However, as he walked into the briefing room that morning, something was different. The atmosphere was palpable, with rapid chatter pinging around the room. The Crown Court had authorised a search warrant on the property opposite the swimming pool, so everyone was excited that finally,finally, they might start making progress again. Oliver glanced around the room to find that there was no sign of the Inspector, LucasorBlake, which was never a good sign.
“Hey soldier,” Nancy said, noticeable bags under her eyes. Oliver gave a soft smile and poured her a cup of coffee.
“Morning.”
“Is it? Shit, these late nights are really throwing me off.”
Oliver chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ll be tucked up in bed with whats-her-face before you know it.”
The beta blushed, stifling a yawn. “Hannah.”
Oliver couldn’t help but grin, because it seemed he’d missed all the recent updates in the saga of Nancy and Special Branch officer Hannah Whitmore. When Nancy had alluded to having her eye on someone at the Cock & Bull, he had no idea that she’d been referring to the six foot two blonde bombshell alpha. Even he had to admit that Nancy’d done well for herself.
“She’s amazing,” the beta said, staring wistfully into her cup. “Such a talented tongue.”
Oliver let out a sharp breath. “Okay, Nance. I need to be considerably more drunk before entertaining this conversation.”
“Oh, come on, Ollie. I’m sure you’ve got some juicy tales of your own. After all, we all know you’re shacked up with the sergeant.” Then she winked at him, and Oliver waved a hand before clamping it across her mouth.
“Shut the fuck up, would you?”
“Wha—” Nancy said, pulling his hand away. “It’s true isn’t it? Police officers shagging each other isn’t exactly a new concept.”
Oliver flushed and kept his voice low. “Well…I…we…I may have accidentally called it off.”
Nancy scoffed. “What? Why?”
“Because I’m a twat.”
“Does he know that?”
“That I’m a twat? Most definitely.”
“No, you idiot. That you called it off.”
“Yes, obviously. He was there when I made a tit of myself.”
“You sure?”
“Yes Nance, what’re you?—“
“Then explain why he’s staring at you like a piece of prime cut beef,” she said, pointing from behind a stack of papers. He followed the direction of her finger, eyes falling on Lucas as he stood next to the door. And he was, for all intents and purposes, staring at him like a piece of prime cut beef. He raised a brow over one tired eye, and Oliver quickly glanced away.
“You see?” Nancy said, grinning into her mug.
“Oh piss off, it’s complicated.”
“Is it? Or areyoujust making it complicated, like you always do?”
Oliver scowled as he plucked two chocolate digestives from an open packet next to the kettle. He’d already consumed a full packet of Hobnobs and four slices of toast that morning—the comfort eating well and truly getting the better of him. He wanted to eat the granola Lucas made, but reasoned it’d be pretty fucking rude to eat something made by the man he’d unceremoniously dumped. So, biscuits and toast it would be for the foreseeable future.
“Right, you lot, listen in!” Blake called from the front of the briefing room. “The surveillance team has carried out initial checks and report multiple comings and goings from theproperty in Tintern-on-Wye. The purpose of today’s warrant is to get in, recover any known or suspected victims, record everyone present, seize any contraband, and make arrests where necessary. You don’t need me to tell you how to do your jobs. You’re all detectives, and you all know why we’re here. Questions?”
When no one raised a hand, Lucas stepped up. He looked exhausted, and Oliver’s gut twisted as he stared at the dark circles under his eyes. He wanted to go up to him, punch him in the ribs and tell him to get to bed.
“Distribution as follows,” he said, tone flat. “Myself, Henderson, Khan, Frankton, Williams, Heston, Davis, strike team. Clarke, Purslow, Wilkins, O’Neill, prisoner handling.” Then he read out a few more names before finally reaching Oliver. “Reed—” he said, glancing up, “Exhibits officer.”
Of course.Of fucking course Lucas was making him the contraband bitch.
