Read Online Crack Down by Val McDermid - Free Book Online Page B

crack they shouldn’t have. But that’s a one-person job, Bill. Look, leave me numbers where I can reach you, day or night. I promise, if I get anywhere and I need an extra pair of hands, I’ll call you right away.”
    â€œThat’s truly the only lead you’ve got? You’re not holding out on me?” he asked suspiciously.
    â€œBelieve me, Bill, if I thought there was anything for you to do,
I’d be on my hands and knees begging,” I said, only half joking.
    â€œWell, let’s see what Della has to say. Right, team, let’s get some work done!” He strolled back over to Shelley’s desk. “This bit here, Shelley. Can we shift it further up the report, so all the frightening stuff hits them right at the beginning?”
    Shelley rolled her eyes upwards and got to her feet, squeezing my arm supportively as she passed me on the way to her desk. “Let me have a look, Bill,” she said, settling into her chair.
    As I headed for my own office, Bill looked up and smiled. I think it was meant to reassure me. It didn’t. I closed my door and dropped into my chair like a stone. I put a hand out to switch on my computer, but there didn’t seem a lot of point. I swivelled round and looked out of the window at the city skyline. The lemon geranium on the sill was drooping. Knowing my track record with plants, my best friend Alexis had given me the geranium, confidently predicting it was indestructible. I tried not to see its impending death as an omen and turned away. Time was slipping past, and I didn’t seem to be able to take any decisive action to relieve the sense of frustration that was burning inside me like indigestion.
    â€œCome on , Brannigan,” I urged myself, picking up the phone. At least I could get the worst job over with. When the phone was answered, I said, “Andrew Broderick, please.”
    Moments later, a familiar voice said, “Broderick.”
    â€œAndrew, it’s Kate Brannigan. I have good news and bad news,” I said. “The good news is that we’ve found the car, undamaged.”
    â€œThat’s tremendous,” he said, his astonishment obvious. “How did you manage that?”
    â€œPure chance, unfortunately,” I said. “The bad news, however, is that the police have impounded it.”
    â€œThe police? But why?”
    I sighed. “It’s a bit complicated, Andrew,” I said. Brannigan’s entry for the understatement of the year contest. When I’d finished explaining, I had an extremely unhappy client.
    â€œThis is simply not on,” he growled. “What right have they got to hang on to a car that belongs to my company?”
    â€œIt’s evidence in a major drugs case.”

    â€œJesus Christ,” he exploded. “If I don’t get that car back, this operation is going to cost me about as much as the scam. How the hell am I going to lose that in the books?”
    I didn’t have the answer. I made some placatory noises, and got off the line as fast as I could. Staring at the wall, I remembered a loose end that was hanging around from Broderick’s job, so I rang my local friendly finance broker.
    Josh Gilbert and I have an arrangement: he runs credit checks on dodgy punters for me and I buy him dinner a lot. Anything else he can help us with we pay through the nose for.
    It turned out that Josh was out of town, but his assistant Julia was around. I explained what I wanted from her and she said, “No problem. I can’t promise I’ll get to it today, but I’ll definitely fax it to you by Tuesday lunch time. Is that OK?”
    It would have to be. The one free favor Josh had ever done me was introducing me to Detective Chief Inspector Della Prentice. My next call was to her direct line. She answered on the second ring. “DCI Prentice,” she said crisply.
    â€œDella, it’s Kate,” I said. Even to me, my voice sounded