by Helen Fields
‘And that’s supposed to reassure me how …?’ Ava asked.
‘You’re coming to the cells with me, are you then?’ He ignored her question and responded with his own.
‘I am, so no cutting corners. Write up a detailed statement afterwards, and so we’re clear, you’re to avoid sarcasm, aggression and all forms of fiction,’ Ava said.
‘I think you’re being a bit harsh, to be honest,’ Lively said, getting out his notebook which gave Ava a vague sense of hope that the proper processes might be complied with.
‘Do you? I think I’m a goddamned angel,’ Ava said. ‘Come on then. Down to the cells.’
A few floors below, and a few locked doors into the heart of the building, Mikey Parsons’ face was grim. Even Lively had the decency to let out a whistle of sick appreciation at the extent of the damage.
‘How’re you doing there, Mikey?’ he asked.
‘Hurts,’ Parsons muttered.
‘Aye, that was always going to happen when you could actually feel your face again. This here is Detective Chief Inspector Turner. She’s come to ask you about what happened,’ Lively said.
‘Am I under arrest? Did I do something?’ Parsons muttered, his speech slurred either from years of addiction or the wound across his cheek; it was hard to tell.
Ava unlocked his door and walked into the cell, leaning against the wall opposite the bed Parsons was laid out on. He didn’t attempt to sit up.
‘You’re not under arrest, Mr Parsons. You’re here for your own protection because you refused medical assistance and you were deemed too vulnerable to remain outside. Is there anything at all you can tell us about how you got that injury?’
Parsons raised a shaking hand to his face, investigating the extent of his injury. His fingertips came away bloody as he attempted to plaster the loose flaps of skin back down onto the structure of his cheeks.
‘Don’t remember anything,’ Parsons said, turning his head away from her to stare at the wall.
‘Perhaps the sergeant would get you a cup of tea,’ Ava said. ‘He’s good at making hot drinks for people.’
‘Oh, for crying out loud,’ Lively said, scuffing his feet as he walked away. ‘Give an inch and they take a bloody mile.’
Ava ignored him. ‘Mr Parsons, whatever happened, you’re in no trouble. I understand that drugs were involved, but I’m not interested in prosecuting individual users. Life is tough and you’ve got your reasons. What I want is to find the person who assaulted you. You could have died. Just because you’re homeless doesn’t mean you’re worth less than anyone else. It’s not okay to pretend this doesn’t matter.’
‘I’ll heal,’ Parsons said.
‘If you don’t get medical help, those scars will be more painful than they need to be and liable to infection. Would you mind if I took a closer look at the injury?’ She crossed the cell to stand nearer to him.
Slowly, he rolled his head to the left for Ava to get a better understanding of the extent of the injuries. The slashes were clean, and there was no mistaking the fact that they had been designed to form a Z. This had been no chance encounter. The perpetrator had gone looking for a semi-conscious Spice user to mark. Edinburgh’s so-called zombies were becoming a feature of city life, and apparently attracting the wrong kind of attention.
‘It needs stitching. Not even glue will help with that and it’s beyond our first-aid capabilities. Where did you buy the Spice, Mikey?’ she asked.
‘Traded it for half a bottle of vodka,’ Mikey said. ‘Don’t remember who with.’
‘Did you feel any pain when you were attacked?’
‘Was asleep. Or unconscious. I had a dream there was something biting me. It wouldn’t let go. I thought it was all just part of the trip. I woke up here. Do I get food?’ he asked.
‘I’ll see what the custody sergeant can rustle up,’ Ava said. ‘I need you to give a statement, though. Someone else will write it out for you and you’ll just have to sign it. Also, I’d like to take photos of your injury. Do you consent to that?’
‘Am I under arrest?’ Mikey asked again.
‘No. As I said, you’re not in any trouble.’ Ava sighed. His brain was obviously still too addled to retain information. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she snapped a few photos. He didn’t seem to notice. Lively walked in with a polystyrene cup of lukewarm milky water.
‘Sit up and get this down you, Mikey. It’ll make you feel better,’ he said. ‘Does he remember anything at all?’ he asked Ava.
