Kicking herself for her callousness, she pulled the car over and got out. Was this a good idea? Probably not, but she wanted to be able to sleep tonight and the only way to silence her conscience was to check on Mark. No one else from the force would, that’s for sure.
What had she been hoping for? That he would be bearing up surprisingly well? He was a mess – he stunk of sweat and booze.
‘Do you believe her?’
The blunt question took Charlie by surprise.
‘Believe who?’
‘Her. Do you think I sold you out?’
There was a long silence. There was the official answer and the true answer. In the end, the latter won out.
‘No.’
Mark exhaled loudly as if he’d actually been holding his breath. He looked down at the floor to hide his emotion.
‘Thank you,’ he muttered without looking up, but his voice betrayed the strength of his feelings. Instinctively, Charlie went over to him. Seated next to him, she put her arm round him. He leaned into her, glad of the support.
‘The sad thing is I thought I was falling in love with her.’
Wow. Charlie hadn’t seen that one coming.
‘Did you…?’
Mark nodded.
‘And, stupid fool that I am, I thought it could be something good. And now this…’
‘Perhaps she didn’t have a choice. Perhaps she genuinely thought…’
Charlie hesitated. There was no nice way to finish that sentence. The accusation of corruption is the worst thing you can throw at a copper.
‘I can guess what they’re saying about this at the station. But I am innocent, Charlie. I didn’t do anything wrong. And I want back in. I really badly want back in… So… if there’s anything you can do… any way you can influence her and get her to stop this…’
Mark petered out. Charlie couldn’t think of what to say. They both knew there was no way back now. Even if he were exonerated, who would take him on given his history of false starts and problems? In an era when no one was hiring, you didn’t take bets on potential, especially if there was a hint of unreliability or dishonesty. What could Charlie say that was conciliatory but true?
‘You’ll get through it, Mark. I know you will.’
She wasn’t sure she believed it. And she wasn’t sure Mark believed it either.
She left his flat, promising to pop round again shortly. Mark didn’t really acknowledge her departure, descending once more into self-absorption.
As she drove home, Charlie was full of doubts. Mark wasn’t the type to do anything stupid, was he? She thought not, but who could tell? He was obviously devastated. No wife or kid at home, no job to go to, a tendency to drink… Suddenly all these thoughts crowded in on Charlie. Her head ached, her stomach was churning. A wave of nausea hit her, so she swung the car into a lay-by, just about opening the door in time to vomit her lunch on to the tarmac. She retched heavily once, twice, then it was over.