by M A Comley
“Hi, DCI Green is expecting me,” Sally said to Green’s petite secretary, Helen.
“Hello, Inspector. Go right in. They’re waiting for you.”
Sally gulped a large breath. “That sounds ominous.”
Helen gave her a half-smile. “You’ll be fine. Go through.”
Sally kicked out each leg, trying to boost her circulation before she knocked lightly on the door and poked her head into the room.
“Hello, sirs. You wanted to see me?”
It was obvious she had disrupted their conversation, which made her feel a hundred times worse.
“Ah, there you are, Inspector Parker. Well, come in,” DCI Green ordered, remaining seated behind his desk. “You remember Chief Constable Stockard, don’t you?”
The chief constable leapt out of his seat and crossed the room to greet her with an outstretched hand and the broadest of grins. “So nice to see you again, Inspector. Join us, please.” She noticed his carrot-coloured hair first and wondered if he had a fiery temper to match.
“The pleasure is all mine, sir.” She studied the man’s green eyes, searching for some kind of insight as to why she’d been summoned. She found nothing but reassurance within their depths. The pair of them walked towards the DCI’s desk and sat down. Sally tried to read the DCI, but even after working under him for five years or more, she found him a hard man to judge.
“There’s no need for you to look so terrified, Inspector,” Green said, reclining in his chair a little.
“There isn’t, sir?”
The chief constable swivelled ninety degrees in his seat, his knees barely four inches from her left leg. “Let me explain, Mike. Do you mind if I call you Sally? Can’t stand all this pomp and formality in my presence.”
Sally smiled and nodded, appreciating the way he was trying to put her at ease. “Not at all, sir.”
“Good. Then I’ll begin. We’ve been watching you over the past few months.”
When the chief constable paused, she didn’t know whether to reply or to keep quiet. Luckily, he broke the silence before the situation became awkward and continued his explanation.
He beamed, reminiscent of a small child full of expectation on Christmas morning. “I like what you do, Sally, or should I say we like what you do? You’re exceptional in your role. That last big case you solved—the one regarding the death of the serving police officer’s wife—that was just sublime. Not only that, but the other cases you’ve solved over the past year or two have also been superb. I seem to recall that you even had to work alongside another force on one of those cases?”
“Yes, sir. It was an absolute pleasure working alongside Lorne Warner from the Met in London, though, sir. She’s a dear friend of mine and has taught me so much over the years. It’s always difficult taking on the role of an inspector and being a female, to boot. Her guidance has been invaluable to me.”
“Nonsense, you’re doing yourself an injustice. You’re a very strong woman, especially since that debacle with that warped husband of yours. I’m going to quickly pass over that. I just wanted you to know that I’m aware of that particular period in your life. My admiration for you exploded when you dug deep into your resolve and came out on top. To display such character the way you did when you went on to arrest the bast… brute, well, I have to applaud your tenacity on that front.”
Sally had very little control of the tears misting her eyes during his speech. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”
“Okay, I digress. As I was saying, we’ve kept a close eye on you for a while. I’ve been asking Mike to report back to me every time you’ve solved one of your tougher cases. You’re tenacious and never give up. I wish the rest of my force had half the drive and determination you have. We’d be at the top of the chart for arrests in the whole of the UK. I’m waffling, I know. Have patience with me. I’m rarely placed in such a position, and I feel it’s just as important to praise someone’s excellent policing skills as it is to tear an officer off for cocking up, shall we say.”
“Thank you, sir. Your words of praise mean a great deal to me,” Sally said, not letting the opportunity to have a dig at Green slip by.
“Credit where it’s due—that’s my motto. Anyway, Mike and I have been discussing you at great length over the past few months. An opportunity has arisen that stems from the last case you solved, the cold-case. You’re aware—of course you are—you’re the one who discovered the fact that the leading investigator on that case failed miserably to carry out his duties correctly. You’re also aware that the same officer arrested and convicted over a hundred criminals in his time with this force. The powers that be have decided that those convictions need to be scrutinised and dealt with appropriately. In other words, we’d like you to head up a new cold-case team.” His eyes lit up with excitement as he awaited her response.
Sally’s gaze darted between DCI Green and the chief constable. “You’ve caught me off-guard, sir. I just don’t know what to say.”
“It’s simple. One word. Yes. It needn’t be a permanent role. We’re probably talking maximum of a year or slightly more than that, at the end of which, you would return to the post you have now.”
“But who will take over the role I have now, sir?”
“No one. This is the only area in the country where it appears the crime rate is actually decreasing. You know how these things work, Sally—the ones dealing with statistics at head office will probably suggest job cuts in this area pretty soon anyway. Look at it this way: all you’ll be doing is safeguarding your future.”
“Okay, sir. In that case, what about my team? After all, I’m nothing without them. They do most of the legwork for me. They’re the ones who have succeeded in making me look good in your eyes.”
“I don’t believe that for an instant, Sally. Mike and I have discussed this at length, and we’re not averse to you remaining with the team in this new capacity. Do you think your fellow colleagues would be willing to go along with this opportunity?”
