Prime Suspect (Prime Suspect (Harper)) by Lynda La Plante

eighteen months. He had studiously avoided any contact with her, just in case he was roped in to work with her.
    “I wouldn’t say that, ma’am. The team’s pretty tough, John Shefford drives us hard.”
    She turned, without agreeing, and he watched her push through the swing doors in her neat jacket and skirt. As the doors slammed behind her, he gave her the finger.
    Kernan toyed uneasily with a felt-tipped pen as he listened to Tennison’s complaint. He had never liked her, had been against her joining AMIT from the word go, but she had been more or less forced on him. She had more experience than at least one of the other DCIs, who was already on his second case. He cleared his throat and replaced the cap carefully on the pen.
    “You want a transfer, is that what this is about?”
    “No, I want to be given a chance. I was available for the Mornay case, but DCI Shefford was called in from leave to take it over. I want to know why I have had not so much as a sniff of anything since I’ve been here.”
    Kernan opened his desk diary and noted that he had a lunch appointment before replying, “It was my decision. Shefford knows the area and he once arrested the victim on a prostitution charge. She was also one of his informers . . .”
    “I knew the victim too, sir. I’ve been checking my old records and I brought her in for questioning two years ago . . .”
    “I’m sorry, I was unaware of that . . .”
    “Are you saying I would have got the investigation if you had been aware of it, sir?”
    “Look, I’ll be honest. Shefford’s one of my best men . . .”
    “I know that, sir, but he’s just finished that big case and he had been given two days’ leave. It was a long and difficult case, he needed to rest. I could easily have attended the court session today and handled the investigation, but I was overlooked. All I want to know is, why, and is this going to continue?”
    Kernan looked at his watch. “As you said, you had to be in court. According to the roster you were not available, but when you are you will have your chance, along with the other four officers . . .”
    “DCI McLear is on a murder case right now, sir. He has nowhere near my experience, he came here six months after me. I notice his desk isn’t loaded with petty fraud and tax evasion cases. I have had nothing else since I arrived.”
    “Look, Jane, if you want a transfer then put in for it through the right channels.”
    She was spitting mad, but managed to control herself. “I don’t want a transfer, I want to do the work I have been trained for, and I want you to give me your word that I will not be overlooked again.”
    Kernan gave her the same speech he had spouted at her the last time she had complained, and she sighed. She had the distinct feeling that he couldn’t wait to get her out of the office. She looked down at her shoes and seethed as he continued, “It takes time, Jane. If you are not prepared to wait, then perhaps you should consider asking to be transferred. As I have said to you before, we all appreciate your record, and your obvious abilities . . .”
    “But you are not prepared to let me put them into practice, right?”
    “Wrong. Just bide your time, don’t rush things.”
    “Rush, sir? I’ve been here eighteen months.”
    “I’ve said all I intend saying at this point. I am sorry you feel the way you do, but until a case comes up that I feel is right for you, then . . .”
    “Then I carry on as before, is that what you were going to say, Mike? Oh, come on, don’t fob me off again. You gave me the same speech last time. You know I’ve been treated unfairly; all I’m asking for is a chance to show you, show everyone here, what I’m capable of.”
    “You’ll get it, I give you my word.” Kernan looked pointedly at his watch. “Now, I’m sorry, but I have to get on. Just be patient, I’m sorry I can’t be more positive, and your turn will come.”
    She walked to the door,