Wrongful Death Read Online Free

I’ve arranged for an FBI agent called Jessie Dewar to do some work experience with your team.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘All part of her research for a doctorate in Forensic Psychology. She’s in France at the moment.’
    ‘Have you met her?’
    ‘Yes, at a European homicide conference in Paris. She’s pleasant and seems very capable.’
    ‘Well, if you’re happy and you think she will fit in with the team . . .’
    ‘She starts tomorrow morning. Show her the ropes before we leave for the States. She’ll no doubt give you a heads-up about what to expect on the FBI course.’
    ‘Any more surprises for me?’
    ‘Yeah, I forgot that she lands at eight p.m. this evening, Terminal Five Heathrow. I’ve got a prior engagement and I wondered if you could . . .’
    ‘I’m sorry, I can’t, but I can arrange for a local detective to meet her.’
    Langton never ceased to amaze her, even after all these years, still trying to offload what he saw as the mundane things in life. She was annoyed that he hadn’t given her more notice.
    They were interrupted by a knock at the door and Paul Barolli walked in, to tell them he had finished reading the Reynolds file and was now off home. Langton was quick to seize the moment and ask Paul if he was doing anything that evening.
    ‘No, sir. You fancy a pint then?’ Barolli asked, thinking his new rank had knocked him up the social pecking order.
    ‘Maybe another time, but I need a favour.’
    ‘Then I’m just your man,’ Barolli smiled.
    ‘DCI Travis will be joining me at Quantico and FBI Agent Jessie Dewar will be working with the team in her absence.’
    ‘Right. I see,’ Barolli said with a forlorn look.
    ‘However, you will be running the show as SIO in DCI Travis’s absence.’
    Paul was chuffed with Langton’s faith in him and remarked that he wouldn’t let Langton or Anna down. He turned to leave the room but Langton continued.
    ‘Running the team’s not the favour. I was wondering if you could pick up Agent Dewar from the airport this evening.’
    ‘Sure, it’ll be a good opportunity to brief her on the Reynolds case.’
    ‘I’ve arranged the use of a Met-owned flat in Vauxhall for her,’ Langton said, handing Barolli a set of keys.
    ‘What does she look like?’ Paul asked.
    ‘Five seven, medium build, blonde hair.’
    Barolli felt none the wiser about Agent Dewar as he put the keys in his pocket and said good night.
    It was only after Langton had left the building that Anna had a chance to think about what it would mean for him to spend a whole year in the States working with the FBI. Like Mike Lewis, he too had a family. There was Laura his second wife and her daughter Kitty from a previous marriage, whom he had adopted. There was also their young son Tommy. She contemplated how Laura and the children would be feeling about his long-term absence. Although Anna did not know Laura, she could not believe that she would be happy about the situation. Anna’s past relationship with Langton had made her more than aware that he was never a man who put his family obligations above his career. Anna knew from experience that Langton could be difficult to live with and envisaged that he and Laura also had many ups and downs. It crossed her mind that maybe Laura didn’t care any more and was perfectly content to let him go to America. His family life was something he never discussed and a subject she knew was absolutely taboo.
    The automatic doors of the Terminal Five Arrivals area slid slowly open revealing a number of people pushing luggage trolleys, pulling suitcases, mothers with stroppy children. Barolli, holding a small sign with MS J DEWAR written on it in black marker, noticed a lone middle-aged, plain-looking blonde woman pushing a luggage-laden trolley. She matched the brief description Langton had given him of their new team member. Paul raised his sign and waved it at her.
    ‘I believe it’s me you should be waving at,’ an American voice said.
    The Jessie