Reprobates (29 page)

Penny had been bailed for six weeks. In interview she admitted taking documents from the police station for Richard Bryant who she said was curious about what the police had on him, and some of his friends. It was, she thought a way of her finding out more about the new man in her life and,
‘The bottom line, boss,’ Vicky said ‘is that she would do just about anything for him.’

HQ had immediately suspended her and she would receive written notice terminating her employment.

Dylan was livid. Penny had been conned by a charmer maybe, but that was no excuse in his book for betraying a friend. He was glad she was away from the cells when Jane Simpson arrived. Although, a confrontation between the two women may have proved interesting.

The timing and production of the three prisoners had to be right. Their respective names and cell numbers, along with time and date would be charted on an A1 size board immediately behind the custody desk so that on their arrival, albeit at different times, they would see that their associates were also present in the cell block. In large letters written in red ink he had instructed it to also read,
‘NO CONTACT’ – that should grab their attention. Jane Simpson would be obviously detained in the female block that ran parallel with the male cells separated by a secure door. Cell area staff would be briefed in detail about further planned interviews and what else was to take place on the relevant date, which would be as early as physically possible.

Paperwork, continuous telephone calls, meetings and the seeking of relevant authorisation meant the Incident Room remained a hive of industry twenty-four/seven. The week passed quickly and at last the day arrived for the operation to take place. The Forensic laboratory and Fingerprints updated the Incident Room as to the position of outstanding exhibits and marks. Dylan wanted to have up-to-date information available and ready to use at the tips of his fingers.

‘Vicky, Paul, are you sure we have the latest from the lab, fingerprints, phones, computers etcetera?’ he asked on entering the office that morning.

‘Yes, boss.
’

‘
Everybody knows what they are doing?’

‘Yes, boss.
’

***

Dylan was doing a lot of pacing around his office, the investigation was gathering momentum. He wanted to know more about this group, if they were part of a larger network, or simply local reprobates and like-minded people seeking each other out?

His telephone rang,
‘DI Dylan,’ he said.

‘It
’s Janet the Chief Superintendent’s secretary. He’s asked me to see if you are attending the meeting that is about to start in his office, regarding the scrum down for sergeants who have applied for promotion this time around?’

‘It
’s now is it, Janet? I’ll have to get myself a secretary.’ Janet could hear his smile in his voice.

‘Yes, it
’s now, Dylan. I did send out a message earlier, after it was decided at the morning meeting.’

‘
Tell him I’ve been delayed momentarily due to operational work and I’m hot-footing it up to the top floor right now.’ Of all the bloody days to have this meeting. Why Hugo-Watkins had chosen today, God only knew.

He let the Incident Room staff know where he was going should there be anything urgent needing his attention before taking the stairs to the upper floor. He strode out along the corridor and turned into the door marked: Chief Superintendent
Hugo-Watkins.

‘
They’re all inside, Inspector, waiting for you,’ Janet said. Dylan pulled a face at her.

‘And, Jack,
’ she said ‘something to look forward to. There are some of your favourite chocolate cookies inside, on a plate for you,’ she said with a little smile.

‘You
’re an angel,’ Dylan said with a wink as he opened the door and walked in the Chief Superintendent’s office.

‘Ah, he
’s here,’ said Hugo-Watkins. ‘Morning, Dylan, I know you’re busy, we all are, but it’s essential we put the right candidates forward. We have four applicants but HQ have asked each Division to limit their support of nominations to their top two, hence this urgent meeting.

