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Oh…bugger.
    He turned to see the woman voted ‘most likely to inspire murder’ at last year’s Christmas party. In her stocking feet she would have been an unremarkable five foot four, in her power heels she was an unpleasant five foot seven. Her hair hung round her head in a no-nonsense pageboy cut, framing features that could be generously referred to as ‘lumpy’.
    ‘Ah, Director Smith-Hamilton. How nice to see you.’
    His boss beetled her neatly trimmed eyebrows. ‘What exactly are you doing, Mr Hunter?’
    ‘I…The…plants were looking a little dry. Probably the weather. Thought I’d give them a drink?’
    ‘Ah: that’s what I like to see! People thinking of their working environment as more than just a series of walls and windows. Very good.’ She placed a hand on his arm. ‘Studies have shown that plants have a positive effect on morale. And anything that improves morale, improves productivity.’ Director Smith-Hamilton gave his arm a squeeze. ‘But then, I don’t have to tell you that!’
    ‘Yes, well, if you’ll excuse me, I have to—’
    ‘Anyway, that’s not why I came to see you, William.’ She leaned in close, eyes sweeping up and down the corridor, voice dropping to a loud whisper. ‘I had a meeting with the Justice and Defence Ministry: they’re cutting the Bluecoat budget again . How those poor souls are supposed to maintain law and order with what they’ve got left is beyond me. So as part of a damage limitation exercise I have decided to launch an initiative!’ She beamed at him.
    Oh God, not another initiative—they still hadn’t finished clearing up after the last one.
    ‘Really?’ He did his best to sound positive.
    ‘The last thing we need is the rank and file resenting theNetwork because we get more funding than they do. We need their cooperation when we’re out in the field. Especially as we’re all going to have to work a lot more closely now. So my initiative,’ she said, ‘will be to get the Bluecoats onboard. Bring in a couple of the middle ranks to liaise and work cases with us. That way they stay in the picture, we make them feel valued, and they’ll be more inclined to cooperate.’
    Will was surprised: he tended to think of Smith-Hamilton as an unnecessary evil, but every now and again she proved that you didn’t get to be a Network Director by being a total mincehead. It really was a good idea, and he said so.
    ‘Knew you’d be onboard!’ She punched his shoulder again. ‘I’ve asked control to assign each of them an office on the premises: you know, share with an experienced Special Agent, get to know the ropes, that sort of thing.’ She stole a glance at the glowing numerals set into the skin of her wrist and tutted.
    ‘Oops, must dash. Got the First Minister waiting, and you know what a prima donna he is…’ She favoured Will with one last smile before marching off down the corridor.
    He shook the last drips of cold tea from his mug. Well, that could have gone a lot worse. It wasn’t as if—
    ‘Oh, Will.’ Director Smith-Hamilton popped her head back round the corner. ‘Before I forget: I’ve moved the ASD meeting up to three instead of four, scheduled you in for a case evaluation at two thirty and I believe the first of our Bluecoat liaison officers is already here: bright young woman, definitely going places. So if you could just nip down and sling her through induction that’d be super.’
    And then she was gone.
    He took it all back—she was a total mincehead after all.
    Will stomped back into his office, keying his throat-mike. ‘Control: the Director’s new Bluecoat liaison officer, where have you put her?’ The sooner he got the induction out of the way, the sooner he could get some real work done.
    There was a pause, then, ‘In with Special Agent Alexander, sir. Do you want me to put you through?’
    ‘No, thanks anyway.’ He killed the link and rode the lift down to the fourth floor.
    Agent Alexander’s tiny office