“We’re a solid team, sir. I’m sure they’d jump at the chance to correct any unjust convictions, in light of them possibly losing their jobs if they don’t agree. Can I have a word with the team before I accept the role on behalf of everyone else?”
“Of course you can, with these words of endorsement ringing in your ear, Sally. There is no one out there better suited to this valuable role than you. No one that DCI Green and I could trust to investigate these crimes as thoroughly as you and your team. There’s no I in team, as I understand. Can you give us an answer by the end of the week?”
“How about by the end of the day, sir? DCI Green is aware of how incensed I was when I uncovered the truth of how Falkirk’s policing skills—or lack of them, should I say—had convicted so many people. It grieves me to think that some of those people who protested their innocence might have been subjected to up to fifteen years in prison. That breaks my heart in two. I’ve never knowingly convicted any criminal if there has been an ounce of doubt about their conviction.”
“I understand entirely. Which is why Mike and I feel you’re the right person to take on this challenge. The sooner we get your decision, the better, so the end of the day would be just perfect. But please, the last thing I want you to feel is that you have to take on this new role. DCI Green and I will fight tooth and nail to keep you and your team in jobs, should my premonition become a reality in the future.”
“I appreciate that, sir. I truly do. Will that be all?”
“For now. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.”
“It was an honour, sir. Shall I give the result of my consideration to DCI Green?”
“Yes, do that, then Mike can ring me straight away. Think long and hard, Inspector. You’ll have our backing either way.”
“That’s reassuring to hear, sir.” Sally stood up, extended her hand, and smiled as the chief constable also rose to his feet and walked her to the door.
“Goodbye, Sal
ly.”
Sally walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the wall and expelled a large breath.
“That bad, eh?” Helen asked, amused.
“No, not really. I think I worked myself up into a state before I got in there. Thought they were going to sack me.”
“Never! Not you, Inspector!”
Sally pushed away from the wall and crossed the room. “I’m glad so many people have such confidence in my abilities. Wish I felt the same way. See you later.”
She felt like kicking her heels together in the air like the comedian Eric Morecombe used to do in some of his sketches with Ernie Wise, but reconsidered when she pictured herself lying in a twisted heap on the floor if the stunt went wrong. Sally returned to the incident room. When she pushed open the door, a sea of concerned faces turned to look at her. It was then that she decided to wind her colleagues up. She stormed past them and began banging the drawers to her filing cabinet. Before long, Jack appeared in the doorway.
He cleared his throat. “Everything all right, boss?”
“Do I look all right, Jack?”
He shrank back. “Sorry I asked.”
Sally burst into laughter. It really wasn’t in her to mess with her team’s heads. “I’m joking. Call the team together and get me a coffee, will you?”
Jack tutted and left the room. She heard him cussing her just before he shouted to the team.
Sally picked up the phone and dialled a number. “Hi, is Simon available?”
“He’s not. Sorry, he’s just started a PM,” one of the female lab assistants at the mortuary replied.
“Never mind. I’ll call back later. If you could, tell him Sally called, thanks.”
“I’ll do that for you.”
Sally hung up and stepped over to gaze out the window at the car park. There were no real views to see in this part of Norfolk. The area was as flat as a punctured tyre. But her love for the area never wavered. She was disappointed she wouldn’t be able to share the exciting news with her fiancé before the rest of the team. Never mind, a few hours aren’t going to make that much difference. She sighed. There had been a time when her parents would have been her first port of call; now it was Simon who dominated her thoughts. But isn’t that the way it should be?
She would ring Simon first then call her parents after. She knew exactly how her mum and dad were going to react. They had always been so proud of her achievements—from the first day she’d marched through the gates of the police training college at Hendon, in fact.
Smiling, Sally walked back into the incident room to find the team gathered around the whiteboard. She walked towards the board, pulled out a nearby chair, and took a sip of coffee from the paper cup Jack had placed on the desk.
“As you know, I’ve just had a meeting with the DCI and the chief constable. I was a tad nervous, and Jack will attest to that. However, I needn’t have been. The thing is, the chief constable handed me an opportunity.”
“Crap, you’re not talking about a promotion?” Jack interrupted quickly. “You’re leaving us?”
“No, Jack, I haven’t been offered a promotion. I wouldn’t leave you guys, anyway. Actually, what was discussed in the DCI’s office concerns you, too.”
“Me? What the heck?”
“Calm down. Don’t look so worried. Let me rephrase that: this concerns all of you.” Sally paused, casting her eyes around the room. She recognised expressions of interest and curiosity staring back at her. “Seriously, I think this is a huge opportunity for all of us. When the chief constable first mentioned it, I wanted to run for the hills. Good job there aren’t any around here. But you know what? The more the idea settled in my mind, the more excited I became about it.”
“Are you actually going to tell us what this ‘amazing opportunity’ is, boss, or do you intend on keeping it to yourself?”
“You’re an impatient sod at times, Jack Blackman.”
“It’s taken you long enough to figure that out, boss.”
“Four long years,” she teased. “Anyway, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by my impatient partner, I think this opportunity is something we should really think long and hard about going forward. Okay, I suppose the idea has come about because of a recent case we solved and what we uncovered concerning that case.”
