Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey Book 12), M Comley [world of reading TXT] 📗

and shrugged. She entered the room a few seconds later to find DCI Price already seated. Sara closed the door and sat in her chair. “Something wrong, ma’am?”

“I don’t know, is there? Am I not allowed to do the rounds now and again?”

“Of course you are. I always get nervous when you make a special trip to see me and don’t summon me to your office.”

“That’ll be your guilty conscience prodding you then, right?”

“I wouldn’t put it quite like that. My conscience is perfectly clear, this week at least.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I wondered if you’d made your decision yet.”

Sara was aware of what the chief was referring to, but decided to play innocent. “Sorry?”

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Sara Ramsey. You were given a very important task to do within a certain deadline. Have you made your decision, yes or no?”

“Sorry, but no. At present, we’re working two murders. Yes, you heard me right, two murders. If I let one of my team go now, can you imagine the pressure that’s going to put the rest of them under?”

“While I appreciate your side of the argument, I have Head Office jumping up and down on my neck, so to speak. Needs must, Sara, we need to get this actioned immediately. I’ve allowed you to stall long enough and now is the time to give me a name.”

Sara shook her head adamantly. “Why don’t we throw my name into the hat, how’s that?”

Carol’s eyes widened. “Don’t be so ridiculous, woman.”

“Am I? You’re sitting here, asking me to throw a bloody member of my team under the bus, how the hell do you expect me to react?”

“With professionalism. As I said before, this is part and parcel of your role as an Inspector. You need to take your duties seriously.”

“Really? You think I play at this role every day of my life? I’m surrounded by excellent people who give me their bloody all while they’re here. I can’t, no, I won’t do it. If by going against your orders, I get the boot, then so be it. I’d rather get the sack myself than see an excellent member of my team shafted when they’ve done nothing wrong.”

“While I admire your loyalty, your pride, or obstinacy should I say, is pissing me off, Sara.”

“I have no regrets in that matter, ma’am. I’m not prepared to cut the staff, not now and not in the future. When I look around this station, it’s clear to me where staff can be cut—the number of times I see certain officers outside having a sneaky fag.”

“They’re entitled to their break, just like anyone else.”

“I’m not saying I begrudge that, I’m merely pointing out that it seems to be the same people swinging the lead all the time.”

“I’ll look into it. The trouble is, it’s your department or team that has been targeted by Head Office.”

“Fine. Then it’s up to you to make them see sense. Did you miss the part where my team are working two separate murder cases at the moment? Look around you, name me another team worthy of doing that in this station. In the bloody county!” She bit back, her voice rising to a squeak.

“Will you calm down? Stop talking to me as if I’m one of your team and start treating me like your superior officer.”

Sara slumped back in her chair. “They’re the facts, ma’am. I’m sick to death of laying the facts on the table for you, especially when you choose to ignore what I tell you.”

“For your information, I have never ignored you when you’ve spoken. I know you’re passionate about this, Sara, but give me a break, please.”

She bounced forward again. “Me, give you a break? It should be the other way around, ma’am. You’ve had my final word on the matter, when do you want my resignation on your desk?”

DCI Price flew out of her chair and marched out of the room without bothering to answer.

Sara made an imaginary strike in the air with her finger. “One to me.”

Carla appeared in the doorway, looking miffed. “Everything all right?”

“Come in. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I think the time has come to share the news.”

“Crap! Sounds ominous. Are you in trouble?”

“I could well be if my ploy doesn’t work out.”

Her partner frowned. “Ploy?”

“Yes. Last month, the DCI came to me with orders from above to cut staff.”

“Isn’t that the norm in the force? They’re always trying to police with the bare minimum, aren’t they?”

“You’re missing the point here, Carla. Our team has been specifically targeted, not the station in general. Us!”

Carla winced. “Ouch, sorry, I’m a bit slow on the uptake.” Her voice lowered. “What are you going to do?”

“I can’t possibly put anyone’s name in the hat, you know how well everyone works around here, we all play a valuable part in a well-oiled machine. I inherited a fabulous team who have accepted me with open arms, how can I sack one of them for fuck’s sake? I just can’t.”

“You’re going to have to. What’s the alternative?”

“The chief reminded me in no uncertain terms that it’s my responsibility to manage the team on all levels.”

“Meaning you get to pick someone to fire. Shit! That sucks.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Is that why she stormed out?”

“That and the fact that I asked her when she wanted my resignation letter.”

“You didn’t? You called her bluff?”

Sara picked up a pen and tapped it against her cheek. “I did. I can’t be dealing with shit like this. Look at today for instance, my mind should be on the two murder investigations we’re running. I reminded her that we’re the only team dealing with two such cases, but it didn’t make the slightest difference. So, I let her have it.”

“Sara, Sara, Sara, what have you done?”

She paused the pen and stared at Carla. “What any self-respecting inspector would do in my situation, I’m presuming.”

Carla groaned. “You think? I doubt if anyone would be as crazy as you.”

“Crazy, is that what you really think