake, Cameron, I’m trying to be civil here –’
‘Oh, I think we’re past that. Fuck it, do what you have to do, but be aware that there will be consequences.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘You’ll find out.’
Glaring at Celia, Campbell turned and stormed out of her office, slamming the door on the way. Celia watched him go, embarrassed, but also a little relieved. Pulling open her desk drawer, she removed the bottle of Jameson’s and filled her empty glass. Her nerves were jangling and as she raised the glass to her lips, she was surprised to see that her hands were shaking. She would never admit it to others and often tried to deny it to herself, but the truth was that she was more than a little scared of Cameron Campbell.