Free Ash & Bone by John Harvey

the facilities of the National Crime Intelligence Service. Karen, finally, was introduced as one of the officers who were, as he put it, dealing with the minute-by-minute, the day-to-day, the real nitty-gritty. No one, least of all Karen, had warned him that, because of its possible links to slavery, it might no longer be politically correct to say nitty-gritty.
    The first question was hurled almost before Harkin had finished speaking: was it true that Maddy Birch had been sexually assaulted prior to her death?
    'Until the post-mortem has been carried out by the Home Office pathologist,' he said, 'any such assumptions are purely speculation.' It was an answer guaranteed to increase such speculation tenfold.
    Numerous questions followed about the exact nature of the attack, most of which were either deflected or referred back to the initial statement.
    'Given the similarity of circumstances,' asked the reporter from CNN, 'do the police think there is a connection between this murder and that of the woman killed while out jogging in Hackney in February?'
    They'd been expecting that one.
    'Be assured,' Harkin responded, 'there will be the closest contact with officers conducting that investigation.'
    He did think, then, there was a connection?
    'As I say, we are exploring that avenue alongside several others.'
    'Nobody has yet been charged with the Victoria Park murder, is that correct?'
    That was correct.
    'And all three men arrested in connection with the murder have since been released?'
    That was so.
    Harkin sighed. 'If we could concentrate our attentions on the tragic death of Detective Sergeant Birch…'
    But the crime correspondent of the
Guardian
was already on his feet. 'The assistant commissioner alluded to the police operation in which Detective Sergeant Birch was involved, and which resulted in the death of a fellow officer and the fatal shooting by the police of William Grant - I wonder, can he tell us what progress is being made in the inquiry into those events presently being carried out by the Hertfordshire Force?'
    'I'm afraid I don't see that has any relevance here.'
    'But the inquiry is still ongoing?'
    'You have my answer.' Harkin's face was set in stone.
    'I think,' the Public Relations officer began, 'if there are no further questions…'
    'I have a question for Detective Chief Inspector Shields.' Eyes turned towards the Home Affairs correspondent from the BBC. 'As a woman officer, does this case have a special resonance for you?'
    Fuck, Karen said inside her head.
    Twenty cameras flashed in her direction.
    'As a police officer,' Karen said, 'all cases of this seriousness, especially where the deaths of fellow officers are involved, resonate equally.'
    Off to one side, the PR officer nearly wet himself with joy.
    'Gentlemen,' said Assistant Commissioner Harkin, rising to his feet. 'Ladies. Thank you for your time.'

    * * *

    Seeing Karen Shields approach across the car park in his rear-view mirror, Denison turned the key in the ignition.
    'How did it go, ma'am?'
    Karen slammed the car door closed. 'Stop ma'aming me and drive the fucking car.'
    Not too well, then, Denison thought.
    Karen buckled herself in and stared straight ahead. Hendon to Kentish Town, half an hour if they were lucky, three-quarters if not.
    Vanessa's commanding officer was waiting for them in reception. 'PC Taylor's in my office. You can talk to her there.'
    'Thank you.'
    Vanessa jumped to her feet when the door opened. She was wearing her police uniform, the top button of her tunic fastened tight at her neck; there was a slight but unmistakable smell of perspiration in the room.
    Awkwardly, Vanessa held out her hand and then, before Karen could respond, let it fall by her side.
    Sitting, Karen introduced Denison and herself.
    'Maddy Birch,' Karen said, 'you knew her. You've got some information, I believe.'
    'Yes. As soon as I heard what had happened — I'm sorry, I still can't believe it — as soon as I heard, I went to my inspector