Stop Dead (DI Geraldine Steel)

meet you. How long have you been here?’
    ‘Three years. You new to the Met?’
    ‘Haven’t you heard? I’m a county mounty.’
    ‘I transferred here from the West Country three years ago, when I was promoted to inspector, but it’s not so bad. London’s not the friendliest of cities, but you get used to it. It’s a huge force, of course, but from what I hear, you’re already making a bit of a name for yourself.’
    He smiled kindly, and Geraldine felt herself blush.
    ‘I do my best,’ she muttered.
    ‘Working on anything right now?’
    ‘No, just clearing up a few odds and ends of paperwork.’
    Nick gave a sympathetic groan.
    ‘Oh those bloody odds and ends of paperwork. I’ll let you get on then. I’ve just been assigned a new case. I’ll tell you about it when we’ve got time, but right now –’
    He picked up the file on his desk with a resigned shrug.

     
    When Geraldine was ready for a break she invited Nick to accompany her but he shook his head, smiling.
    ‘Thanks, but I’ve got something I really need to finish.’
    She was sipping coffee in the canteen when Detective Sergeant Samantha Haley entered the canteen and strode purposefully up to the servery. Geraldine had worked with Sam on her previous case and her colleague’s cheerful grin broadened when she turned round and saw her. She approached, clutching a mug of coffee and a plate.

     
    ‘You joining me?’
    For answer, the young sergeant sat down and took a huge bite of her pastry.
    ‘Mmm,’ she grinned, her lips dusted with fine sugar. ‘You really should try these, Geraldine. They don’t do much that’s nice here,’ she added, glancing towards the servery to make sure no one could hear her, ‘but these pastries are fantastic. I mean, I know they don’t make them here, but even so –’
    She had a tendency to speak very fast, as though she was permanently in a hurry. Geraldine watched Sam tucking into the pastry, envying the young sergeant’s ability to eat so heartily without putting on weight; slim rather than thin, with well-toned arms that verged on muscular.
    ‘So?’ Sam asked as she finished a mouthful.
    She licked her sticky fingers and wiped them carefully on a serviette.
    ‘How’s things?’
    ‘Can’t complain. How about you?’
    Sam nodded complacently and they smiled at one another.

     
    ‘I see Nick Williams is back.’
    ‘Yes. I met him just now.’ Geraldine leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘What’s he like, Sam?’
    ‘He’s nice enough,’ Sam answered promptly. ‘If you have to share an office, you could do worse, I suppose.’
    Geraldine frowned at the sergeant’s evasive response as Sam turned her attention back to her pastry. Geraldine waited, sipping at her coffee, noting the tension in her colleague’s voice.
    ‘What else, Sam?’ she asked at length.
    ‘Why the sudden interest in Nick Williams?’
    ‘It’s just that I’m sharing an office with him, that’s all.’
    ‘Watch out, Geraldine, he’s married,’ Sam teased her, laughing. ‘And he’s an arsehole,’ she blurted out.
    Geraldine was taken aback by the sergeant’s unexpected flash of anger.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘It’s nothing. I didn’t mean that. He’s alright. But be careful, that’s all.’
    Geraldine was puzzled.
    ‘He struck me as a nice guy, that’s all. Or am I missing something?’
    Sam just shrugged.

     
    ‘So, how’s things with you?’ Geraldine asked, when it was obvious Sam wasn’t going to say anything else about Nick. ‘Still happily single?’
    Sam gave a sheepish grin.
    ‘Actually, I might be seeing someone, but it’s early days. You know how it is. There’s nothing to tell yet.’
    ‘Anyone I’ve met?’
    ‘No.’
    Sam didn’t seem inclined to talk about her new girlfriend, so Geraldine didn’t pursue the subject.

     
    When Geraldine returned to her office Nick was on the phone. She waited for him to finish his conversation before approaching his desk.
    ‘Nick, there’s something I’d like to ask you –’
    ‘Fire away.’
    She wasn’t convinced it was wise to quiz him about Sam, and resolved to be circumspect. But her curiosity was aroused. She couldn’t just ignore the vindictive tone that had crept into Sam’s voice when they had been discussing him. Sam could be outspoken, but she wasn’t malicious.

     
    ‘It’s about DS Haley.’
    ‘Sam?’
    He gave a wry smile and turned away from her, leaning his elbows on his desk.
    ‘Did you have a