Double Dealing (Detective Sergeant Catherine Bishop Series Book Two) by Lisa Hartley Page A

exasperation Kendrick said, ‘I have good officers here, officers who want to do their jobs.’
      ‘Your officers’ abilities aren’t being questioned. It’s time for a change, that’s all, especially after what happened here during the Pollard case. You know how that would have reflected on the force had it become public knowledge. If there are any links between any of the cases, they’ll be investigated too. I’m assured that DI Shea is a capable officer.’
      ‘Good for him,’ Kendrick muttered.
    Stringer ignored the comment, allowing herself a tiny smile. ‘I’m sure he’ll fit in well here.’
     
     
      He stood by his living room window, gazing down onto the street below. There had been a police car parked outside earlier, not that it was unusual to see one around here. His partner, if that was the right word for him, wouldn’t come to the flat, he’d wait in the car. He had all sorts of tricks designed to avoid being noticed or followed. It was no doubt paranoia, but then if they were caught it would be the two of them serving the time in prison, not the man who gave them their orders. The boss would never be caught, they knew that much. It would be the likes of himself and other young lads, turning to this sort of life because they had little other choice who did the time. He sighed, knowing it wasn’t true. There was always a choice, wasn’t there? No one had forced him to miss his exams, to drop out of college, to smoke dope, to start dealing. No one had forced him to become a servant to a career criminal. His childhood hadn’t been great, but then whose really was? There were still options, different paths. People from the most privileged backgrounds often had miserable lives while people from scruffy estates like the Meadowflower excelled. In the end, everyone made their own choices. He turned away from the window. He had made his.
      It wasn’t the car they usually used. This one was newer, sleeker, faster. Still anonymous, of course. He opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, hoping his reluctance wasn’t visible in his face.
      ‘Evening,’ he said, yanking the seatbelt over his chest. ‘New car?’
    The older man turned to face him and he froze for a second, hating the dead snake eyes that seemed to see right into his thoughts. He swallowed. They pulled away from the pavement and the silence stretched until he could bear it no longer.
      ‘Why have we got a different vehicle?’ he asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
      ‘There’s a problem,’ came the terse reply.
     

15
     
     
     
     
    ‘What are you drinking?’ Thomas asked.
      ‘Just an orange juice, please,’ Catherine replied, running a hand through her hair, glad she’d had time to rush home for a quick shower and change of clothes. Both she and her brother were casual in jeans and t-shirts under their winter coats.
      ‘Evening all.’ Chris Rogers strolled up to the bar and joined them. ‘Faye and her mate have gone to the loo.’
    Catherine raised an eyebrow at him, instantly alert. ‘Her mate?’
      ‘Yeah, a woman she works with. I might have mentioned her before.’ With a swift movement, Rogers turned away from Catherine and smiled at the barman. ‘Pint and two halves of lager, please.’
    Thomas handed Catherine her drink and she took a sip, annoyed and dismayed.
      ‘Chris, please tell me you’re joking?’
    He held up his hands in mock surrender. ‘It was Faye’s idea.’
    Catherine groaned.
      ‘Shush, they’re coming in. Be nice, Sarge . . .’
      ‘Cheek, I’m always nice.’ Catherine forced a smile. ‘Hello, Faye.’
    Faye took her drink from her husband and beamed.
      ‘Lovely to see you again, Catherine. I’d like you to meet my friend, Ellie.’
    Ellie gave a shy nod. Her dark blonde hair was quite long with a heavy fringe which emphasised her eyes. Catherine smiled back, ignoring the tiny pang in her chest. This was not what she needed.
      ‘This