Wrongful Death Read Online Free Page B

obvious Langton and Jessie knew each other well but he wondered how the rest of the team would take to her, especially DCI Travis, who thanks to Langton’s description would be expecting to meet a plain Jane

Chapter Three
    Anna was in good spirits the next morning, thrilled about her trip to the FBI Academy at Quantico. She knew that she should be drawing up things about the cold case to go over with Dewar but a list of what to pack and take with her seemed more important. She had decided to wait and tell the rest of the team about her US trip when Agent Dewar arrived at the office and introductions were made. In her excitement it hadn’t crossed her mind to tell Paul Barolli to let her be the bearer of the news to the rest of the team.
    Barolli entered the main office with a spring in his step.
    ‘Morning, ladies, have I got a bit of news for you two,’ he said to Joan and Barbara, who were sitting drinking coffee.
    ‘You’ve got a girlfriend,’ Barbara said, sarcastically.
    ‘Ha-ha.’ Barolli looked around the room to make sure no one else was in earshot. He moved closer to the two women.
    ‘Just between us, Travis is off to the States on the FBI course with Langton, and Special Agent Jessie Dewar is attached to the team as from today.’
    ‘You serious?’ asked Barbara.
    ‘Yes. Langton told me last night. I had to pick Dewar up from the airport. Langton got her a Met flat in St George’s Wharf. He even turned up there after ten o’clock with champagne and roses.’
    ‘How romantic,’ Joan said.
    ‘Did he stay the night?’ Barbara asked, always wanting to know the gritty details when it came to gossip.
    ‘Don’t be stupid!’ Barolli said in Langton’s defence.
    ‘Who’s taking over as SIO while Travis is away?’ Joan asked.
    ‘Me. Langton said I will be team leader in her absence,’ Paul said proudly.
    ‘You must be joking. You’ve only been a DI two minutes,’ Barbara exclaimed loudly.
    Anna, distracted by Barbara’s booming voice, looked up through her office window and instinctively knew that gossip had to be on the menu.
    ‘What’s Agent Dewar like?’ Joan asked.
    ‘Drop-dead gorgeous, thirty-ish, great figure, amazing complexion and sensuous lips,’ Barolli said, wanting to irritate Barbara.
    Joan and Barbara suddenly pretended to be busy on their computers, but the Detective Inspector failed to recognize the significance of this.
    ‘And to whom are you referring, DI Barolli?’ Anna asked, coming up behind him.
    Paul cringed, looking as if he wished the ground would open up and swallow him. He turned to face her.
    ‘Sorry, ma’am, I wasn’t talking about anyone in particular.’
    Anna took Paul into her office and reminded him that throw-away sexist remarks could lead to an official complaint and discipline.
    ‘While I am away you’re the one who will have to lead by example and make the important decisions. It’s all about earning their respect, and believe me that doesn’t come easily.’
    ‘I’m sorry, ma’am, it won’t happen again.’
    ‘Right, that’s the bollocking over. So drop-dead gorgeous and sensuous lips aside, what’s this Dewar like?
    ‘A bit abrupt, but I put it down to her being tired after a long day,’ Paul said, deciding it was best not to mention Langton turning up at the flat.
    ‘Our interview with Taylor at Belmarsh has been arranged for tomorrow morning at half-eleven.’ Anna showed Paul the signed document the prison had faxed her.
    Paul again apologized and went back into the main office as Langton and Jessie Dewar entered the incident room. Barbara, never one to miss a trick, was straight out of her seat, introducing herself to Dewar and informing her that Barolli had told them all about her. Langton glared at Barolli, wondering what else he had told the team, and ushered Dewar away into DCI Travis’s office.
    Anna looked up from her desk as Langton entered with Dewar. The agent was wearing a neat navy-blue jacket, matching knee-length