‘Right, the guv wants her belongings moved out of here by tonight. Crowley’s interviewing her just now. She’ll be held in custody until the theft charges are sorted, then taken to a magistrate’s court first thing in the morning. That should give you time to pack up all her gear. She’ll probably be granted bail, so she can return to collect it. Church has suggested that I should be here to make sure she leaves.’
‘But where will she go?’
‘That’s not your problem, sweetheart. You’re a detective constable in the Met, and there could be repercussions about her lodging here with you.’
‘Should I call her work and explain something about her not turning up?’
‘Again, luv, that’s not your problem. We just need to get her out of here, then it’s done and dusted.’
Stanley left. Feeling even worse, Jane went into Pearl’s bedroom. She found her suitcases and placed them on the bed, and started packing clothes. They were soon too full to close, so she began filling up rubbish bags, and placing them in the hall. In the drawer of the bedside table she found bundles of letters and cards, many with New Zealand stamps. She wrapped the TV in one of Pearl’s blankets and then filled a carrier bag with all her toiletries in the bathroom.
The hallway was quickly filled with Pearl’s belongings, and Jane took out the vacuum and began to go over the dirty, food-stained carpet. Jane stripped the bed and bundled the sheets and pillow cases into yet another plastic bag for her to take to the launderette. She polished and dusted every surface. By six o’clock the empty room was devoid of any connection to Pearl Radcliff.
The doorbell rang at eight and Jane looked out of the window to see who it was before she buzzed DCI Church up to the top floor. He gave her a glum smile when he saw the cluttered hallway.
‘Radcliff’s been given a hard time by Crowley, but to be honest, I don’t think there is anything you need to be concerned about. She’ll spend a night in the cells and at about midday tomorrow she’ll be brought here to remove all her stuff.’
‘I never even thought not to mention to Pearl that I was going to Woolwich. I feel so stupid…’ Jane said.
‘Don’t. These things happen. You could actually say we got lucky because if she hadn’t been caught red-handed you might have been arrested along with her, for dishonest handling of a ton of nicked library books.’ He grinned.
‘What did DCI Crowley say about it?’
Church shrugged and tried to make light of it. ‘He’s not exactly happy, but he’s calmed down a bit. Understandably, he wants Pearl out of your flat ASAP.’ The truth was that he had hit the roof, snapping that DC Tennison must be a bloody idiot not to have been suspicious.
Church stood awkwardly in the small hallway. He could see how upset Jane was.
‘Are you ready for the Good Friday do, then?’ he said, changing the subject.
‘Yes, I’ve got my dress.’ she said, rather lamely.
‘Well, it’s only a week to go. The tickets are sold out, so it should be a big bash. There’ll be cocktails before we sit down, and there’s a great menu. Then there’ll be a few speeches, and onto the dance floor with the band.’
Jane felt tearful as she nodded her head. Church reached over and took her hand.
‘Listen, don’t beat yourself up… these things happen. After tomorrow, you’ll be clear of her, and Stanley will be here to make sure she picks up everything. I suggest you just go to work as usual… Stanley will get her front door key and lock up afterwards.’
‘Thank you.’
Church let go of her hand.
‘I may have come on a bit heavy this morning but the reality is, Jane, you have to learn to not allow your emotions to override your professionalism. Regina Hernandez is a sad case but you’ll find there will be many more like her. There is not an officer in the Met who doesn’t have the faces of victims haunting them. It’s quite possible the Vice Squad will find her and this time endeavour to protect her. I’m not going to hold this against you. You have a lot on your shoulders with the situation here in your flat and with Crowley putting pressure on you.
‘You’ve been reassigned so you’re not at the explosives lab anymore,’ he added. ‘As from tomorrow, Crowley wants you working in the bomb squad office at the Yard. He didn’t give a reason but I guess it’s so he can keep a closer eye on you. You’ve had a long day. Get some shuteye and put this all behind you.’
Church waved his hand and she burst into tears as he shut the door behind him.
Chapter Sixteen
Jane left earlier than usual for work on the Friday, not just to get out of the flat, but also to see what she would be working on. In some ways it came as no surprise that she had been assigned to the clerical office, typing and filing reports. She felt as if it was Crowley’s way of punishing her over the Pearl incident and just hoped that DCI Church had not made him fully aware of her indiscretions.
Jane missed the lab and working with Paul Lawrence. She knew if she was with him she could speak in confidence, that he would be understanding and give her sound advice on what to do. The day was labourious and she was given nothing of sensitive interest to type up, it was all reports about new office equipment and expenditure. She knew that word of an officers’ indiscretions travelled fast on the police grapevine and it made her feel uneasy. Every time someone walked into the room to put something on her desk she felt as if they were looking at her with disdain because of Pearl’s arrest.
Although she couldn’t wait for the day to end, part of her was dreading going home. When she finally got back to the flat, it was silent. All of Pearl’s belongings had been taken. Jane made an omelette and a cup of tea and sat at the kitchen counter trying to work out how she was going to be able to afford living there alone. The phone interrupted her thoughts. It was Natalie.
‘Natalie, I meant to call you… I’m sorry. I’ve been sort of up against it at work, and I’ve had a situation here at the flat that you just would not believe.’
Jane found it good to talk about Pearl. Natalie was understanding, and sympathised about how dreadful it must have been for Jane to find out she was a thief.
‘I sort of feel sorry for her. But at least I now have the flat to myself.’
‘Oh, I know exactly how you feel. I love being here on my own. How did dinner go?’
‘It was good, but then we had to go to the hospital as there was an emergency and Michael was on call.’
‘Oh dear, I hope it wasn’t serious.’
‘It was, unfortunately. Do you remember when we first met up again I’d been to see one of the victims of the Covent Garden explosion? She was such a wonderful lady, but she didn’t make it… it was very sad.’
‘Poor you. What with that and the Pearl situation you must be totally stressed out.’
‘To be honest, I am. But I’ll get myself together.’
‘Well, the reason I was calling was that I got into rather a panic as I remembered you needed a shawl or a little bolero of some kind, and I wondered if I was too late… is the dinner tonight?’
‘No, it’s next Friday… Good Friday. I do need something, though, and I still haven’t got any shoes.’
‘What about coming over tomorrow to try this little jacket I’ve got? I think it will look really nice… it’s got a few sequins around the edge, with capped sleeves.’