Page 8 of Her Last Breath

Suddenly Jane’s mind pulsed with images of their time together at police college, those short-lived nights when they had been more than friends. She had ended up with Sameer despite being aware of his brazen attempts to make his way through their year’s entire female intake. Neither of them had been marriage material or looking for anything long-term. Their shared history gave her the confidence to ignore his rank when they were alone.

‘An apple isn’t going to help me deal with DS Johnson. I need something stronger.’

‘Easy now, Jane. DS Johnson has been around a long time. If you work out how to manage him, he could be a real asset. He knows Burnley better than anyone.’

Jane said nothing in response, as they moved away to a quieter area.

‘You got this job over him, Jane. It can’t be easy for him.’

‘I guessed as much. But if he’s such an asset, why hire me?’

Her role was a temporary cover for the previous DI, who’d gone on an extended leave of absence to travel the world.

‘We needed someone like you, sharp from the Met. Plus, you look much better around the office than DS Johnson.’

Holding Sameer’s gaze, recognising the familiar smirk, Jane felt the charge between them. Swiftly, she looked away. He was her boss and she couldn’t let herself get distracted.

‘Cut him some slack, Jane. You’re younger than him, more dynamic. DS Johnson is a bit ground down and overworked, I agree, but he’s committed to the force. You and he aren’t so different, you know.’

‘I take offence at that.’

‘You’re both married to your careers is all I meant. He’s single like you, no family ties.’

Jane flinched.

‘Again, if he’s so focused, why not keep him acting up?’

Reaching out, Sameer took her chocolate bar, tore open the wrapper and ate half in one bite.

‘DS Johnson is solid, does everything by the book. It gets him results; he’s got one of the best clear-up rates in Lancs Constabulary. The guys at the top though, they want someone more dynamic, more sexy.’

‘I’m not here to pole dance.’

‘Don’t be obtuse, you know what I’m getting at. If I had to haul either of you in front of my bosses, you’d have them drinking the Kool-Aid.’

‘How do the team feel about him? They’re distinctly frosty towards me.’

‘They respect him, but you can make them loyal to you. That’s how good you are.’

‘Looks like you’re the one drinking the Kool-Aid.’

‘The team will fall into step with you,’ Sameer continued, ignoring her interruption. ‘You just need to earn their trust. Despite your circumstances, I’d never have compromised my integrity if you weren’t the right choice. You needed this job and I needed the best DI for my team, so the timing worked for both of us.’

Jane remembered the phone call from her mother, two months ago, to tell Jane about her Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Maeve had told Jane she could cope, that she didn’t need her to come up to Burnley, that she was used to being alone. It was a way to needle her. To make her feel like she had failed at being a daughter.

‘How is your mother?’

‘Trying.’

‘She must appreciate you being back, though?’

‘I’ve no idea. I came back to Burnley because I wanted some resolution. I’ll try and sort things with her, but at the very least, I want to make sure she dies with dignity.’

Returning home was definitely the right move. But accepting the DI job? With an unhelpful deputy at work and a spiralling case list, Jane was less sure about that. Maybe she should have just taken a sabbatical and looked after her mother.

She shook that thought away. No way would that have worked. The two women would have driven each other crazy within a couple of days.

‘I think this is one big fuck you to her if I’m being totally honest,’ she continued. ‘She didn’t expect me to come back and she would have used that to berate me until she died. She’s as cold now as she always was. After my brother died, things just snowballed. Dad left because of how she was and then I had to deal with her until I could escape. There was never any warmth or affection there.’