‘Does he have anyone in with him?’
Stuttle’s PA leapt to her feet to try to get to the door before Mona. She failed. ‘No he hasn’t but . . .’
‘Good,’ said Mona, throwing open the door.
Stuttle jumped at the noise, then gave a further guilty start as he realised who it was.
‘She doesn’t have an appointment, Mr Stuttle.’
‘It’s OK, really.’ He flashed his assistant a reassuring smile. ‘Just close the door on the way out.’
The PA left, with a final curious glance at Mona.
‘So, you’re back then, safe and sound?’
‘No thanks to you, sir. You nearly got us killed.’
‘Come now, Mona, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Anyway, police officers expect a bit of rough and tumble.’
‘Rough and tumble? You nearly got me shot!’
He conceded the point with a small nod.
‘And, sir, it seems to have slipped your mind that I’m not a serving police officer. I work for the HET, not the Armed Response Team. You sent us off to London without any warning of the dangers we were likely to encounter, or any way to defend ourselves.’
‘Yes, I’m afraid our intelligence did rather let us down on this one.’
‘Damn right it did! And even if it was all in a day’s work for me, you and your intelligence nearly got Scotland’s leading Virus academic killed. Have you told the First Minister that?’
‘Now, Mona . . .’
‘Or the Chair of the Parliamentary Virus Committee?’
Stuttle sat back in his chair and sighed. ‘Ian warned me that you were being less than co-operative. Sit down, Mona.’
‘I’d rather stand.’
‘I was under the impression that you wanted an in-depth discussion about recent events. You might want to take the weight off your feet while we talk.’
She considered this proposition, and sat.
‘As you have already discussed with Ian and Bob, I was rather hoping for some discretion about all this. And now that you appear to be done shouting at your superior officer, can I ask what you want from me? Can I expect you back here tomorrow with a union rep or would a heartfelt apology from me be enough?’ He folded his hands behind his head. ‘Or are you looking for a big fat pay rise and a promoted post back at CID?’
‘Neither of those things is of interest to me,’ she lied. ‘What I’m looking for is for you to listen to the dangers that you put HET staff in, day in, day out.’
‘HET staff are well aware that it is their own responsibility not to put themselves in positions where they may be at risk. Staff are trained on all this at their induction; we supply them with appropriate equipment . . .’
‘There is a limit, sir, to how much we can protect ourselves and still get the job done. We go knocking on the doors of some very unsavoury people.’
As quickly as she could, she ran through the events of the past two days, with a particular emphasis on where the HET’s systems had failed to work. Stuttle listened impassively until she sat back in her chair.
‘This Carole woman – is she likely to sue?’
‘I think she’s more worried about her son at the moment. Six weeks’ paid leave might help to head any legal action off.’
‘Consider that done. And the two assault charges can be made to disappear, without any HET staff having to get involved. But I’m not stepping into the middle of a drugs war. I think we just have to accept that the prostitute is collateral damage.’
‘I’m not so sure, sir.’
He raised an eyebrow.
‘The HET has a process for supporting Defaulters whose identity might be compromised by attending a Health Check. It usually gets used for victims of domestic violence, or people in witness protection. We want Alessandra flagged on our system as Not to Be Pursued. And in return for that one small favour, I’ll keep my mouth well and truly shut.’
‘That’s doable, but it’s not going to get Kerr off her back.’
‘Leave that to us, sir.’
‘Why? What are you . . . On second thoughts the less I know the better. Here.’ He opened one of his desk drawers and pulled out a wad of notes. ‘Get her on a train. I don’t care where she goes, just make sure it’s out of Scotland.’
‘And out of your jurisdiction, sir?’
‘Yes, out of my jurisdiction.’ He sighed. ‘I know you think that I’m some kind of monster, Mona, but the reality is we are dealing with an unprecedented situation. This Virus thing was supposed to be over months ago, and with every day that passes there’s some new threat to public health or public safety. We’re basically making things up as we go. If the HET is going to cry over every sad case it comes across we’re not going to be able to fulfil our primary purpose, which is protecting the well-being of the citizens of Scotland. Sometimes you have to see the big picture. Anyway, get out of here, and remember, if this all goes tits up, you are on your own.’
‘Thanks for the support.’
He smiled. ‘Despite your bleeding heart tendencies, Mona, you’ve a good grasp of how things work. Ever thought that your skills are wasted at the HET?’
‘Every moment of every day, sir.’ She stood up, but didn’t leave. ‘He knew my name, sir, the man that shot at me. I know Ian and Bob didn’t believe me, or chose not to. But I distinctly heard him address me as Ms Whyte.’
His face registered neither surprise nor concern. ‘You are in no personal danger, Mona. I’m sure of that.’
‘Did your intelligence tell you that, sir?’ She shoved the bundle of notes into her inside pocket. ‘I’ll close the door behind me.’