‘Not a thing. He dreamed some unspecified animal was biting him. Probably a similar dream to the one I’ll be having about Overbeck tonight, thanks to you. Get a statement from him, just so there’s something on record, then spend as long as it takes persuading him that he needs medical treatment. He doesn’t walk out of here and back onto the streets without having that stitched up. I don’t care how long it takes you, understand?’
‘Can one of the uniforms not do that, ma’am? It sounds like rather a waste of MIT time.’
‘Your mess, you clean it up,’ she said. ‘Do you have any idea if DI Callanach is back in the building?’
‘Tripp just walked back in. I think the DI is in reception dealing with someone. Apparently he’s looking for you, too. You and DI Callanach should probably stop asking after each other, truth be told. People will talk.’
‘If I didn’t need you to sort out this man’s face, I’d fire you immediately,’ Ava said, walking out.
‘Promises, promises,’ he muttered.
Callanach was exactly where Lively had said he would be, which was a surprise in itself. He had his back to Ava and was talking intensely to someone just out of sight. Whatever enquiry he was dealing with would have to wait, Ava decided.
‘DI Callanach,’ she said. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but can I have a moment?’
He turned to face her, frowning. When she saw the woman behind him, she understood why. Ava had known Callanach was involved with someone, even if he’d been careful to keep his work and private life separate.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Callanach said. ‘Sorry,’ he told the woman next to him. ‘I’ll call you later, okay?’
‘No, finish your conversation, it’s fine,’ Ava said. ‘I’ll see you in my office when you’re ready.’
The woman stepped forward, extending a hand. ‘DCI Turner,’ she said, her voice husky, with a Spanish accent. ‘I’m Selina Vega. We met briefly at Luc’s once before.’
Ava remembered. She tried not to look Selina up and down, but there was too much not to see. With long dark hair that gleamed auburn at its ends, melting brown eyes, and legs whose shape were not the least bit hidden by her tailored skirt, Ava figured Selina must be at least five foot nine. She suddenly felt short, underdressed and in need of a hair appointment.
‘Selina’s a registrar at the hospital,’ Callanach explained as the two of them shook hands. ‘We met when MIT was investigating a death a few months ago.’
‘Of course, good to see you again,’ Ava told her. ‘I didn’t mean to interrupt. This can wait a few minutes.’ She withdrew her hand and stepped back.
‘It’s no problem,’ Selina said. ‘Luc has talked about you so much that I feel as if I know you already.’
‘Oh,’ Ava said. ‘Well, that must have been very boring for you, so I apologise.’
‘Hardly. It’s obvious how much he admires you. I’ve been suggesting for months that we should all go out,’ Selina said.
‘Months? Wow, I didn’t realise …’ Ava’s voice trailed away into nothing. ‘Anyway, I’ve left DS Lively trying to change the mind of a man who’s refusing medical assistance in spite of the fact that his face is hanging off, so I ought to get back and check on that.’
‘I’ll find you in a couple of minutes,’ Luc said.
‘No rush, honestly.’ Ava smiled broadly at Selina. ‘So glad we bumped into one another.’
‘Can I help?’ Selina asked. ‘My specialisation is emergency medicine. Perhaps I coul
d take a look at the injury and make an assessment. If he knows I’m a doctor rather than a police officer, he might be more inclined to take advice.’
‘No,’ Ava and Luc said simultaneously.
‘That’s not fair on you,’ Ava said. ‘You’re off duty and I wouldn’t want to impose. I’ve got it in hand.’
‘It’s no problem. I was going to wait until Luc had finished his shift anyway. I have a surprise for him,’ she said, winking.
‘You really don’t want to spend the next hour in the cells,’ Luc said. ‘If it’s necessary we’ll call an ambulance.’
‘Luc, you know I don’t have an off switch. If there’s a person in the cells who needs help, then it’s my duty to step in.’ She looked at Ava. ‘Luc says he has another hour before he can get away. I’d rather fill my time usefully than sit here and do nothing. Besides, I’d like to get a look around backstage. Hopefully it’ll be the only time I end up in a police cell.’
