The Sixth Estate (The Craig Crime Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

this afternoon and come up to Derry tomorrow morning with Annette? Liam and I are here on a new case.”
    Davy just had time to stammer “Y…Yes” before Craig asked to be transferred back to Nicky. He got in the first word.
    “Nicky, Joanne Greer’s appealing her verdict and we need to submit a report. I want Jake and Carmen to read all the files, but remember Jake’s working flexitime.”
    Jake’s grandfather, the man who’d raised him since he was five, had terminal cancer. The sergeant was helping his grandmother nurse him so he made up his hours as and when.
    “Ken too when he gets back. Annette and Davy are joining Liam and me in Derry tomorrow, meanwhile Davy’s working from home for the rest of the afternoon.”
    He paused, waiting for the onslaught, but all that came from Nicky was a squeak. He pushed his good luck.
    “And leave Davy alone, please. I’m trying to persuade him not to leave and that won’t work if you give him so much grief that you drive him away. I’ve got things under control, so leave the lad in peace.”
    With that he hung up, knowing that his few days in the doghouse had just extended to at least a week.
     

Ch apter Three
     
    In the time it took Craig and Liam to ascend the three flights to Julia’s office, she’d been alerted to their presence and had the kettle on and a tray of biscuits set out. She was as nervous as she knew Craig had been on the phone the day before, but it was time to play the gracious hostess now.
    Craig had taken the stairs two at a time but now he trailed along the narrow, windowed corridor behind Liam, his nervousness growing with each pace. He wasn’t sure why; after all, the awkward greetings had been covered yesterday. Then he realised what it was; at some point Julia would ask if he was seeing anyone and he would have to tell the truth; there was no way he would deny Katy’s existence. That was when things could get tense. Even if someone didn’t want their ex anymore many people were still happier when said ex remained alone.
    It was an atypical moment of arrogance on his part and as soon as he entered Julia’s once austere office he knew that he’d been wrong. Instead of the familiar wooden floor and ancient blinds, there was a bright blue carpet, white walls and curtains, pulled back to allow the winter sunshine in. It wasn’t the office of someone sad.
    As Julia turned from the kettle she’d been boiling Craig’s heart sank. She was dressed for a Sunday, in a pair of tight jeans and a sky-blue blouse that matched her eyes, with her red curls rambling unsubdued down her back. She looked stunning.
    Liam’s eyes darted from one ex to another and he saw the pallor beneath Craig’s Latin tan. Fair enough, they had only broken up because of geography, not a lack of love. But what Liam saw when he looked at Julia was the exact opposite – a relaxed, confident woman. One glance at her left hand told him why. He signalled Craig frantically with his eyes but the attempt was wasted; Craig was too stressed to see anything smaller than a truck. So Liam did what any mate would do in such circumstances and what he realised he’d actually been brought along for; he ran interference. With one stride he crossed the floor; his right hand angled deliberately to shake Julia’s left.
    “D.I. McNulty. Nice to see you again.”
    As they shook, Liam turned Julia’s left hand upwards so that not even Craig’s panic could blind him to the large diamond ring glinting there. Craig saw it and as quickly as he realised its significance he relaxed. He’d been worried about hurting Julia’s feelings but the engagement ring made it clear that there were no feelings left to hurt. He smiled genuinely for the first time since she’d phoned the day before and crossed the room to say hello, as Julia stared down, confused, at Liam’s still present grip.
    “Hello, Julia. How are you?”
    Liam released her hand, confident that Craig had seen what he needed to see,