Backlash by Lynda La Plante Page A

same one she had seen in Langton’s flat. Although Anna had still not read up on all the statements and enquiry results for Rebekka Jordan, she felt, having read Langton’s investigation report, that she knew enough to begin her enquiry. She arrived at the station just after nine and went straight to the incident room on the second floor. Joan Falkland was carrying a coffee and buttered teacake to her desk as Anna took off her coat.
    ‘Hello, Joan. Where can I park myself?’ she asked as she put her briefcase and the large box containing the Jordan files on the floor.
    Joan looked at her with surprise, and at the same time gestured over to an empty desk. ‘We’re short of space in here but DCI Lewis is trying to get us moved to a bigger office.’
    ‘Is Mike in?’
    ‘He’s gone to Wandsworth Prison with Paul Barolli so he may be some time yet. I can let him know you called in.’
    ‘That’s okay, I’m not in a rush.’
    Joan began to mark up notes on the incident board, assuming Anna had popped in to speak with Mike Lewis.
    ‘You going to introduce me?’ Anna asked.
    ‘Oh sorry, ma’am, yes of course. Everyone, this is DCI Anna Travis.’
    Joan introduced her to two clerical staff and three DCs attached to the case, adding that DC Barbara Maddox was having breakfast. Anna had worked with Joan, Barbara and Paul on four previous cases. With Mike heading up the investigation she wondered how the team would react to her taking over the Rebekka Jordan investigation.
    ‘What’s the canteen like?’
    ‘Good. You want a coffee?’
    ‘If you’re having one, yes thank you.’
    ‘Want anything with it, teacake, toast?’
    ‘Nope, just coffee.’
    In the canteen Barbara was gossiping with a colleague as Joan joined them.
    ‘You are not going to believe it. DCI Travis is upstairs in the incident room.’
    ‘What’s she want?’ Barbara said as she squirted tomato ketchup over her poached eggs and tomato.
    ‘Come to see Mike Lewis, didn’t say why.’
    ‘Langton was on the phone earlier, kept going on and on about his knee surgery. He left a message for Mike to contact him, but didn’t mention Travis. She’s in charge of that specialist unit so it must have come from him, you know how friendly those two were.’
    Joan nodded in agreement. ‘She looks well. It was terrible what happened to her. I often think about it, you know. One minute you’re congratulating her on getting engaged and then the next minute he’s been murdered.’
    ‘She’s worked a couple of cases since then,’ Barbara pointed out.
    ‘I know, I know, I was just saying how it affected me, and she was straight back to work. I wouldn’t have been able to cope at all. Langton had to tell her, you know, he got the call at the station. I will never forget that day. You okay for coffee? I’m taking one up to her.’
    Barbara gave a sarcastic cooing sound and then leaned close to whisper, ‘Bringing her in over Mike’s head is going to cause problems, believe me – he’s anxious enough as it is.’
    ‘It’s rare but I have worked with two DCIs on the same case before. And let’s face it, we’ve no further details about the other two cases we’ve now got to work on.’
    ‘Well I’m just saying her presence isn’t going to help matters.’
    ‘I’ll get her coffee then we’d better get back up there. You know what she’s like, God forbid we start off on the wrong foot with her.’
    ‘I haven’t finished my breakfast,’ Barbara said.
    ‘I’m sure that’s all you’re worried about, Barbara, youjust want to stir it up. I’ve always got along with her and I know why you haven’t.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘You were always jealous of her relationship with Langton. How often have you run to the canteen for his chicken toastie, picking out the tomatoes because he hates them?’
    Barbara refused to rise to the bait, sliding her unfinished plate to one side and walking off with a foul expression on her face. Sometimes Joan really