Definitely Dead by Kate Bendelow (howl and other poems TXT) 📕

‘That’s good to hear. You’d be surprised the number of people who do this job thinking they can cope with the dead body side of things, then when it comes to the crunch, they just can’t hack it. If you can’t, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you attend a job that causes you issues, you need to speak out. Either to me, one of the others or force welfare.

‘You are responsible for your own well-being which includes your mental health. We all have that one job that messes us up a bit. If it happens to you, it’s essential you let someone know as there is help and support out there. You’ve come this far into your career; don’t risk it for the sake of asking for support if you ever need it.’

Maya was touched by Kym’s kindness. Even before moving to Beech Field, she had heard about Kym’s notoriety for being a tough boss who didn’t suffer fools. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that the senior SOCO had a compassionate side. Perhaps it was this that reminded Maya of that final moment in Gorman’s kitchen, when she had a fleeting trepidation that she had missed something.

‘There’s just one really small thing. Just after we’d bagged the body. I suddenly had a funny sensation. More of a worry really – a concern that we’d missed or overlooked something. Is that normal?’

Kym sat back and looked at Maya, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered her carefully from over the top of her glasses. Maya thought she looked like a stern, middle-aged librarian rather than a senior SOCO.

‘Anything happen to cause this notion?’

‘No. Like I said, it was just a… feeling.’ Maya was suddenly beginning to regret confiding to Kym’s softer side. The atmosphere had suddenly cooled, and Kym’s eyes were beginning to brew with that infamous, thunderous look.

‘You attended that scene with one of the most experienced SOCOs we have. Not only that but despite being known for being a bit of a bastard, Doctor Granger has been cutting up bodies since you were in nappies. Now you’re telling me that something that you can’t put your finger on gave you cause for concern. Did you mention this “feeling” to Chris or Doctor Granger at the time?’

‘Erm, no. I guess I just dismissed it as being first-body nerves. Probably just looking for something that wasn’t there.’ Maya back-pedalled frantically, trying to downplay the situation.

‘Quite. Just like assuming our dead body was a living, breathing pathologist. In this job, Maya, we stick with the facts. We work methodically and analytically and do not allow feelings or assumptions to cloud our judgement. Crime-scene investigation adopts scientific principles which we use to the letter and we don’t allow for unconscious bias.’

‘I appreciate that, Kym, it’s just that…’

Kym raised her hand to silence Maya. ‘If you’re interested in superstition, conspiracy theories or “feelings”, then read the online comments left by the readers of our local rag. Listen to the armchair investigators who constantly criticise us and the cops for not doing our jobs properly because their auntie’s dog allegedly knows more about the facts than we do. Then decide whether you want to make a success of your career or go along with the mentality of the local gossips and naysayers. Understood?’

To say that Maya was left to feel suitably chastened was an understatement. ‘Understood. Sorry, Kym.’

‘Right, let’s forget about it and move on.’ It was like flicking a switch as Kym’s terse demeanour suddenly seemed to soften again. ‘There’s a reason I’ve asked you in here but I’m afraid it’s quite a sensitive issue.’ She leaned conspiratorially towards Maya.

‘Erm, okay.’ Maya’s stomach lurched and she struggled to maintain her composure as a surge of panic rose up towards her throat. This was it – Kym must have found out about her.

‘I appreciate you’re on a rest day tomorrow but I’m a bit short-staffed and wondered if you would be willing to come in on overtime. It means an early start. I’d need you to be on duty and ready to go by 4am. The scene I need you to help examine is part of Operation Chrysalis.’

Maya nearly laughed out loud with relief. She hadn’t been found out after all and not only that, she was being offered the chance to work on a major scene. This was one of Beech Field’s highest priority operations, which as far as Maya knew, was focusing on a local, serious, organised crime gang ran by nominals, Aiden Donnelly and Piotr Nowak.

The targets of Chrysalis were suspected to be encroaching on smaller drug dealers and using their arsenal of firearms to monopolise the market. More recently a feud had started between Donnelly and Nowak and their rivals: the McCluskey brothers. David and Damian McCluskey were well known for drug dealing and robbery offences. Anything to do with Chrysalis tended to be highly confidential, hence the need for the closed-door meeting.

‘Count me in. Please. Yes. Absolutely. I’d really, really love too,’ Maya chattered excitedly, stupid with relief.

Kym eyed her curiously, not used to such an overkeen response. ‘Thank you. Right, the team are planning on executing a warrant at an address tomorrow morning. Once the arrest team have been in and the property and occupants are secured, they’ll confirm it’s safe for you to go in.

‘You’ll need to photograph and help package any items of interest which might include cash, clothing, drugs and any firearms. You don’t need me to remind you that if they do find a weapon then wait for the firearms unit to arrive and make it safe before you forensically recover it. We’re also going to be looking at proceeds of crime too, so take general photographs to record any items of affluence, such as jewellery, designer clothing, electric items, etc,’ she continued.

‘It’s a high value operation and there is some suggestion that this gang have been given tip-offs in the past, but we don’t know who from, so everything