Lynda La Plante: Wrongful Death

The automatic doors of the Terminal Five Arrivals area slid slowly open revealing a number of people pushing luggage trolleys, pulling suitcases, mothers with stroppy children. Barolli, holding a small sign with MS J DEWAR written on it in black marker, noticed a lone middle-aged, plain-looking blonde woman pushing a luggage-laden trolley. She matched the brief description Langton had given him of their new team member. Paul raised his sign and waved it at her.

‘I believe it’s me you should be waving at,’ an American voice said.

The Jessie Dewar standing beside him was not what he was expecting. Stunningly attractive, she had soft, shoulder-length shiny-blonde hair and wide hazel-grey eyes. She wore little makeup; she didn’t need to with her flawless, lightly tanned skin. She was wearing a pink Solaro blouse and smart grey tailored suit, while the cut of her clothing and her high heels accentuated her curvaceous figure. She gave off an air of knowing she was a sexually attractive woman but also one who would take no nonsense.

‘I was expecting Jimmy Langton,’ Dewar said, causing Paul to rouse from his transfixed stupor.

‘He’s blind… I mean he got stuck behind… at work with a meeting. I’m Paul Barolli, the Detective Inspector on the murder squad you’ll be working with. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Agent Dewar.’

She gave him a small cool nod and shook his hand firmly.

‘I’m a supervisory special agent, Detective Barolli,’ Dewar replied in a matter-of-fact tone as he took hold of her suitcase.

‘That’s a mouthful. We use rank initials as abbreviations. Like DI for my rank, DCI for Chief Inspector…’

‘I hardly think SS Dewar would be appropriate.’

Although Paul Barolli felt that Agent Dewar was somewhat abrupt, he put it down to her having had a long tiring day. As he drove to Vauxhall he sensed that she was not in the mood for conversation so he pointed out various sights of interest and suggested that when she felt like it he would be only too pleased to give her a proper tour round London. Dewar thanked him for his offer but doubted that her work commitments would allow time for sightseeing. Paul told her that there was a copy of the Reynolds file for her on the back seat and started to give her a run-down on the case, to which Dewar said nothing but leaned over to retrieve the file and began reading. Paul knew she wasn’t listening to a word he said.

It was just after ten p.m. when they reached Nine Elms Lane in Vauxhall. The sat-nav voice informed them that their destination was two hundred yards on the left and Paul could see that meant St George’s Wharf, an award-winning development of luxury flats and penthouses with riverside views of the Thames. He was somewhat surprised that Dewar was being provided with such upmarket accommodation and suspected that it must be one of the flats used by the top brass at Scotland Yard.

As Dewar looked round the apartment, Barolli followed her and explained how to use the kitchen equipment, under-floor heating and air-conditioning.

‘There’s a garage with a Tesco Express down the road. Do you want me to get you some groceries while you unpack?’ he offered, but she said that she’d prefer to do her own shopping the following day. Paul told her that he would pick her up at nine a.m. to take her to Belgravia to meet the team. Dewar thanked him but said she would make her own way into the station, and then turned and walked off into the bedroom, leaving Barolli with little option but to bid her good night. He had just placed his hand on the door latch, about to open it, when there was a loud repeated knock, which made him jump. Opening the door he was surprised to see DCS Langton standing there with a bouquet of roses, bottle of champagne and bulging bag of groceries.

‘And there I was thinking you didn’t care about me any more,’ Paul quipped.

‘It’s past your bedtime, Barolli,’ Langton replied.

Jessie Dewar walked out of the bedroom and suddenly came to life, greeting Langton with a howl of pleasure as she leaped into his arms and gave him a big hug.

‘How come you weren’t at the airport to meet me, Jimmy?’

Paul watched Langton disentangle himself and explain he had been caught up at work.

‘Well, I’ll be off then, shall I?’ Paul asked.

‘Yeah, yeah, you take off,’ Langton said, wafting his hand and following Jessie into the living room.

Paul let himself out, still not knowing exactly what to make of Agent Dewar. It was more than obvious Langton and Jessie knew each other well but he wondered how the rest of the team would take to her, especially DCI Travis, who thanks to Langton’s description would be expecting to meet a plain Jane

Anna was in good spirits the next morning, thrilled about her trip to the FBI Academy at Quantico. She knew that she should be drawing up things about the cold case to go over with Dewar but a list of what to pack and take with her seemed more important. She had decided to wait and tell the rest of the team about her US trip when Agent Dewar arrived at the office and introductions were made. In her excitement it hadn’t crossed her mind to tell Paul Barolli to let her be the bearer of the news to the rest of the team.

Barolli entered the main office with a spring in his step.

‘Morning, ladies, have I got a bit of news for you two,’ he said to Joan and Barbara, who were sitting drinking coffee.

‘You’ve got a girlfriend,’ Barbara said, sarcastically.

‘Ha-ha.’ Barolli looked around the room to make sure no one else was in earshot. He moved closer to the two women.

‘Just between us, Travis is off to the States on the FBI course with Langton, and Special Agent Jessie Dewar is attached to the team as from today.’

‘You serious?’ asked Barbara.

‘Yes. Langton told me last night. I had to pick Dewar up from the airport. Langton got her a Met flat in St George’s Wharf. He even turned up there after ten o’clock with champagne and roses.’

‘How romantic,’ Joan said.

‘Did he stay the night?’ Barbara asked, always wanting to know the gritty details when it came to gossip.

‘Don’t be stupid!’ Barolli said in Langton’s defence.

‘Who’s taking over as SIO while Travis is away?’ Joan asked.

‘Me. Langton said I will be team leader in her absence,’ Paul said proudly.

‘You must be joking. You’ve only been a DI two minutes,’ Barbara exclaimed loudly.

Anna, distracted by Barbara’s booming voice, looked up through her office window and instinctively knew that gossip had to be on the menu.

‘What’s Agent Dewar like?’ Joan asked.

‘Drop-dead gorgeous, thirty-ish, great figure, amazing complexion and sensuous lips,’ Barolli said, wanting to irritate Barbara.

Joan and Barbara suddenly pretended to be busy on their computers, but the Detective Inspector failed to recognize the significance of this.

‘And to whom are you referring, DI Barolli?’ Anna asked, coming up behind him.

Paul cringed, looking as if he wished the ground would open up and swallow him. He turned to face her.

‘Sorry, ma’am, I wasn’t talking about anyone in particular.’

Anna took Paul into her office and reminded him that throw-away sexist remarks could lead to an official complaint and discipline.

‘While I am away you’re the one who will have to lead by example and make the important decisions. It’s all about earning their respect, and believe me that doesn’t come easily.’

‘I’m sorry, ma’am, it won’t happen again.’

‘Right, that’s the bollocking over. So drop-dead gorgeous and sensuous lips aside, what’s this Dewar like?

‘A bit abrupt, but I put it down to her being tired after a long day,’ Paul said, deciding it was best not to mention Langton turning up at the flat.