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…’
    ‘And?’ pushed Brady, already fearing the worst.
    Brady now understood why uniform had been stationed outside Madley’s nightclub and the reason the double glass doors into the premises had been sealed off with blue incident tape.
    Turner shook his head, still unable to look Brady in the eye.
    ‘She was found naked … whoever had left her there had …’ Turner faltered, not wanting to say.
    ‘What? What did they do to her?’ Brady hissed, clenching his fists hard, fearing the worst.
    ‘Someone took a knife to her stomach and sliced her open … and cut out her tongue.’
    ‘God no …’ He felt as if he was going to throw up. ‘Is she? Is she still …’ Brady couldn’t bring himself to ask the obvious question.
    ‘She’s in a critical condition, Jack. As far as I know she’s still in surgery.’
    Brady numbly nodded as he dragged a trembling hand through his hair. He was trying his hardest to keep his head together.
    ‘Why wasn’t I called in for this, Charlie?’ he eventually asked.
    Turner shook his head.
    ‘You know better than me,’ he reluctantly answered.
    ‘What do you mean?’ Brady asked as shock turned to desperation. ‘Surely Gates will need everyone he can get to work on this?’
    ‘I know, I know, bonnie lad,’ sympathetically agreed Turner.
    ‘Why would that stop Gates from letting me work on finding out who … who did this to her?’ Brady asked, already knowing the answer.
    ‘Even you can understand why Gates doesn’t want you involved. Especially now he’s got Claudia back working for the force again. She may not be a duty solicitor here any more, but she’s doing a fine job with that sex trafficking project of hers in Newcastle. A lot of really good PR’s coming out of that for Northumbria Police and that’s down to her,’ explained Turner gently.
    Brady said nothing.
    Turner shook his head. ‘Come on, Jack. You know Gates was furious with you when she suddenly left for London. And then the next thing, there was Simone requesting an immediate transfer out of here. I’m surprised you didn’t end up in uniform.’
    Brady knew that Gates had a soft spot for Claudia. Who didn’t? When Claudia suddenly quit the North East, Gates had found it difficult to replace her. She was damned good at her job and sorely missed by everyone; including Brady.
    ‘You’ve got too much invested, Jack. Sooner or later it clouds the judgement.’
    ‘Gates? Where is he?’ demanded Brady.
    ‘He’s in the first-floor conference room. It’s set up as an Incident Room. You should still find him there,’ Turner replied. ‘But if I was you I’d stay out of the way for now. Let him deal with the briefing on Simone’s attempted murder and then talk to him afterwards. The last person they’re going to want walking into that room is you.’
    Brady ignored Turner and started to make his way to the first floor.
    ‘Jack?’ Turner called after him. ‘Watch yourself, will you? Gates is out to crucify someone and, given your track record with him lately, you want to make sure it’s not you.’
    ‘Thanks,’ muttered Brady. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
    Brady suddenly halted and turned back. ‘Charlie?’
    Turner looked at him.
    ‘Who’s heading the investigation? Into Simone?’
    Brady knew the answer from his silence.
    ‘Adamson?’
    Turner nodded. Brady had expected as much.
    ‘Jack? Don’t do anything stupid,’ warned Turner.
    In all the years he had known Brady, Turner had never seen him react to news this way. Then again, he couldn’t blame him. This was personal to Brady: he had worked closely – too closely some would say – with DC Simone Henderson. And that’s what was troubling Turner.
    Brady forced himself to meet Turner’s concerned gaze.
    ‘Like what?’ he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
    Turner resignedly shook his head. ‘I don’t know, bonnie lad. But that’s what worries me.’

Chapter Seven
     
    Brady took a deep breath before entering