“Do you have to keep going around in circles? Can you not just tell us what the heck you’re getting at?”
Sally shook her head, not in disgust at his continuous interruptions but more out of amusement. “All right, you win. I’ve been asked to head up a cold-case team.” She scanned the room, watching her team’s reactions to the news, until her gaze came to a halt on Jack. “The chief said that I could choose my own team. I’m asking you guys if you want to join me in this venture.”
“Is this because of the Aisha Thomas case?” Joanna Tryst, a bright young detective constable, asked.
“You’ve got it, Joanna. What do you reckon?”
“I enjoyed doing the research on that case, I must admit.”
“I sense a but in your tone. Come on, we need to speak frankly about this; it’s got to be a team decision.”
Joanna smiled. “No but from me, boss. I’d relish the challenge. Will we be asked to go through all of that idiot Falkirk’s convictions?”
“That’s what I took from the meeting, Joanna. I hate the thought of all those people sitting in prison if they’re innocent.”
“Me, too. Then it’s a big fat yes from me.”
Sally’s gaze drifted to thirty-year-old, Detective Constable Jordan Reid, another keen member of her team, whom she respected. “Jordan, what say you on this one?”
“I’m up for it, boss. It’s a no-brainer after working the Thomas case. You do realise that some of the convictions will be tough to overturn if they were wrong, though, don’t you? We were lucky with the Thomas case, being able to trace all the witnesses surrounding that one, but it won’t always be that simple.”
“You’re right to raise that point, Jordan. Thanks for the feedback. Glad you’d be up for it, all the same.”
“You know me, boss. I love a challenge.”
“How about you, Stuart? What’s your take on this?”
One of the quieter members, Detective Constable Stuart McBain, had been with the team as long as Jack. Sally sometimes had trouble understanding the broad Scot, who was a lot broader than her fiancé at times, but she still loved listening to his accent.
“I’m as easy as a Sunday morning. Happy to go with the flow. Whatever is good for the team.”
“Thanks, Stuart, that’s good to know.” That left only one member of her team to consult. “Jack? How do things stand with you?”
Jack sat back in his chair and folded his muscular arms over his taut chest. Since leaving the army, he’d tried to stick with his rigorous fitness regimen to maintain his muscular build. He gave people the impression he was a real bruiser, but inside, he had a heart of gold and was a genuine softy. Judging by the frown contorting his features, Sally doubted he was thinking gooey, mushy thoughts, though.
“It’s like this: while I agree in principle, what I’d really like to know is, what’s the alternative?”
Sally bit the inside of her mouth. Did she tell the team or not? She’d never kept anything from them before. Believed in complete transparency at work, especially involving her team. Inhaling a large breath, she replied, “I’m not sure, to be honest with you, Jack. You know as well as I do that the government is always expecting the police force to make cuts where possible. You’re also aware of the crime rates decreasing in this area. To me, that can only mean one thing. That’s why I believe we should leap at the chance to set up this new team. However, I can’t force you to join me and the others. That decision will be yours to make.”
“It’s a tough one. I know we’re up against things manpower-wise, but why a cold-case team?”
Sally hitched her shoulders. “Perhaps someone from the gover
nment has suggested it to someone high up in the force, thinking that if some of the innocent people have their convictions squashed, it will alleviate the overcrowding in prison. I’m in the dark as much as you about that, partner.”
“It just seems a little suspect to me. That’s all.”
“Jack, if you’re in any doubt about this, then you should take time out to consider your choices. I’m not here to persuade you all to transfer with me. That choice is down to you guys. I would state that I’d be delighted if you did agree to join us, though. I’d be lost without my long-standing partner by my side.”
“That’s it, plant the guilt trip on me.”
Sally laughed. “I’m doing nothing of the sort.” She could hear the phone in her office ringing. “I need to answer that. Think over what I’ve said for a few minutes. Voice any doubts you have with the rest of the team, see if they can sway your decision,” she shouted as she rushed out of the room to answer the call. She threw herself in the chair behind her desk. “DI Parker. How can I help?”
“That’s one thing we haven’t discussed yet. Whether you intend taking on my name after we’ve tied the knot.”
Sally leaned back in her chair and smiled the second she recognised her fiancé’s sexy voice. “Well hello, you. Blimey, I haven’t given that much thought. Mind you, I suppose I’m desperate to get rid of Darryl’s name, so I think you should take that as a definite maybe.”
“Only a definite maybe? Let’s try it out: DI Sally Bracknall. It sounds far more sophisticated to me,” Simon stated, sounding triumphant.
“Hmm… I see one problem with that. My partner’s name is Blackman. Let me just try this out: ‘Hi, I’m DI Sally Bracknall, and this is my partner, DS Jack Blackman.’ We could run into difficulties.”
“Nonsense, they’re not the same at all. I hope you’re not putting obstacles in the way, young lady?”
Sally cringed every time he called her that, mainly because it reminded her of the thirteen-year age gap between them. Other times, that insignificant fact didn’t affect her at all. “I wouldn’t dream of it. How did the PM go?”