As she spoke, Helen watched Mark closely, beadily alive to his reaction.
‘You’ve betrayed us, Mark. There’s no other way of saying it. You’ve betrayed me, the team, and the police force that made you what you are. Worse than that, you’ve betrayed the innocent men and women who’ve been murdered by this evil little -’
‘I don’t understand -’
‘I’ve spoken to Whittaker,’ Helen interrupted, ‘so there’s no point trying to lie your way out of it. We are about to begin an official procedure that will in all probability end in your expulsion from the police force. Your desk has been cleared, you won’t be allowed access to any restricted areas and I am required to retain your warrant card once this discussion is over.’
Mark stared at her.
‘You’ve seen others go through it, you know how nasty it can be. But you can make it easy on yourself, Mark. I don’t think you’re evil, I don’t think you’re rotten inside and I’m sure there must be reasons – good reasons – why you would do something so awful. If you are prepared to tell me those reasons fully and cooperate in every way I ask, then there is a deal to be done here. You don’t need to come out of this with nothing.’
A long silence, then:
‘Why here?’
Mark’s response took Helen by surprise. No passionate denial, just a move in the game. It was said with real bitterness, but there was something else going on here. What was his angle?
‘Why come here to tell me… this?’ The last word was spat out. A challenge. Helen eyed him up and then responded:
‘Because I want to hear it for myself before anyone else does. I want you to tell me why you did it, before you have to say it on tape. I want you to tell me.’
Her voice suddenly caught with emotion – her real sense of personal betrayal finally punching through. Mark just stared at her. He looked confounded, as if she were speaking Greek.
‘What do you think I’ve done, Helen?’ His tone was neutral, but it sounded mocking.
‘Don’t do this, Mark. Even now, you’re better than this.’
‘Tell me. Tell me what I’ve done.’
Helen’s face hardened as her anger returned. Why had she ever allowed this arrogant bastard to get close to her?
‘You gave Mickery our investigation. You sold us out.’
There – finally it was on the table.
‘And I want to know why.’
‘Fuck you.’
Helen smirked, though she didn’t really know why. A flash of anger from Mark and he was on his feet, as if he was going to come towards her. Helen flinched, but Mark had already turned away and now paced the room in silence. Helen had never considered that he might react violently, might be dangerous. How messed up was this guy? Perhaps she didn’t know him at all.