Page 20 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘You’ve lost me already. If it’s genetic, doesn’t that mean one of the parents have it?’

‘No. It’s pure chance. Anyone can give birth to a Down’s syndrome child.’

‘So, again, what is it? I mean, you can tell there’s something wrong with her.’

Chris rolled his eyes behind Bishop’s back. ‘They have physical and mental disabilities. As they get older, they’ll have a low IQ, sometimes that of a child of about eight or nine. They can also have stunted growth and low muscle tone. They’re also at increased risk of a huge number of other illnesses too such as congenital heart defects and epilepsy.’

‘Jesus, they don’t have much going for them, do they? How come you know so much about them?’

‘My sister’s Down’s syndrome.’

Bishop turned to look at him. ‘Is she? Oh. Sorry,’ he said with a lack of emotion. ‘In that case, you can interview the parents. You’ll be more understanding than me,’ he said, walking away.

‘That’s not difficult,’ Chris said under his breath. ‘Fucking dinosaur.’

‘He might be a dinosaur, but he gets results,’ DS Stephen Osborne said.

Chris jumped. He hadn’t realised there was anyone hovering nearby. ‘Sorry, sir. I didn’t mean anything by it.’

‘Maybe not. Just be careful what you say and have a look over your shoulder before you say it. You don’t want to upset the wrong people.’

‘No. I’m sorry.’ Chris went back to his desk and sat down.

‘You all right?’ DC Ritter said, leaning close.

‘Yes. Just put my foot in it with Osborne.’

‘You want to be careful what you say around him. He’s Bishop’s eyes and ears when Bishop locks himself away in his office.’

‘Why?’

‘Osborne married Bishop’s cousin. Whatever you just said will get straight back to Bishop.’

‘Shit.’

‘Don’t worry. Bishop doesn’t hold grudges.’

‘That’s good.’

‘He’ll just break your nose with his elbow.’

Chris looked at him, worry etched on his face.

Ritter laughed. ‘I’m joking.’

‘Thank God for that.’

‘He’d get Osborne to do it for him out of working hours.’

‘I’m beginning to wish I stayed in uniform.’

‘It’s another world up here, mate. Not everyone’s cut out for it.’

Chris turned his seat around, so he was facing Ritter. ‘Do you get on with Bishop?’

He thought for a moment before answering. ‘I don’t think anyone really gets on with Bishop, not even Osborne. We tolerate him. He’s good at his job, though. The top brass upstairs tends to ignore him as long as he keeps banging up the killers.’

‘Ritter, come on, you’re with me,’ someone called.