‘You’re not on your own now, Isla,’ Shona said quietly.
‘You really think you can get this guy?’ Isla looked coolly at Shona, assessing her, and Shona had a glimpse of the streetwise intelligence, the head for figures that had kept this tiny, fragile creature alive against the odds.
‘I can nail him, with your help. I owe it to Siobhan.’ She paused. ‘You owe it to Siobhan and yourself. He’s never going to stop unless we stop him.’ She watched as the young woman made the calculation, a look of resignation signalling she’d balanced the odds.
‘Aye, maybe you’re right.’ Isla stubbed out her cigarette. ‘Okay. His name’s Evan Campbell. He’s from Glasgow but he’s got a flat in Carlisle too. Jamie took me there once.’
‘Do you know the address?’ Shona pulled out her phone and pressed Dan Ridley’s number.
Isla shrugged. ‘No idea.’
Shona quickly updated Dan. When she gave him the news that Isla was alive and had information on their suspect he was shocked into silence. Then she could hear him beaming with enthusiasm, the keen, urgent edge back in his voice. With a witness and a suspect, they could build a case. Show Shona was right, get her reinstated. Shona reminded him they’d have to catch Evan Campbell first.
‘Can you describe Evan Campbell’s flat? Did you go by car?’ Shona asked Isla.
‘Aye, underground car park. Lift to the penthouse suite, all very flash.’
‘Did you hear that, Dan? Ring any bells?’
‘Could be any number of places,’ Dan replied glumly.
‘What else, Isla? Anything?’
Isla screwed up her face with the effort of remembering. ‘There was this chimney, this big brick chimney. Like it was an old factory or something, but really tall.’
‘Shenton Mill,’ said Dan triumphantly. ‘It all flats now. I’ll get over there with back-up.’
Shona gave Isla the thumbs up and moved away, lowering her voice. ‘That’s great, but listen, Dan, I want you to keep the fact Isla is alive between you and me for the moment. Officially, Campbell is wanted in connection with the death of your bail absconder, Jamie Buckland. That’s all anyone needs to know. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
‘Okay,’ Dan said slowly. ‘You think there’s a leak? You think Isla could be in danger?’
‘I think whoever killed Siobhan thought she was Isla. Let’s not take any chances.’ She paused. ‘Dan, what happens after a big drug raid?’
‘A new team takes over in a couple of months and we’re back to square one,’ he sighed.
‘Isla’s just told me the new crew had people in place before the raids.’
‘How could they do that?’
‘Maybe they knew we were coming,’ Shona said. There was silence as Dan digested this possibility. ‘Just be careful,’ Shona continued. ‘We’re on our own now.’
‘Okay, boss.’ He ended the call.
Between the leaden boxes of the caravans, Shona could see two bright dots. The boys in their colourful anoraks were orbiting Marie, refuelled by chips and coke, running wide circles around her. Shona returned to Isla.
Isla took a mint from the cigarette packet. ‘If she asks, I’ll say you gave me the fags,’ she said, a twinkle in her eye before turning sombre. ‘You know, I never really thanked you for what you did in the hospital. That night you stopped Gringo hammering me. I guess I knew then I could trust you.’
‘Will you go back to him, when he gets out?’ Shona asked. She’d seen it time and again.
Isla shook her head. ‘No. I need to stay clean, help my ma with the boys. She wants me to go to college, but, you know.’ She shrugged. ‘No one off my estate goes to college.’
‘No one off my estate became a police officer either,’ said Shona. Curiosity flashed in Isla’s eyes so Shona continued. ‘I’ll tell you a secret. I came from a place like you. My mother OD’d when I was a kid, never knew my dad. But I was lucky. I got an education and my gran taught me you can do anything you put your mind to. You were right to get angry, it’s still about respect. So, Isla Corr, just you remember, you’ve been given a second chance. Get out there and teach the world to respect you.’
‘Aye.’ Isla grinned, linking her arm through Shona’s as they watched Marie and the boys walk towards them. ‘Who can stand against two angry wee women when they put their minds to something?’
‘Naebody I can think of,’ Shona replied, solemnly.
Chapter 33