Hiding Within The Betrayal

Chapter Thirteen - Thirty year old with a curfew

"So you're telling me the head of the case is some kid?" Tess asked uncertain.

I left the Lawson's and ended up back at my house, texting Tess very briefly about what happened. I told her it would be easier to explain in person as it was far too much to type. Yet again I couldn't be bothered to cook an actual meal for myself so I ended up at the bar on the edge of town that I was in far too often. Washing down a bowl of chips with whiskey. Insisting that she come meet me, I had already thrown back two drinks by the time she arrived.

"He couldn't be any more than twenty five." I responded to her, more accurate than my first explanation of Detective Callaghan, "Face of an eighteen year old. Clearly got underlying problems with acne. Knows more than than the lieutenant though. He's as bad as I remember"

We were made ourselves comfortable in the corner of the room. Padded seating that wasn't even comfortable but it was better than the wooden chairs that occupied most of the room. Though it wasn't flooded with people, the pub was kept busy by the drabs of civilization that came in from the train station down the road.

She sipped her soft drink, "So how come this young fellow  got put in such a high position?"

Unsure, "He was the one that reopened the case when they found evidence on the car. I don't know why they were still looking though, if they handed the case over then they shouldn't have been able to find new evidence."

"You can't be certain about how he came across the information besides Detective Callaghan must have done well on previous cases for Detective Bakshi to appoint him so quickly right?"

Irked, "That or the man is just incredibly lazy"

She sighed, "Maybe your being too harsh on the man."

"Who Bakshi?"

"No, Callaghan."

I was confused, "Why would you say that I'm being too harsh on Callaghan?"

"Well think about it," she paused, "he's running an entire team at the minute, sure they haven't figured the case yet but neither had our staff."

"Our staff were dumped with that case when the Lawson's couldn't handle it! You know yourself why we teamed up with them so don't start giving me any lectures."

"I'm not," she shrugged, there was no fight in her this evening. As if something else was on her mind, "I'm just suggesting that you hear him out before judging him. Besides, you won't be working with him for long if you get the case solved."

Ignoring her odd somber tone, "I'm meeting with the two suspects tomorrow. I'm going to bring Harper with me, he's sending me one of his staff but I don't know which yet. Means we can co-work on it. I'm not just handing it back to the Lawson's."

"From what I can figure, he's smarter than you give him credit for."

"Tess, have you not listened to a word that I've said?"

"Just shut up for a second would you?" She paced, "Right so the boss of the company appointed him as the senior detective on a case based on previous experience working there and because he found a key piece of evidence that would have otherwise been missed. Some of our team wouldn't even be able to do that"

"Got lucky" I bellowed.

She rolled her eyes, "Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't. He's got far more talent than the intern you hired that's for sure"

"What's wrong with Brileigh?" I felt insulted by her remark.

Through a monotone expression, "You only hired her for the pretty face and plump butt."

I hesitated and that's what gave me away. "Not true."

"So you're not going to tell me that you find her attractive?"

Truth be told, I never really cared for having an intern but there was a time when I had no reason for hiring an assistant either so I thought that hiring someone as an intern would also mean I had someone to obey my will and command which was more often than not little errands. In the mean time they could learn more about the job at hand so I advertised for someone with research skills and an interest in detective work. Tess and I sifted through about forty CV's and then Tess held twenty phone interviews, I had fifteen people come to the office. Sure, some of them were much more experienced than Brileigh but some had less than her. There was something about her which I couldn't turn away.

Trying to brush it off, "Her looks have nothing to do with giving her the job Tess."

"You didn't answer my question." She reminded me.

I bit my lip, I couldn't be entirely honest about my thoughts. My dark intentions. Making it seem like nothing, I scrunched my lip, "I suppose she isn't bad to look at sure but the girl is young."

"Hasn't stopped you before."

I was about to come back with an argument when we both chuckled. This was the first time I saw her crack a smile the entire evening. I pointed a finger, "She's good at maths. Does any crappy task we throw her way. Good with file organization. We needed someone like her. With internet stuff and working out possibilities of time duration."

Tess simply nodded along sarcastically, "So you wouldn't bang?"

"That is very unprofessional. I would never-"

"Bet you would," she grinned, "oh shit,"

"What?"

I was too occupied with finishing my drink to take notice of the sound. Her phone. Shoved into her pocket. It was ringing. She pulled it to her ear as promptly as she could and returned to the dampened expression.

"Hey honey, sorry I didn't-" she was cut off by the other line.

I knew what that tone meant. What that look meant.

Her boyfriend was overly protective. They had been together four years. Before working for me, Tess had been on a different kind of investigation team which in his eyes was far less dangerous. She was in an office all day every day much as she was now but they investigated crap to do with money fraud and getting people paid money they were owed or having people taken to court for tax evasion. Really boring shit. I don't think he realized that she didn't come out on the job with me. She was merely there to answer the things I didn't want to. To make sure the company name didn't get dragged through the dirt by the media. Everyone else pretty much had the job of interviewing, running things over to the labs or going to crime scenes.

Of all people in the company she effectively was the safest.

Yet she had a curfew. One that he set for her.

A thirty year old woman with a curfew.

"I'm just out with Myra." She explained meekly, "Yes, I did tell you." She turned away from the table, her hand going back through her hair as she tried to keep herself calm. "I text you because you weren't at home when I left. I wasn't sure when would be back that's why I-"

It couldn't be eleven already could it?

I rested my chin against my hand waiting for their unnecessary squabble to end. She was getting an earful from the other end of the line but I couldn't figure out what was being said.

"Yes, I walked down. I've had one drink. A lager. What do you mean outside? You're outside? Five minutes? Right. Fine."

She hung up the phone and let out a puff of aggression.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"You wouldn't get it. You aren't with anyone."

"Not this evening no." I stuck my tongue out.

She snapped, "You're not in a serious relationship"

"Serious? Oh darling no! Where's the fun in that?"