Barbara felt herself go red first, and then white. Barlow her new boss? She might as well quit right away. Winnie must have felt that something was wrong, and thankfully placed himself squarely in front of her. He was a true gentleman, he was...

Hillier stopped.

"Ah, well. Yes. This is our new Superintendent, Emily Barlow, and this is Sergeant Nkata. You already know Sergeant Havers, of course. "

Hillier paused. He was intent on getting as far up the ladder as he ever could. He would secretly have preferred Stewart, whom he was sure he could control. Butter in his hands. A puppet...

However the powers that be of the Met had preferred this young woman, new blood and all that. Hillier had gone over the reports from the "Incident" as he quietly called it many times. He was still convinced he'd been right to push for Havers' dismissal, but something kept nagging at him now.

He did not want a screw up. He wanted to be the next Commissioner, save one, and even a small hick up with this new Super would not fit his plans. He would wait for a little while, always offering his support and advice, but if she did not fit into his plans, then God help her. God help Havers, for that matter, if she crossed him or Barlow. Hillier could feel the usual thrill of the hunt pumping through his veins, he rarely felt that now that he rode a desk. This would be interesting.

Both Winnie and Barbara had gotten up.

Winnie extended his hand for Barlow to shake:

"Good morning, Ma'am, and welcome!"

He gave her his most innocent smile, the one that turned his entire face into a clown smile. It was genuine enough, but Barbara had seen him smile like that at suspects, and they All Fell For It. Good old Winnie. He was on her side. She'd protect him from Emily's more evil tendencies.

Barbara took the plunge and said quietly with as much dignity as she could muster:

"Good morning, Ma'am."

Barlow smiled at them. She hadn't been made Superintendent of the Met at a young age because she was daft. She was a highly intelligent woman, a skilled police officer, which was why it had been so difficult for Barbara to see her faults. All those little racist comments, her clay feet... Barbara dreaded the future.

Emily shook Winnie's hand first:

"Sergeant Nkata, pleased to meet you." Then she turned to Barbara.

The two women looked at each other. Barbara knew Emily could see she was nervous and frightened even, and could have kicked herself for it. Barlow's smile grew broader. This would not be so difficult after all. By the look of Barbara's face, Emily was sure she would have her right where she wanted her in no time. Her huge green eyes had grown shiny , from suppressed tears.

"Sergeant Havers."

Emily extended her hand, and Barbara had no choice but to take it. A firm, secure handshake. Darn it. Barbara felt like throwing up.

"I'd like for you to come and see me in my office, Sergeant, at 11 today, after the general introduction."

Warm timbre, confident voice. Not a request, an order.

Barbara nodded, she could do nothing less:

"Yes, Ma'am." Keep it monosyllabic, Barbara, she told herself. Abide by the rules. Be polite. One week, and then Lynley would be here, seven days. And maybe she would be safe, maybe.