Page 92 of Better the Devil

‘But…it went OK. I think. I hope. They didn’t laugh me out of the room at any point. Some of the questions threw me a bit, but I think I managed to pull answers out from somewhere.’

‘Nice. Good. Good. Well done,’ Logan told her. ‘They say when you’d hear?’

‘No. I mean, not really. Said it wouldn’t be today?—’

‘Bastards,’ Logan interjected.

‘Maybe tomorrow, though,’ Sinead continued. ‘I suppose it all depends on how Tyler gets on, and how much they need to discuss.’

‘They might well drag it out. Makes them feel important,’ Logan said. ‘But I’ll talk to Mitchell. See if she can give me any insight.’

‘Thanks, sir. Um, I think Tyler’s out, can I…?’

Logan waved her towards the door. She put a hand on the handle, but didn’t open it.

‘Have, eh… Have you spoken to Olivia yet?’

Logan grimaced, then shook his head. ‘No.’

‘Don’t you think?—?’

‘We’ll see what her father has to say for himself first.’

Sinead hesitated. ‘Right.’ She opened her mouth like she was going to offer some argument, but decided against it. ‘Whatever you think.’

She shot him a smile, then went hurrying out.

Logan hung back in his office, watching as Sinead rushed to Tyler’s side. Watching as he grabbed her hand and let his shoulders flop, like he was about to pass out after running a marathon.

Jack checked his watch. Half-one. It was Friday, which meant an early finish for schools across the Highland Council region.

Olivia would be home soon. If he left now, he could beat her there.

But why? For what? What would he even ask her? What did he expect her to say?

He checked his watch again. Nothing had changed, of course, but something he saw there made his mind up for him.

‘Taggart!’

The wee dog came trotting out from under the desk with an inquisitivewoof?

Logan unhooked the lead from the back of his office door.

‘Let’s get you home.’

Logan was passingthe door to Det Supt Mitchell’s office when a shout from within surprised him.

‘Jack!’

He stopped and considered the closed door beside him, then knocked and entered without any further invite.

Mitchell stood by the window, arms folded like she’d just been admiring the view of the windswept car park and industrial estate.

‘Ma’am? How did you know?—?’

Mitchell cut him off. ‘You’re the size of a Shire horse, Jack. I know when you’re walking past my door.’

She looked down at Taggart, who was sitting at Jack’s side, panting happily.