Inspector Justin Gaskin was present and Dylan noticed he couldn
’t have been more laid-back in his chair if he had been on a sun lounger. A whole chocolate cookie was going in his mouth and he had another in his hand. Dylan snarled. The plate was empty, albeit for a couple of custard creams. Dylan knew Gaskin wouldn’t be doing Vicky any favours after she stopped him entering the Simpson murder scene. Human Resources were represented by Officer Hilary Carter. Hilary was prim and proper with what Dylan called a basin haircut. An attractive slim woman in her fifties she had eventually found her police vocation in her present role. Front line policing was not the strongest part of her skill-base, but nevertheless she was straight talking and he liked her. Inspector Carter saw some good in everyone and he knew she would ensure there was fairness within this procedure as with anything else she was involved in. So this was where the paper sift would start? Dylan had hardly had time to sit down before Justin Gaskin spoke out in his booming loud voice. ‘This shouldn’t take long,’ he said, pulling himself into an upright position and picking up his cup of coffee from the table. ‘There is only one candidate for me and that’s Graham Thornton. Eddie Thornton’s lad. He’s a graduate entry, big lad, he’ll be an Acting Chief Constable one day, just like his father, mark my words.’

‘Let
’s not be too hasty, Justin, we are here to consider all four candidates with an open mind. Perhaps I should read out their applications,’ said Hugo-Watkins. Hugo played with the handle of his best china cup.

‘
That would be most helpful, sir, as I perhaps am the only one among us, who is aware of only one of the applicants,’ said Dylan.

‘
My apologies, Jack. They are Graham Thornton, uniform patrol on Justin’s shift. Victoria Hardacre, your acting sergeant,’ said Hugo-Watkins. He took a moment to look over his half-rimmed glasses at Dylan, Dylan nodded. ‘David Baxter, uniform patrol who’s represented by Hilary as his shift Inspector is on nights. She has already liaised with his Inspector Mark Baggs. Last, but not least is Kay Smart, who is currently working with HQ Community Liaison on attachment. I’ve personally spoken to her immediate supervisor.’

Hugo-Watkins commenced reading the applications out one by one. The office was warm and although they had been provided with refreshments before Dylan had arrived Dylan could hear Justin Gaskins fat stomach rumbling. Once or twice Dylan saw the Inspector
’s eyes close and his head fell but on reaching the conclusion, Inspector Gaskin couldn’t contain himself. He sat upright and leaned towards the table with a loud belch. ‘I told you. Thornton’s the man for the job and I give my other vote to that smarty pants from HQ. Easy as that,’ he said clapping his hands together.

Chief Superintendent Hugo-Watkins
’ response was a quietly spoken one in comparison and his feedback on each one was laboured and typically non-committal. He stroked his dyed moustache that was groomed to perfection as always. Dylan concentrated on the walnut panels on the walls in Hugo-Watkins’ office and his expensive looking paintings. He poured himself a glass of water from the jug that was stood on the coffee table in-between the two leather sofas and waited patiently for his views to be sought. ‘Inspector Gaskin, having given careful consideration to all four candidates I do see that Graham Thornton’s application reads well,’ he said running his fingers through his short dark Grecian 2000 dyed hair, ‘but so does Vicky Hardacre’s.’

Dylan was intentionally remaining quiet. He wanted to hear what Hilary had to say.

‘I think we should look beneath the applications, we are not stupid. No doubt all candidates will have had some assistance in penning them,’ she said. ‘And that might not be what we can call equal opps.’ She put her cup she had been nursing on her lap down on the coffee table. ‘Who is more suited to the role, and perhaps more to the point, who will make the best supervisor?’

Before she finished Justin jumped back in
. ‘I’ve just told you,’ he said grabbing the last of the biscuits. At least if his mouth was full it would keep him quiet, thought Dylan.

‘
If you let me finish. David Baxter and Victoria Hardacre have both been selected to act in the role of Sergeant already. David some months ago for a short time, and Victoria I understand is acting up at this moment isn’t she, Dylan?’ Dylan nodded. ‘I have heard nothing but glowing reports about how these two officers have embraced the supervisory roles and in Vicky Hardacre’s case she definitely seems to be blossoming into her new position according to what you were telling me earlier Mr Hugo-Watkins.’ She went on to read out comments from other supervisors about the candidates she had mentioned. It was more than obvious that Hilary had done her homework.

