‘Thanks, Murdo.’ Shona ended the call.
‘The doc will be out for a chat as soon they’ve assessed her.’ Tommy handed her a large china mug of tea. ‘Here, drink this first.’
Shona looked at the cup, then sipped the hot, sweet tea. ‘This isn’t out of a machine.’
‘No, well, the eejit who made the fuss about parking had a change of heart. Brought these from the crew room.’
The doctor appeared an hour later and told them Becca had gone to theatre to have her broken arm set. Shona could see her afterwards. They’d be keeping her for a few days to monitor her concussion, but otherwise, he didn’t think there was anything else to worry about. She’d been lucky and wearing a helmet had probably saved her life. Overcome with relief, Shona thanked him and felt suddenly exhausted. The orange plastic chair was heavy and hard beneath her aching muscles and she realised she must look a mess. Her work trousers and white blouse were stained with mud and blood beneath an old RNLI fleece of Tommy’s.
‘After you’ve seen Becca, you should go home. I’ll take you,’ Tommy said. Shona nodded, unable to put up further resistance. He sat down next to her and patted her hand. She felt her head droop against his shoulder and fell into a light doze.
Two hours later, they were still waiting when Murdo arrived with Rob. ‘Found him in the pub, not fit to drive,’ Murdo said sternly, his mouth a hard line of disapproval.
Shona looked at the swaying, pale-faced figure before her. ‘Where were you, Rob? You’re supposed to be looking after her.’ It was all she could think of to say.
Chapter 22
As Shona sat in the hospital waiting for news, DCI Gavin Baird stalked into the CID room at Dumfries HQ. It was empty except for a slim young woman sitting at her desk with headphones on. She jumped when she saw him.
‘Hello, sorry to scare you. DC Irving, isn’t it?’ He extended his hand and fixed her with his best smile. ‘I’ve heard good reports about your work. Cracked this baby milk case, I heard.’
Kate blushed and took his hand. ‘A team effort, really. Weren’t expecting you, sir. The boss went home an hour ago.’
‘Oh, that’s fine, it’s a social call. I’m looking for Murdo,’ Baird reassured her. ‘Was in the area, thought I’d better get my old mate that pint I keep promising him.’
‘Have you called him?’ Kate asked. ‘He went out on a job this afternoon but I don’t know where he is now.’
‘I did call earlier, left a message.’ Baird pushed out his bottom lip in a comic display of petulance. ‘Can’t believe I’ve come all this way to see my old mate and he stands me up.’ He eyed her. ‘Don’t suppose you fancy a drink?’
‘Er, well…Yes,’ Kate stammered. ‘I’ve just finished here. I’ll get my coat.’
‘Excellent,’ he said brightly. ‘We’ll take my car. You know I haven’t eaten, maybe we should get a quick bite. Know anywhere nice?’
It was a ten-minute drive to a small restaurant serving mid-priced Italian food that Kate told him she took her parents to when they visited. It was close to her flat and a safe choice for all appetites. Baird opened the restaurant door for her and asked the waiter for a quiet table for two. ‘Don’t want to scare the locals with shop talk, do we?’ He winked at Kate.
They ordered, Baird insisting on a bottle of wine for Kate. He’d have one glass with his food, to toast her success with the baby milk case, but stick to mineral water after that since he was driving.
The waiter brought the drinks, Baird encouraged her to tell him about herself, how she came into policing. She recounted how her father was a dentist, but she hadn’t wanted to follow in his footsteps and opted for geography at university as a subject that offered a broad choice of careers. She’d started as a special constable before she graduated and knew she’d found her perfect job.
‘A scientific background, that’s impressive,’ Baird said, topping up her glass. ‘We need a measured, analytical approach in modern policing. You know,’ he looked at her shrewdly, measuring her through half-closed eyes as if judging her worth, ‘it’s no secret that I’m in line for promotion.’
‘Really, sir? Congratulations,’ Kate said.
He smiled, self-consciously modest. ‘Oh, I’m not there yet. But it will come, and when it does, I want top calibre officers for my team.’ He leaned across the table. ‘Think you’d be interested?’
‘Well,’ she said with a show of studied consideration that failed to hide her desire to bite his hand off, ‘I’d certainly think about it.’
‘Seems I’ll have to do my best to persuade you,’ he smiled. Their main courses arrived. He signalled the waiter for another bottle. ‘You see, I believe policing is about striking a balance. You’ll never wipe out crime completely, but with a carrot and stick approach you can make crime regulate itself. It’s always going to be there, but keeping it at its lowest possible integer is what we need.’
Kate smiled. ‘Absolutely.’
‘I need people who break the mould. People who are not afraid to voice their opinions.’
Kate nodded vigorously, swallowing a mouthful of pasta and picking up her wine glass, which Baird had quietly refilled.
‘For instance, what would you change locally?’ Baird said. ‘How would you do things differently?’
Kate eyed him uncertainly. ‘Well, I wouldn’t want to appear disloyal… sir.’