Chapter 18

Donna brings Elizabeth and Joyce into Interview Suite B after Elizabeth has apparently gained access by pretending to be a nun with a stolen bag. Joyce is delighted by the police interview room, while Elizabeth is calm and businesslike. Donna quickly challenges Elizabeth about the deception and asks why the two women are really there.

Elizabeth explains that she wants to talk to Donna, then presses past Donna’s impatience by observing that Donna is secretly pleased to see them. Elizabeth questions Donna about coming from south London and transferring from the Met to Fairhaven, then delivers a long, pointed assessment of Donna’s frustration: Donna is clever, underused, lonely, bored by petty local policing, and waiting for a real challenge.

Elizabeth turns the assessment into her real question: whether Donna would like to be involved in the Tony Curran murder investigation. Donna initially points out that a murder squad is already handling the case and that a uniformed constable cannot simply choose to join CID work. Elizabeth insists that she and the others can arrange it, possibly within an hour.

Once assured the conversation will stay private, Donna admits that she would very much like to chase murderers. Elizabeth presents the arrangement as a favour to a new friend, though she also makes clear that the Thursday Murder Club may have occasional questions about the investigation. Donna refuses to share confidential information improperly, and Elizabeth agrees to keep things professional.

Donna corrects part of Elizabeth’s confident profile, noting that Mark is gay rather than romantically interested in Donna; Joyce confirms that Elizabeth missed this obvious detail. Elizabeth gets Donna’s personal mobile number, and as they prepare to leave, Elizabeth says Ron and Ibrahim should already be arranging Donna’s involvement in the case. Joyce formally announces the end of the interview into the tape recorder.