When Gray got into the station the following morning, he headed for the canteen and grabbed a coffee. Yet again he couldn’t stomach any food. He’d had to notch his belt tighter today. His clothes were beginning to hang off him. Standing waiting to pay, he felt a nudge in his back.
“At last,” said Fowler. “Glad you’ve made it in.”
“What’s going on?”
“Yvonne brought Jake Armitage in last night. She’s questioning him now. The station is abuzz, haven’t you noticed?”
Gray hadn’t. Though — now Fowler mentioned it — there was an urgency and excitement in the canteen. Lots of smiles and laughter. He’d been too focused upon himself. “For what?”
“The Sunset fire.”
She’d done it then. “We should be focusing on trying to find Khoury, not this.”
“No argument from me, Sol.”
“How did Carslake react?”
Fowler shrugged. “I haven’t seen him yet. Here’s Yvonne, though.”
Hamson entered and made her way directly over to Gray. “A word,” she said. Fowler raised an eyebrow at Gray as Hamson spun away. Gray could read Hamson’s emotion like a book printed in an oversized font. Defiance was written all over her face.
“I hear Jake’s in custody,” said Gray.
“I had him brought in last night. We’ve just taken a break.”
“Are you getting anywhere?”
“No, he won’t answer any questions. He wants to speak with you.”
“Why?”
“He won’t say.”
A fact which was clearly niggling Hamson. Gray asked, “What room’s he in?”
Hamson didn’t answer immediately, just stared at Gray. “You’re too close to all of this, Jake. The case. You two are like best buddies.”
“Yeah, you said last night.”
“Carslake told me. All about Millstone, the investigation. Why didn’t you?”
“Honestly? I was about to until you went off on one again. And Carslake ordered me not to.”
“I’m your commanding officer. Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course, but Carslake’s both our commanding officers. What he says goes. That’s the chain, Von.”
Hamson leant forward, got right into Gray’s line of sight. “I know what you’re up to.”
“What are you talking about?” Gray was genuinely perplexed. He’d never seen Hamson like this.
“With Carslake. Trying to get shot of me. All for a promotion. I thought you of all people were beyond stepping on others to move up.”
“I’m not interested in your job.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
“From who?”
“The who doesn’t matter, it’s the why.”
“How many years have we worked together?”
“Almost four.”
“And in that time when have I ever done anything to undermine you?”
“Times and people change.”
“Someone’s lying to you.”
Hamson nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Sergeant Gray. The culprit is looking right at me.”
“Von, this is ridiculous. Listen to yourself. You’re paranoid.” As soon as he said it, Gray groaned inside. He’d gone too far.
Hamson stood up and leaned over him. “From now on, it’s Guv, Boss, or Ma’am. No more friendly first-name stuff. Get it?”
Gray nodded. “In spades.”
“About time you did. He’s in three.” Hamson walked out, leaving the wreckage of a friendship in her wake.