Dead Man's Time

in the current climate of cuts, best not
to let the press know.’
    ‘I don’t want the press to know in any event, sir. I need the element of surprise over there.’
    ‘Two other things. I know you’ve had previous experience in the USA, but don’t take any independent action without the full knowledge of the New York Police – which I
know you won’t. And also, I’m up for a Deputy Chief Constable appointment, so don’t do anything to embarrass me, okay?’
    Grace grinned. ‘Good luck with that, sir. And don’t worry, my role in New York will be purely liaison.’
    ‘Good luck to you too, Roy.’
    Grace had a heavy heart as he walked back to his car. He really did not want to go; he wanted to be at home to help and support Cleo, and he wanted to be with his son. Every time he left the
house he missed Noah. The thought of spending several days away from him made him unhappy. But he really could not see any option.

84
    His next-door neighbours were arguing! And the baby was crying.
    He loved it!
    But what Amis Smallbone loved most of all was the news Detective Superintendent Roy Grace had brought home to his beloved Cleo.
    ‘
Roy, do you really have to go?
’
    ‘
I do. I’m the one who has the relationship with the NYPD and we really need their help on this.
’
    ‘
I really need your help here. Surely with your whole merged Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Branch you have someone else who could take your place?
’
    Sitting in the big armchair on the top floor of his new house, smoking a cigarette and drinking whisky, Smallbone heard the words through his Bose headset. Detective Superintendent Roy Grace was
flying to America tomorrow, at 11.30 a.m. Leaving his beloved Cleo Morey behind. And their son, Noah.
    Uh oh.
    Not smart. Not smart at all. So many options dancing around in his brain. Disfigure Cleo Morey with acid. Kill the horrid little baby, Noah, who was crying now. Kill Cleo. Kill the baby. Break
the little bastard’s spine and paralyze it for life.
    Then watch Roy Grace wheeling around his little cripple.
    So many options. He was spoiled for choice, really he was. He listened intently over the sound of the little bastard baby screaming.
    ‘
Cleo, darling, you have to understand. It’s me who has the relationship with the NYPD, with Detective Pat Lanigan – his help is going to be crucial to
this.
’
    ‘
Does he know you have a two-month-old baby?
’
    ‘
I’ll only be a few days, I promise.
’
    ‘
I know you. You’ll be at least a week. And then probably another week. I understand your work is important, Roy, but you being around to help me with Noah is important
too.
’
    ‘
What about getting your mother or your sister to stay with you?
’
    ‘
I can ask my mother, but we’ll probably start killing each other after a few days. Charlie’s away in Shanghai on her new job.
’
    ‘
Cleo, this is a really important case for me. If I send someone else and they screw up, I’m never going to forgive myself. Come on, you know the score.
’
    ‘
Why can’t you send Glenn? He’s deputized for you before.
’
    ‘
Because his wife is being buried on Wednesday, okay?
’
    Another long silence. The baby was silent, too. Then Cleo spoke again.
    ‘
Who are you taking with you?
’
    ‘
Well, I wanted to take Jon Exton. But the idiot’s passport ran out in May. So I’m taking DS Batchelor, and a sharp new recruit on the team, DC Alexander. I’ll make
it up to you when I’m back, I promise.
’
    Oh yes, you will, Amis Smallbone thought. You’re going to be making it up to her by buying a beautiful coffin for your son. And I will be there at the funeral, standing a short distance
behind you with a smile on my face. So you will know, Detective Superintendent Grace. You will know who made you suffer. You will remember me for the rest of your life.
    He crushed out his cigarette, lit another, adjusted the volume level on his headphones with shaking hands, and continued to enjoy the show.

85
    As they had cleared immigration at New York’s Newark Liberty International airport, Roy Grace had texted Cleo. Landed! XX
    Then he had phoned the Incident Room and spoken to DC Alec Davies, who gave him an update over the past few hours Grace had been out of contact, but there was nothing significant to report.
    Now DS Guy Batchelor and DC Jack Alexander both had their suitcases loaded on their trolleys. Roy Grace, feeling increasingly glum, watched several unclaimed bags make their