“Then why arrest him?” The chief tilted his head a little.

“DNA, it’s what we work with. I have my team working on every angle to find the true perpetrator. The thing is, Dorling almost ended his life because we fu… screwed up.”

“That’s very unfortunate. So, are you looking into the possibility of someone trying to stitch this man up?”

“Yes, sir. Like I said, we have a preliminary sketch of a suspect, and I went to see Dorling today, hoping he could identify the man, but his eyes are severely damaged from his suicide attempt, although they should improve in time. I think if it meant he was able to discount himself and put someone else in the frame, he’d do it.”

“So what’s the next course of action for you, Inspector? Wait, before you try and answer that, I have to tell you that I’m seriously considering taking the case off you.”

“Why? I’m… we’re doing our best, and I truly do believe we’re close to finding the true culprit. Please, don’t take the case from under us now.”

“I feel for you. However, I have the super breathing his dragon-like breath down my collar. You know as well as I do the stringent targets we have to meet at present.”

“I’m all too aware of those idiotic targets, sir. I have to say in our defence that my team usually have no trouble meeting those targets.”

“Indeed. Maybe that’s the reasoning behind the super’s insistence—in the past, you’ve just been too good at your job. Now you’re being punished for your own success.”

“Jesus, really? It’s a bloody catch-22 situation. We’re damned if we do, and doubly damned if we don’t. Forgive me for retaliating aggressively, sir, but bloody hell, where is the justice in that?”

“There isn’t one. In the force’s eyes, it’s a matter of getting results or shipping failing officers out.”

Sally leaned against the back of her chair, the fight fleeing her rapidly. “Where’s the incentive in that? I don’t mean to be argumentative, sir, but sometimes, cases have a habit of spinning out of control, no matter how many hours you spend on them. You are aware that I’ve spent the last few nights here, sleeping at my desk, aren’t you?”

“No, I wasn’t aware. I’m not the one doubting you or your team’s capabilities—neither is the super, really—but targets are targets, and they need to be met.”

“I understand that, and believe me, I’m doing my utmost to adhere to those targets. Maybe we should show the criminals the spreadsheet and tell them to buck up their ideas. Now that’s a thought, isn’t it?”

His stern façade broke into a smile. “Has anyone ever told you how funny you are when you’re annoyed?”

“No. And now isn’t a very good time to start, either. Please, give us until the end of next week to come up with the goods.” Sally had a feeling her DCI was talking garbage anyway, given the size of the Norfolk Constabulary. The department didn’t have the resources to bring another team in to deal with the case and starting from scratch would have been more detrimental than allowing Sally’s team to continue to run the case.

He rose and walked towards the door. “Very well. On one condition.”

Sally bounced forward in her chair. “Name it.”

“That you keep me informed of your progress at the end of every day.”

“Crap! Really? That’s like returning to kindergarten rules.”

“You’re not the only one who needs to up their game, Inspector. There’s no need to give me an update this evening. Let’s start on Monday, okay?”

“If I must, sir. Enjoy your weekend.”

“You, too. Let’s hope your eyes are at least back to their normal size come Monday morning.”

He left the office. Moments later Jack walked in. “Everything all right, boss?”

“Tickety-boo, Jack. Tickety-fucking-boo,” she snapped at him. He retreated quickly, and she regretted taking her foul mood out on him. She kicked the table leg and winced with pain. Jesus, when are you going to learn to curb that temper of yours? She returned to the incident room and circulated it, speaking to each member of the team, getting updates on the tasks they’d been set. At the end of her tour, she clapped and called for their attention.

“Listen up, folks. I’m going to say this as it was said to me. The chief has given us exactly seven days to conclude the case.”

“So, he’s going to issue us with the necessary manpower, is he?” Jack asked, looking annoyed.

“No, he’s not. I suppose it’s partially my fault—I told him we were on the brink of cracking the case. I promise I’ll think before I put my mouth into gear next time. Anyway, let’s start afresh on Monday. Have a good weekend, folks. Oh, and if you happen to go out and frequent any pubs in the area, keep a vigilant eye open for the suspect we have a dubious sketch of, if you will?”

“I’ll make some copies if you like, boss,” Joanna volunteered.

“Thanks. I’m going to shoot off now. I have to pick up my poorly pup on the way home. Have a good one, peeps.”

Sally arrived at the vet’s moments before evening surgery began as the vet had instructed. A nurse led Dex into the consulting room. His tail wagged vigorously when he saw Sally; she knelt on the floor and gently cuddled her pal. “All better are you, sweetie?”

“Hardly,” the vet said. “But he’s getting there. He was very lucky the rib didn’t puncture his lung. If that had happened, I doubt he would have pulled through. Gentle exercise only over the next few weeks and certainly no running after a ball. Here’s some painkillers and the instructions for their use. Any problems, don’t hesitate to contact me, day or night. Keep him under surveillance at all times, if you will.”

“I’ll do that over the weekend then pass the baton across to my parents while I’m at work. Thank you so much for saving him, Doc. I’d be lost without his cheeky face around the place.”

“He’s certainly a character. Not many dogs would have withstood the suffering he’s put up with these last couple of days. That’s for sure. Need a hand getting him into the car?”

“We’ll be fine.” Sally stood and shook Dr. Munroe’s hand. “Sincerely, I thank you for caring for him.”

“It’s my job. Take care now. Can you bring him back in about ten days for a check-up?”

“I will. Thanks.”

Gingerly, Dex walked beside her, not pulling on the leash as he usually did. Once they reached the car, she held open the back door. Dex placed his front paws in the footwell, and she hoisted his rear end into the car. Dex travelled in the footwell behind her seat during the short trip home. Her parents were at the gate to meet them. Gathered around the car they exchanged kisses under the watchful eye of the vile neighbours across the road.

“I don’t think we’ll be getting any more crap from them in the near future. Let’s get the boy in and settled.” She opened the back door, and Dex surprised her by jumping out of the car before she had the chance to grab him. “Dex, calm down, boy. Are you all right?” She crouched and kissed his head. The dog whimpered and licked her face.

Before she closed the high side gate, Sally glared at the wife of the man who’d been taken into custody, and pointed a warning finger in her direction. The woman scowled and stormed into her house.

The rest of the weekend consisted of caring for her dog and generally relaxing with her parents, while keeping a vigilant eye on the neighbours from hell. She spent the odd hour or two on obligatory work-related notes. She even contacted Jack over the weekend with a few suspicions she had, much to Donna’s disgust. She’d reminded herself on more than one occasion that they had a deadline to meet. She had a feeling she would be ticking more people off over the coming days in order to get the case wrapped up by the weekend.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Monday morning arrived, along with a renewed determination rushing through her veins. Sally kissed her parents farewell and told them not to expect her home until late that evening.