Tony Hill u Carol Jordan 08 - Cross and Burn

in custody.

44

    P aula was glad it was dark as she drove out across the Yorkshire moors. It hid the interminable bleakness that always filled her heart with gloom. Other people saw splendour in the scenery, she knew that. But thanks to years of exposure to the worst of human behaviour, she saw it as a place where terrible things could go unwitnessed. A potential body dump. The landfill of loss.
    Franklin had been reluctant to confirm what she’d guessed. ‘Why would I know where your old DCI is hiding?’ he’d said on the phone, sounding more amused than truculent. ‘It’s not like we were pals.’
    ‘I had you down as somebody who knows when a mouse farts on his patch,’ Paula said. ‘So if you don’t know where she is, I’d have to conclude she’s not in West Yorkshire. And focus my attentions elsewhere.’
    As she’d expected, the challenge to his capability did the trick. ‘I never said I didn’t know,’ he replied.
    ‘Any reason why you wouldn’t tell me?’
    ‘Is this a police inquiry, Sergeant? Or a personal one?’
    ‘Does it make a difference, sir?’
    ‘We’re all entitled to our privacy and our family life, according to the human rights lawyers. If Jordan doesn’t want to play nice with you lot any more, that’s her choice. And it wouldn’t be my place to deprive her of those rights.’
    ‘And if it was an official inquiry?’
    ‘I’d expect it to come through official channels.’
    ‘I’m a detective sergeant, sir. How official do you need it to be?’ There was a long pause. She could hear the rasp of him scratching stubble.
    ‘Ah, fuck it,’ he said. ‘Why are we playing stupid games with each other? She’s living at the barn. Her brother’s barn. She’s stripping it to the bare bones. There’s nothing left to show what happened.’
    ‘Thank you. I owe you a pint, sir.’
    ‘You do. But I’ll pass. I don’t like you Bradfield bastards. That goes for Jordan just as much as the rest of you. So there’s enough pleasure for me in grassing her up. Drive safe, Sergeant, we’re not keen on dangerous drivers over here.’
    He was gone before she could say more. And now it was after nine o’clock and the only thing between her and despair was the satnav. Every road looked the same, bordered by the wild grasses of the moorland or drystone walls that looked drunk but always seemed to stay upright. Occasional lights glimmered in the dark and now and again she’d pass a huddle of buildings claiming to be a village. Finally, a large building loomed on her right and her bossy navigator said, ‘You have reached your destination.’ Paula pulled into the parking area and turned off the engine. She felt sick.
    Still, she forced herself out of the car and set off across the flags towards the barn. Security lights flooded the area, making her blink against her blindness. The stillness of the night was split open by a volley of barking that was barely diminished by the thick stone walls of the barn. A dog? Carol Jordan, the ultimate cat woman, had a dog? Had Franklin told her the truth? For a moment, Paula considered turning tail. But she’d come all this way. She might as well knock on the door.
    As she raised her hand to the black iron knocker, the door opened far enough to reveal a familiar face. Carol Jordan did not look pleased to see her, and the dog whose muzzle was pushing against her knee didn’t seem any more welcoming. A low grumble in the back of its throat would keep most sensible people at bay.
    Paula tried a smile. ‘Any chance of a cup of coffee? There isn’t a Costa for miles.’
    ‘Is that your best door-opener? Don’t, for Christ’s sake, abandon the job for a career in sales.’ The door didn’t budge. ‘Give me one good reason why I should open the door?’
    Paula reminded herself that Carol wasn’t her boss any more. ‘Because it’s a bloody long drive and it’s bloody cold out here. That’s the smart-arsed answer. If you want the sincere one – you should open the bloody door out of friendship.’
    Carol’s eyebrows rose. ‘You think we’re friends?’
    ‘You think we’re not? We had each other’s backs for years. I always thought we liked each other. Respected each other. I never even considered a future you weren’t part of.’ Paula flushed, wondering whether she’d gone too far. Carol’s reserve in personal matters was as much part of her as her devotion to taking criminals off the streets.
    Carol lowered her eyes. ‘I’m