Page 53 of No Safe Place
Colour rose in Riley’s cheeks. ‘I don’t see the issue. We needed to bring him in. The stabbing was on his doorstep, and he didn’t call an ambulance, plus he was one of the trial kids. He’s a suspect—’
‘He is a person of interest. But he’s also an extremely vulnerable young man, who was in your care. And, for fuck’s sake, Riley, no one at that scene was impressed with how you handled it.’
Riley lifted his chin. ‘I’ll feel sorry for him when we establish that he’s not the one stabbing people in the neck.’
‘And how are we supposed to do that, with him on a psych ward?’ Field’s voice rose to a shout. People outside would be able to hear, but she didn’t care.
Field picked up the newly purchased copy ofDarlings, Obsessedfrom her desk and Riley flinched, like she was going to throw it at him.
‘Top priority for every officer on this case is tracking down the people involved in that study. Callum Mulligan was the only person who could tell us who we should be fucking looking for.’
That wasn’t the only reason she was angry – she could admit that much to herself. Field was angry that someone onherteam could get it so wrong – could treat Callum Mulligan that badly.
Riley had gone red, but to his credit, maintained eye contact. She threw the book down on the desk between them.
‘If he is guilty—’ She was speaking at a normal volume again, and through the glass walls she watched people turn back to their computers. ‘Ifhe is guilty, nothing he says while he’s on that ward will be admissible.’
She drained her lukewarm coffee in one and stood up. ‘I’m placing you on restricted duties.’
Riley’s eyes bulged. ‘Seriously? Boss—’
‘I’ll make a decision about serving you with a Reg 13 after I’ve reviewed the bodycams.’
She didn’t want to look at the footage. Already couldn’t get Callum’s screams, his tortured expression out of her head.
He’d reminded her of Toby, on those darkest days.
Field took a steadying breath. ‘I’m placing you on restricted duties,’ she repeated. ‘You’ll be office-bound until further notice. Count yourself lucky I haven’t removed you from this case, DS Riley.’
His cheeks flamed, but he didn’t argue.
‘Now get out of my sight.’
Chapter 31
Thursday | Afternoon
Field
The meeting was bigger than yesterday’s. For the first time since she made DCI, members of Raynott’s team were being loaned to their MIT. Only DCs, but even so.
Riley was leaning against a desk, chatting to a couple of the newer uniformed recruits, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was putting on a brave face after his semi-public bollocking, but he wasn’t wincing over the split lip anymore.
Wilson was firing off emails on her laptop.
‘Afternoon, all,’ Field barked.
She held up a hand and indicated everyone should sit down.
‘First things first, David Moore is still in critical condition at King’s, but he’s stable. The initial report from the forensic medical examiner should be with us by tonight. Due to catastrophic blood loss, he was technically deceased for several minutes, which could mean permanent brain damage. We can’t rely on him waking up and telling us who did this.’ She glancedat Sam’s file on the desk. ‘Today I want to focus on our second victim.’
The room was silent.
Field pulled the file towards her and took out Sam’s photograph, pinning it to the centre of the whiteboard, next to David’s work headshot.
‘Samantha Hughes, or Sam to her friends. Thirty-two years old, healthy, no criminal record. She worked at a local pub and was studying for an English PhD at Goldsmiths.’ Field steeled herself. ‘Her parents live in Rickmansworth. Hertfordshire police delivered the death notice this morning. They’ll be here this evening.’
Field uncapped a marker and wrote “PATIENT B” above Sam’s photograph. ‘According to Callum Mulligan, she was a patient in Moore’s study, and Dr Young found scarring consistent with Patient B’s described dermatillomania.’
