Dying in the Dark by Sally Spencer

can’t do that.’
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜Firstly, because it would be damaging to the Rainsford case to change senior officers at this stage in the proceedings. And secondly – and possibly more importantly – because you lack the objectivity to take over the Rutter investigation.’
    â€˜Bollocks!’
    â€˜It is far from bollocks, as you choose to put it. I’ve commented before on the fact that you seem to develop an unhealthily close relationship with the officers you have working under you, and—’
    â€˜We operate as a tight team. That’s how we get cases solved,’ Woodend interrupted.
    â€˜â€¦ and, as a result of that, I would be most unwilling to have you investigate one of your own direct subordinates.’
    â€˜I don’t see what you’re gettin’ at.’
    â€˜Then to be blunt, Chief Inspector, I think your main aim, if you were in charge of the Maria Rutter investigation, would be to prove that her husband
could not
be the guilty party.’
    â€˜Are you sayin’ that if I was given the opportunity, I’d doctor the evidence?’ Woodend demanded.
    â€˜I’m saying you might not be objective enough to see all the facts in their proper light.’
    â€˜An’ DCI Evans is?’
    â€˜Exactly.’
    â€˜I want the case,’ Woodend said.
    â€˜And I’m telling you that you can’t have it.’ Marlowe gave a practised frown. ‘In fact, I’m no longer sure that you’re currently stable enough to handle even the Rainsford case. Perhaps you should consider taking some leave. I certainly wouldn’t block that.’
    It was a tempting idea, Woodend thought. Being on leave would give him the free time he needed to investigate Maria’s murder privately. But it would also deny him access to the resources of police headquarters – and cut him off completely from whatever snippets of information he could pick up on the case from talk in the canteen and in the corridors.
    â€˜I’m quite prepared to continue working on the Rainsford investigation, sir,’ he said.
    â€˜Whereas, I’m no longer sure that it’s—’
    â€˜As you pointed out yourself, it might damage the investigation to change the senior officer in charge now.’
    Marlowe pretended to think about it. ‘You do realize that I will expect you to keep yourself completely detached from the Rutter investigation, don’t you, Chief Inspector?’ he said.
    â€˜Yes, sir,’ Woodend agreed, but he was thinking: You can
expect
what you like. It doesn’t mean you’ll
get
it.
    â€˜And that failure to remain detached would have to be considered a very serious infraction of discipline?’
    â€˜Yes, sir,’ Woodend replied, adding silently: But you’ll have to catch me at it, first.
    â€˜And that such a
serious
infraction would almost certainly be considered a resigning matter?’
    â€˜Understood.’
    â€˜I shall require a definite undertaking from you that you feel capable of handling the Rainsford case while keeping yourself completely away from the Rutter case.’
    â€˜You’ve got it.’
    â€˜In writing, Chief Inspector. I shall need it
in writing
.’
    â€˜It’ll be on your desk within half an hour.’
    â€˜Very well, Chief Inspector,’ Marlowe said gravely. ‘Given that proviso, you may keep the Rainsford case.’
    â€˜Thank you, sir,’ Woodend said, forcing the words out – and hoping they didn’t bring his stomach lining with them.
    Once the Chief Inspector had left, Marlowe allowed the smile to creep back on to his face.
    Woodend had not only offered himself up as the sacrificial goat, he thought – the bloody fool had even offered to pull his own entrails out.
    As Woodend was walking slowly down the steps to the basement, he could feel the air of despondency from the officers working on the Pamela Rainsford