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

and a smartly dressed woman walked in. She approached Sara with a smile and her hand extended. “It’s good to meet you, Inspector Ramsey. I’m Governor Prentice. Officer Gray mentioned you wanted to see me regarding a possible news conference appeal, is that right?”

“It is. Jo Zappel is prepared to do it for us. I’ve got everything cued up, all I need is the go-ahead from you. Before you say yes or no, ordinarily, I would never put anyone in authority in this predicament, but as you know, these are extenuating circumstances.”

“Which is why I’m willing to agree to the media descending upon us. Go ahead and do what you need. If Zappel has given you the all-clear to proceed, then who am I to stand in your way?”

Sara rose from her chair and shook the woman’s hand a second time. “It’s going to make our lives so much easier, hopefully. I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to this, Governor Prentice.”

“It’s Gemma, and it’s also my pleasure. Come with me to my office, there you can make the necessary calls and I can organise a suitable room to be used. It’s all quite exciting really, I’ve never sanctioned anything along these lines before.”

“Let’s hope you never have to do it again in the future.”

“Fingers crossed. Come with me.” Gemma Prentice led Sara through the corridors of the prison in the opposite direction to the way she’d entered. Once they’d reached Gemma’s office, they both got to work and arranged everything to go ahead at two that afternoon.

Jane was a superstar and had organised both the BBC and ITV news crews to attend, as well as a couple of local newspapers in the area. She couldn’t have asked for more effort to be expended.

All they needed now was for someone out there to provide them with a possible address or location for Adam Zappel, so he could be apprehended.

11

Sara was mentally exhausted by the time the media appeal aired. It had been worth the effort though, because as soon as it was out there, the phones in the incident room began ringing with possible sightings. Sara was almost back at the station when the call came in that Zappel junior had been caught. She smacked her hand on the steering wheel in glee, but that soon dipped when she was told the devastating news that Carla wasn’t with him when he was apprehended.

She drove the rest of the way under the siren and arrived at the station not long after a patrol car had brought Zappel in.

Panting, she ran into the station and asked, “Where is he, Jeff?”

He raised a hand. “In a cell, we’ve processed him. Ma’am, you’re going to need to calm down before you see him.”

“I don’t need you or anyone else telling me what I need to do, Jeff.”

“You’d better take it from me, then,” an unfamiliar voice cautioned her from the security door that led into the inner sanctum.

Sara whizzed around, ready to give the man a mouthful. “And who the hell are you?”

“Allow me to introduce myself, Inspector Ramsey, I’m DI Des Williams. You were aware of my imminent arrival, were you not?”

Sara nodded and appraised the newcomer. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark blue suit. His hair neat and just above his collar. His demeanour oozing authority. She offered a weak smile of friendship. “Yes. Look, I know you’re here to take over, but it’s my partner we’re talking about here.”

“All the more reason for you to take a step back, that’s the appropriate procedure after all.”

Sara sighed. His expression was one of determination. She was knackered; she should have been up for the fight, but what was the point?

“Okay, you win. I’ll back down. But can I ask a favour?”

“Like you had an option, anyway. Go ahead, there’s no harm in asking.”

“Can I be in on the interview with the suspect?” She offered up one of her most dazzling smiles in an effort to get back on his good side.

“Absolutely, categorically, not! N-O-T.”

“What? But that’s ridiculous. Please, do I have to remind you this is my partner we’re talking about?”

“Take it up with your DCI if you’re unhappy about the refusal. I have work to do. Time is of the essence after all, right?”

Sara narrowed her eyes and glared at him for a few seconds, the rebuttal she was dying to unleash reverberating around the inside of her mouth. She stormed past him and muttered, “Fucking idiot!”

His laughter followed her up the stairs. “Pleased to meet you too, Inspector.”

At the top, she almost bumped into DCI Price. “Sorry, ma’am, I was miles away.”

“Is something wrong, Inspector?”

“No. I… oh, what the hell? Yes, everything is wrong. I’ve busted my gut to get things organised today, and the suspect has been apprehended finally, but the jerk you brought in ‘to take over the case’ is refusing me access to Zappel.” Tears pricked and she let out an exasperated breath.

“While I understand where you’re coming from, I need you not to take things personally, Sara. Our priority has to be to get Carla back. You’re not in the right frame of mind to tackle the suspect. Look at you! Tell me I’m wrong, if you can.”

She turned away and stared at the wall, her shoulders slumped. “Okay, you win.” Another idea sparked. “I might not be able to go in there, due to procedures, but there’s nothing stopping you being in on the action, is there?”

DCI Price held her arms out to the side. “Where exactly do you think I was going? You never gave me the chance to fill you in. Now, step aside, dear lady, grab yourself a coffee and leave the suspect to the experts.”

“Are you suggesting I’m not?”

“Climb down off that damned high horse of yours and stop taking things to heart. I’ll let you know how we got on. I’m doing this for you, just remember that the next time you feel like running me down.”

Sara