‘
That’s a very good point about the officers who are ‘acting up’,’ Hugo-Watkins said. Dylan smiled inwardly, he was having to do very little for his officer.

‘
Yeah, but Graham Thornton would do us a sterling job. He just hasn’t had a chance to prove himself yet.’ Justin was once more beating his own officer’s drum, very loudly. Dylan leaned forward and topped up everyone’s coffee cups.

‘
Whose fault is that, Justin? Maybe if you’d have let him act up?’ Hugo-Watkins said wagging a finger in the air. ‘Jack, you haven’t made a comment yet. Not like you to not voice your opinion,’ said Hugo- Watkins. ‘What do you think?’

‘
I was just listening to everyone else make comment. The successful candidate will be initially at least, a front line patrol supervisor and that may not be at our Division, but they will be representatives of Harrowfield wherever they are.’

‘
Yeah, big strong lads is what we need like Thorny,’ Inspector Gaskin said baring a fist and speaking in a deep gruff voice.

‘I
’ll ignore that sexist remark this once.’ Hilary turned and rounded on him. Justin Gaskin screwed up his nose.

Dylan continued.
‘Whilst we perhaps have our own personal favourites, having closely worked alongside them. I feel that experience is absolutely essential to a supervisory role and we have two officers who have proven their ability. Although they have both only worked a short time in the role I think it says a lot to say we selected them and headquarters have approved it. I, like Hilary have heard nothing but positive feedback about the two officers she talks about from their supervisors and work colleagues. Therefore I am inclined to agree with Hilary, for me David Baxter and Victoria Hardacre are our strongest candidates, based on operational experience. Good leadership skills are essential to take on this supervisory role.’ Hugo-Watkins’ body language especially his head movement told Dylan he was agreeing with his comments.

‘
So, what you’re saying is that because Graham Thornton hasn’t acted up yet he doesn’t get our support?’

‘
Justin, that’s not what I’m saying. The two officers we are speaking about like I said have been selected at Divisional level to work in a supervisory role already. I am sure they were chosen because of their ability and experience and the decision to allow them to be acting Sergeants has been endorsed fully by HQ in letting them act up. We cannot simply ignore that.’

‘
Thornton is a far better officer than that woman detective of yours will ever be, in my opinion,’ he said.

Dylan smiled inwardly.
‘Is that so.’ Gaskin was showing his true colours. Hilary gave him a warning glance before focusing her stare at Hugo-Watkins.

‘
Do you not like her because she’s a woman or because she stood her ground when you tried to bully your way into the Simpson murder crime scene she was protecting for me. I believe she refused you entry, didn’t she?’ Dylan said.

‘
Huh... I was the duty Inspector on that shift and I needed to see what we were dealing with.’

‘
Really? We all know it’s both fundamental and imperative to keep a scene sterile, so she was doing a job as a supervisor and doing it well in my view to stop someone as bullish as you from contaminating that scene,’ Dylan said.

‘
Well, it looks like you’ve already made up your minds,’ Gaskin said slapping his thighs.

‘
Yes, it appears we have,’ said Hugo-Watkins. ‘Thank you all for your time. It is my decision that we support Police Constable David Baxter and Detective Constable Victoria Hardacre as our candidates for the next round of the Sergeant’s boards.’

Dylan and Hilary nodded. Justin Gaskin shrugged his shoulders.
‘Waste of time,’ he muttered as he walked out of the office throwing his hands in the air at a startled Janet.

‘
Dylan, could you just give me a moment please?’ asked Chief Superintendent Hugo-Watkins.

Hilary shook the men
’s hands and left.

‘
Sit down, Jack. I know now is not perhaps the right time to discuss your promotion application, as I know how busy you are today but will you give Janet some dates when you can make yourself available to me. You are serious about this, aren’t you?’ he asked, looking straight into Dylan’s clear blue eyes.