She laughed, and Ava noted how beautifully white her teeth were against the tan of her skin, which had somehow not lost any of its native Spanish glow in spite of the cooler Scottish climes. Selina was rolling up her sleeves before Ava could think up an excuse to dissuade her. Not that she wanted to dissuade her, she told herself. It was helpful. She had no idea why she felt suddenly territorial. What better compromise than for Mikey Parsons to have access to a doctor without going through the rigmarole of persuading him to get in an ambulance?
‘Great, that’s kind of you,’ Ava said. ‘I’ll have the custody sergeant sign you in. Detective Sergeant Lively will stay with you to make sure you’re safe, although the patient is very passive. He’s a drug addict though, so help yourself to gloves. We keep a stock behind the desk.’
‘Thanks,’ Selina said. ‘See you in an hour.’ She leaned across to kiss Luc on the lips as she walked past him. Ava looked away until the doctor had disappeared into the space beyond the doors.
‘She’s really lovely,’ Ava declared brightly to Luc.
‘It’s casual,’ Luc said. ‘But I guess it’s easier seeing someone who understands shift work and why you’re effectively on call all the time.’
‘And you two have the European thing. That must be good for you. Not having to understand the Scottish accent, for a start. So how long have you been seeing each other now?’
‘Weeks, in reality,’ Luc said. ‘Not that often either, given our work schedules. What was it you wanted to see me about?’
‘Just a catch-up on Zoey Cole. We should talk in my office for confidentiality,’ Ava said, waving her security pass in front of the electronic lock and pushing the door open.
‘Sure,’ Luc said.
‘You want a coffee or anything?’ she asked as they left the stairs and walked down the corridor.
‘Um, no, I’m okay,’ he said. ‘Listen, I didn’t ask Selina to come to the station. She was trying to surprise me. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Ava said. ‘I encourage my squad to invest time in their private lives. Happier homes make for happier officers, as far as I’m concerned.’ She looked at him and cringed. ‘God, I’m sorry, I don’t know where that corporate sound bite came from. Listen, Luc, I’m glad you’re involved with someone. I know how hard it’s been for you, and Selina seems great. We absolutely should go out sometime. I could, I don’t know, bring Natasha maybe.’
As they stepped into her office, Ava tried not to roll her eyes at her own suggestion. Going out for a foursome with Luc and the best-looking female he could have identified north of the border with her lesbian best friend as her plus-one wasn’t exactly an ego boost. Somehow everyone on her squad seemed to have someone to go home to, or go out with, except her.
‘I’m not sure Selina and Natasha would …’ Luc said.
‘You’re just worried that Natasha would seduce her,’ Ava said. ‘You know how she is about women with legs that long. I’m not sure even a man as good looking as you would be able to compete with Natasha in full flirtation mode.’
‘Are you okay?’ Luc asked.
‘Yes, of course, fine. Why?’ Ava asked.
‘You just paid me a compliment, that’s all. Not that I’m complaining, but it’s kind of unusual,’ Luc said.
Ava adjusted some papers on her desk before answering. ‘I think I’d call it a technical observation rather than a compliment,’ she smiled. ‘And don’t expect another one. That’s what your girlfriend’s for, after all.’
‘I’m not sure I’d call her my girlfriend,’ Luc said. ‘How is Natasha, by the way? I haven’t seen her for ages.’
Professor Natasha Forge – Ava’s best friend – disappeared and reappeared depending on the intensity of whatever fling she was in the middle of. Ava was used to it, but it still meant she suddenly got dropped without warning when a new woman appeared on the scene.
‘Single,’ Ava said. ‘So I’m seeing more of her than usual. Right, any progress on Zoey Cole?’
‘The stepfather has a watertight alibi and no previous convictions,’ Callanach said. ‘He was with about a hundred other people during the period when Zoey was abducted, and they’re all sending us photos to prove it. The boyfriend of Sandra Tilly, who runs the shelter where Zoey was living, turns out to have previous for blackmail and threatening behaviour, though. I’ve asked for the files. His name is Tyrone Leigh.’
‘Get an officer in the incident room to check it out for you,’ Ava said, ‘then go and rescue Selina from the cells. She seemed keen to take you away to whatever surprise it is she’s organised.’
