Noelle Holten - Dead Wrong

She missed working with the domestic abuse team, even if it had been draining. Walking through town, Maggie headed in the direction of Costa. She ordered a cappuccino with an extra shot, grabbed a table outside and enjoyed the feel of the sun on her face. She pulled out her mobile and began scrolling through the news on the internet. When she saw the headline ‘Raven’s Appeal Makes a Mockery of the Police’ and read the section outlining her incompetency, she wished she had not bothered. All the papers seemed to follow along the same theme. Maggie bet that Raven was feeding them information, as none of what she read had been discussed in the press conference.

Looking around, she saw two figures she instantly recognized. Maggie waved as they approached the table.

‘Hello! It’s so great to see you both.’ Maggie stood and hugged Mark and Lucy before sitting back down.

‘Are you okay for a coffee, Maggie?’ Mark pointed to her half-drunk cup on the table.

‘I’m good for now, thanks.’

‘What are you having, Lucy? I’ll get these in and you two can have a catch-up.’ Mark smiled and affection glowed in Lucy’s eyes.

‘Cappuccino, please.’ Lucy pulled up a chair, so she could face Maggie.

As Mark walked away, Maggie grinned. ‘So, is there something I should know?’

Lucy waved her hand. ‘Don’t be silly. Mark and I are just friends.’

‘You do remember I am a detective, right? I won’t interrogate you, this time …’

‘I like Mark. I’m not going to lie, but I’m just not ready at the moment. Not after … well, you know.’

Maggie placed a hand gently over Lucy’s. ‘I was just teasing. For what it’s worth, I think you and Mark would make a great couple. Just promise you’ll let me know when it does happen.’ Maggie winked and saw the corners of Lucy’s mouth turn up in a smile.

‘Right then, here’s your cappuccino.’ Mark took a seat beside them. ‘So, what’s been happening since we last saw you, Maggie? The Chopper’s appeal sounds like a nightmare.’ Mark placed his coffee on the table.

Maggie didn’t want word getting back to DI Rutherford that she was still following up on things outside of the current investigation. ‘It looks like Lorraine might have been held captive for nearly two years. The other women could still be alive, too.’ Maggie took a sip of her cappuccino. ‘Raven has a clever solicitor trying to make a name for himself, and he managed to convince the CCRC that Raven was not of sound mind when he confessed. We have about six weeks until his next appeal hearing. With the latest murder, the conviction may well be overturned. There’s obviously more to the story, but that’s the basics.’

‘Holy shit. The other women, the ones he also claimed to have murdered, might still be captive somewhere? So, Raven does have grounds for his appeal? But you’re not convinced, are you?’

‘The CCRC are going through everything with a fine-tooth comb. I’d rather not talk about it. What’s been happening at the unit. How’s everyone?’

‘Well Kat is looking to become a detective. She signed up to the accelerated programme and seems to be enjoying it. She’ll need to watch that mouth of hers though. Her brutal honesty will be her downfall if she’s not careful.’ Both Maggie and Lucy nodded agreement.

‘What about DS Hooper? He must be close to retirement now.’ Maggie recalled how keen the DS had been to leave the police after his years of service.

‘As he reminds us every bloody day with his countdown calendar. He’s saving up his annual leave and I think he only has a month or two left. Lucky bastard.’

‘I thought you liked working for the police?’ She looked him in the eyes, knowing she would see the truth no matter what came out of his mouth.

‘I do. But sometimes I just want a change. And with Hooper leaving, God knows who’ll replace him. Lucy did the right thing when she left her full-time position with Probation. At least with the agency work, she gets to pick and choose her hours.’

The quick glance over at Lucy was not lost on Maggie.

Mark continued, ‘I’ll carry on in the unit but keep my options open.’

‘Definitely the right thing to do. How’s Dr Moloney?’ Maggie hoped no one would notice the heat rising in her cheeks.

‘Busy but OK, I guess. A little stressed, what with all the profiles she is putting together on our nominals. Have you not seen her?’ Mark caught her eye.

‘Uh … no. Why?’ Maggie swallowed.

‘Just thought you might have, what with all that Raven stuff going on.’ Another look passed between Lucy and Mark.

‘You pair want to tell me what is going on? I can see the looks, you’re sitting right in front of me.’ Maggie sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

‘It’s nothing. We know that you and Kate worked well together when you were in the unit. We just thought you’d have kept in touch.’ Lucy smiled, like butter wouldn’t melt.

Maggie took a sip of her coffee. ‘I’ve been meaning to have a proper catch-up, but if you say she’s stressed, then maybe I should leave it.’

‘I should be seeing her later. How about I tell her you’d like to catch-up? She has your number, right? She can call you then when she is a little less under pressure.’

‘Sounds good.’ Looking at her watch, Maggie knew if she didn’t get the next train back to Stafford, she would miss the opportunity to talk to her contact in the CPS. ‘Right. It’s been lovely, but I need to get back.’ After hugging them, Maggie picked up her bag and headed to the train station.

I have a few questions and there’s no way I am going to let the prosecution service wriggle out of answering them …

Arriving in Stafford, Maggie stopped at the Starbucks in the station and grabbed an Americano. She hadn’t been sleeping well and needed more caffeine in her system to face the long shift she had ahead of her today.

The courts were busy when she arrived. Maggie made her way to the CPS offices and was greeted by one of those receptionists whose smile never reaches her eyes.

‘Can I help you?’ Maggie cringed at the sound of the receptionist’s whiny voice. She barely glanced at Maggie before returning to her computer.

‘Please could I speak to the prosecutor in Bill Raven’s case?’

There was a long pause as the receptionist continued typing on her keyboard. Eventually she paused and looked up. ‘Do you have an appointment?’

Maggie had to take a deep breath. ‘No. I’m with the police – DC Maggie Jamieson.’ She reached into her pocket and took out her card, thunked it hard on the counter.

As if it was contaminated, the woman moved the card closer with two fingers. ‘I’m afraid you still need an appointment. We’re very busy.’

Maggie looked around at the empty hallway. She gripped the desk and her knuckles began to whiten. ‘I don’t need long. Can you just call up and see if he has a few minutes … please?’ Maggie returned the fake smile she got earlier.

‘Well … I’ll try. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.’ The woman punched three numbers onto her telephone keypad and looked at her nails while she waited. ‘Good morning, sir, I have a DC Maggie Jamieson here and she said she’d like a quick word. Do you have time?’ Again, she looked at her nails, and Maggie wished she could hear the other side of the conversation. ‘Hmm … uh huh … OK. Yes, I’ll tell her.’

Maggie straightened her blouse, waiting for the woman to buzz her through.

‘I’m sorry. He’s very busy. He can’t see you today but suggested that you make an appointment and he’ll talk to you then.’ She looked down at an open diary. ‘I have a free slot next Thursday then another—’