Danielle Ramsay - Vanishing Point

Brady stood up.

‘And just to be totally clear, Adamson’s investigation is off limits,’ the DCI repeated.

‘Yes, sir,’ replied Brady before heading for the door.

‘And, Jack?’

Brady turned back to face him.

‘Do you know what Simone Henderson was doing in Madley’s nightclub last night? Let alone back in the North East?’

‘No, but I wish I did, sir,’ replied Brady.

Gates deliberated for a moment and then nodded.

He watched Brady as he walked out of his office, hoping that he did as he was instructed and left the Henderson investigation alone. His personal relationship with Simone Henderson made him a liability and Gates wasn’t prepared to have him screw up under his watch.

Chapter Nine

Brady walked out of Gates’ office and straight into Amelia Jenkins.

‘Sorry, I didn’t see you there,’ he apologised.

‘We need to talk,’ suggested Amelia.

‘Look, I wish I could but I’m really busy,’ replied Brady.

He couldn’t believe his luck. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

He could see from her expression that Amelia wasn’t buying it. He dropped his gaze, finding himself staring uncomfortably at the ground.

Dr Amelia Jenkins had a way of getting to him. She had a knack of looking too deeply into his eyes and searching for the truth. That was partly why he had never looked directly at her when they had had their shrink sessions a year ago. And at this precise moment the last person he wanted knowing that he was vulnerable – dangerously so – was Amelia. He had too much to lose. The last thing he wanted was to unravel in front of her; he needed to keep his wits about him. Especially after the emergency call he had heard. He was certain he recognised the voice. That alone was enough to send him over the edge.

‘I understand that. But given the circumstances, I thought you might want to off-load?’ Amelia ventured gently.

It had been six months since he had last talked to her. Then she had been assigned by DCI Gates to work with him on the murder investigation of a local fifteen-year-old girl.

Brady didn’t respond.

‘Jack? Listen, I know what happened between you and DC Henderson. Remember the counselling sessions we had after you had been shot?’

Brady slowly raised his head and looked at her. Of course he remembered the sessions. That was the very reason he didn’t want to talk to her now.

Before he knew it he was looking into her almond-shaped dark brown eyes. They were filled with genuine concern.

Brady’s problem was he didn’t like to talk. Especially about personal matters. Whatever he was feeling about the fact his ex-colleague was lying mutilated in Rake Lane Hospital was personal. Which meant it was off-limits. Way off-limits. He had his own way of dealing with his feelings.

His reply was straight to the point.

‘Amelia, I’m sorry. I just can’t …’ he muttered.

He turned and started to walk down the corridor.

‘Jack? Please?’ she called out, regardless of the two officers walking down the corridor towards her. He gave no sign he had even heard her. Amelia sighed heavily and quickly walked after him, her heels clicking irritably against the wooden floor.

‘Jack?’ she called again as she caught up with him.

Brady continued walking. He had somewhere to go and the last thing he needed was any distractions.

She grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to turn and face her.

He looked at her and waited.

‘Look, I know this must be really hard for you. Alright? I’m here if you need me, that’s all. I … I want to help …’

Brady looked at her. He wasn’t sure exactly what kind of help she was offering. And more worryingly, he didn’t know whether DCI Gates had put her up to this to get the ammunition he needed to get Brady signed off as unfit for work because of personal reasons.

‘Look, I really appreciate your concern, But I’m alright. I’ve just got a lot to deal with right now. I’m sure you heard about the murder victim found washed up on Whitley Bay beach this morning?’

‘Yes, I heard,’ answered Amelia as she searched his face. ‘Actually, I asked DCI Gates if I could be assigned to your case. Given what I know, it sounds like you could do with some help profiling the victim’s murderer.’

Brady looked at her, surprised. Then he swiftly composed himself, unsure of what game was being played.

‘Thanks,’ he replied. ‘But if I’m honest I’d rather you were working with Adamson. They need your kind of expertise to find whoever has done this to Simone. But I appreciate the offer.’

Before Amelia had a chance to answer he walked away.

He hated himself for the reaction his words had elicited. For a brief moment she had looked hurt. Then she had composed herself and nodded coolly with an air of professional detachment. A look that he recognised from his time with her as his shrink.

Brady slammed his office door shut and walked over to his desk. He was angry with himself. Angry that he had shut Amelia out. He’d already done that once before when the investigation they had worked on together had ended. He had promised her a drink with the rest of the team and found himself bailing. Unable to let anyone get close; especially someone like her. So he had left when she had turned up. He knew that she wouldn’t wait around for him to sort his act out. Why would she? Amelia had everything going for her. She was only in her early thirties, with a career that was going somewhere – and fast. Add to that, that she had that fatal combination of intelligence and uniqueness about her.

He sighed heavily as he sat down at his desk. He had to focus. He didn’t have the time or luxury to wonder about what ifs where Amelia was concerned. His life was already too complicated.

He needed to make a call.

‘It’s me,’ Brady said.

‘I’ve been expecting a call.’ The voice was controlled, with an air of menace.

‘We need to talk,’ stated Brady.

‘Usual place?’

‘Yeah, give me a couple of hours or so. There’s a few matters I need to sort out first.’

Brady hung up.

He needed questions answering about what exactly had happened in the Blue Lagoon last night and there was only one person who could tell him.

His phone began to buzz. He looked down at it.

Matthews.

‘Damn!’ he cursed. This was the last thing he needed. ‘What? Haven’t I already said I’m not interested?’ Brady answered, his voice heavy with a guttural Geordie inflection.

‘Jack? Come on, pal. This is ridiculous. What can I say to convince you that I just got caught up? And before I realised it, I was way in over my head. Don’t you think I wish I could change what’s happened? For fuck’s sake, my life is hell in here.’

‘Yeah? My heart bleeds,’ answered Brady.

‘Fuck you! Don’t you think I’ve suffered enough? I’ve lost everything … My wife, my daughter and … and my career.’

‘You lost your career as a copper the day you started taking backhanders, Jimmy.’

‘Come on, Jack. It’s not that simple and you know it,’ replied Matthews.

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Don’t start getting all moral with me. There’s a few things in here I’ve found out about you. Information that I’m sure the DSI would be interested in hearing.’

‘Yeah?’ questioned Brady, trying to sound calm despite feeling as if he’d been punched in the stomach.

‘Don’t mess with me,’ snapped Matthews. ‘You know exactly what and who I’m talking about!’

‘Like what?’ he pushed, not wanting to hear it but knowing he had no choice.

‘It concerns your old man. Let’s say he’s been saying some things that concern you and Madley.’