‘I’ll stay if you need me,’ Luc said. ‘Selina can wait.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Ava said. ‘We’ll have a briefing tomorrow morning to make sure the squad is up to speed. Have a good evening.’
‘I will,’ Luc said. ‘Thanks, Ava.’ He shut her office door as he left.
Ava sat down to write up her notes of the day, trying to banish the sensation that there were other things she was missing out on.
Chapter Eight
The news that another young woman had gone missing just three days after Zoey’s body had been found was treated with quiet sadness in the incident room. Everyone on the squad had been prepared for the possibility, but that didn’t make the announcement any easier to hear. Ava decided to handle the initial enquiry herself with Callanach. There was no point mobilising the full unit until they were certain what they were dealing with, but her guts were churning. There were coincidences and there were patterns, and the new missing person report felt much more like the latter.
Leith’s mother and baby unit was housed in a grey building that had unmistakably been erected in the 1970s, featuring pebble-dashed walls to protect it from the sea to its north and the ensuing gales. Callanach met Ava in the car park, where she stood clutching the pre-noon necessity of two takeout coffees. She handed one over and began to walk towards the front door.
‘Is this a hospital?’ Callanach asked. ‘I haven’t been here before.’
‘No, it’s somewhere new mothers can look after their babies with supervision if the court has concerns about the care they might provide. Better this than having the baby taken from them and adopted, but it’s a last resort. The state provides medical care, rooms, food, guidance and prepares the mother for independent life,’ Ava said. ‘The baby’s being seen by a doctor now.’
They entered the building through pale blue corridors that smelled of bleach and nappies, and were directed to a small room where a doctor was just buttoning up a Babygro.
‘This little girl’s fine,’ the doctor said, stroking the baby’s cheek. ‘No marks on her, no signs of distress, her temperature is normal. I’d say the baby hasn’t been touched. She is getting grouchy though, so I’ll hand her over to a nurse for a feed.’
‘Thank you,’ Ava said. ‘Still no word on the location of the baby’s mother?’
‘Not that I’ve heard,’ the doctor replied, ‘but you should speak to the unit
director. He might have had an update.’ The doctor left them and took the baby with her.
‘How old is the missing mother?’ Callanach asked.
‘Nineteen,’ Ava said. ‘The pram was discovered a few roads away from here, left in an alleyway near a newsagent. No one saw who left it there. It was in a reasonably sheltered position out of the wind but a passer-by became concerned when she heard the baby crying.’
There was a knock at the door and a man walked in carrying a file and pushing an empty pram. ‘I’m Arnold Jenkins,’ he said. ‘I manage the unit. Thank you for coming. This is the pram baby Tansy was found in. It belongs to the unit and it has an identification tag underneath, so we can be sure it’s ours. I gather a search for Lorna Shaw is already underway?’
‘Uniformed officers are checking CCTV footage and walking the streets in the area. Do you know what time Lorna left here?’ Ava asked.
‘Three hours ago. She was taking Tansy out for some fresh air, apparently, and wanted to top up her phone credit at the shop. Lorna had permission to take the baby with her. She’d agreed to be no more than sixty minutes. We were already concerned before the police notified us that the baby had been found,’ Jenkins said.
‘You don’t think this is simply a case of a young woman under too much pressure who just ran away?’ Callanach asked.
‘Every report on her makes it clear that she was doing well. The baby is reaching all her milestones. We were helping Lorna apply for independent housing with a view to her moving out in a couple of months. All her supervisors say she’s a doting mother. If it had been one of the other women here, then perhaps, but if Lorna was going to disappear she’d have taken her baby with her,’ Jenkins replied. ‘We’re really very concerned. Lorna wouldn’t have left her daughter out on a street. If she really had to run away, if there was something going on that we didn’t know about, it would have made more sense to go to the shops alone and leave the baby safe here,’ the director explained.
‘Any violent former partners you’re aware of?’ Callanach asked.
‘None specifically that Lorna ever talked about, although she had a hard life and kept less than desirable company. She had previously abused drugs, although she’s clean now, and during her pregnancy she failed to keep medical appointments, which is why she ended up here,’ Jenkins said.