Jed Smithers nodded his recognition when David approached the bar. Jed was an impressive-looking character; mid-thirties, tall and well-built, with a shaved head and stubble beard. He had broad shoulders, a flat stomach and looked like he worked out quite a lot.
“What can I get you, Chief Inspector?” He inclined his head at Jo with an appreciative smile. “Your assistant scrubs up well,” he added, oblivious to the mild racist inference in the remark.
Jo smiled back politely, not understanding the joke but enjoying the attention.
“This is Detective Sergeant Cottrell,” said David. “DC Shakhir’s got time off for good behaviour.”
He ordered a pint of bitter and a half of cider and looked around the bar as Jed pulled them.
“You’ve done well to open up again in less than two days, Jed,” he said, “and it was important you did. The village needed this, needed to see they can survive. How’ve people been?”
“A lot better today than yesterday. Sunday was worse than a wake, as if people just had to come to check that it was all true but didn’t really want to be here. I wasn’t actually open, but nobody wanted a drink, anyway. I’ve not opened the back room again yet. Not sure what to do; that’s where Emily got hit in the throat.” He shook his head sadly, then walked off along the bar to serve someone else.
David and Jo took their drinks and went through into the snug next to the main bar. It was empty. They sat in silence for a few minutes.
“What did you make of Mr and Mrs Enderby?” asked David.
“I liked them, a lot,” she replied. “And I feel so sorry for them, as well. I really believe they did their best; that it wasn’t their fault. What do you do when you know that if your kids look anything like being half-decent, they’ll get beaten to a pulp every time they go out? How can you deal with that?”
“I agree,” said David. “It’s too bloody easy to say ‘they just need a firm hand.’ Can you imagine how they must have felt going to the police for help and being told that – after they’d tried absolutely bloody everything? First Alma Deverall – daren’t come to us because she knew we’d let her down and then, as if to prove she was bloody right, these people do come to us and – guess what – we bloody well let them down! What the bloody hell do we get paid for, for Christ’s sake?
“You’re getting on your ‘bloody’ roll again, sir,” said Jo. “Have another pint and relax; I’ll drive you home and get a taxi back here to pick my car up… ”
“Thanks, Jo… ”
“… on expenses!” she added.
“But of course,” he said, smiling now and relaxing already. “Tell you what; get me a large Macallan instead.”
Jo raised her eyebrows.
“I’ll pay,” said David, pulling a ten pound note from his wallet and tossing it on the table.
“Great,” said Jo, picking up the note. “I’ll just go and find Jed. I may be gone for some time.”
‘SECRET PAPERS REVEAL RADICAL
PROPOSALS FOR NEW JUSTICE REGIME’
‘A secret document leaked from the Shadow Home Secretary’s Office, reveals details of the extreme measures the Opposition Party will introduce if they achieve power at the next General Election in fifteen months’ time. It is believed these have been discussed as a matter of urgency over the past several weeks, primarily in response to the growing public demand for new initiatives to curb what Jackie Hewlett, Shadow Home Secretary, has referred to as ‘Domestic Terrorism’. These measures will include:
• ‘Absolute Zero Tolerance’ relating to the behaviour of street gangs
• Police powers to arrest and hold yobs causing a disturbance for up to three days without charge
• Powers for the courts to give custodial sentences to trouble-makers without the current need to prove guilt of a specific crime; cumulative evidence of nuisance value will suffice
‘And the measures, to be component parts of what Ms Hewlett terms the ‘New Justice Regime’ – the NJR – will go much, much further for extreme cases of wrong-doing
• New sentencing which will lead to the permanent separation of those failing to respond to more conventional measures of control.
• The creation of a ‘Life Exile’ (LE) status whereby such people will be permanently relocated off-shore in custom-built detention facilities, with no opportunity for return
• The creation of an intermediate ‘Deferred Life Exile’ (DLE) status for individuals under the age of sixteen (and over the age of twelve) who will be monitored for three years or up to the age of sixteen, whichever period is the longer, at which point a decision will be taken on whether they will be confirmed as ‘Life Exiles’. During this deferred period they will also be completely isolated. This designation – DLE – would also be available as an alternative to immediate LE status in certain mitigating circumstances.
‘Whereas these measures will be designed specifically for those individuals rejecting their communities by their behaviour and attitude, a number of specific crimes could receive DLE or LE designation. Such crimes have not been clearly identified as yet but may include:
• Drug dealing
• Aggravated burglary
• Using a weapon whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DLE only)
• Rape
• ‘Active’ paedophilia
‘New facilities for the monitoring of offenders will also be part of the NJR. These are particularly extreme and include:
• The indefinite electronic tagging of all DLEs should they be released after their deferment period.
• Such tags will be surgically inserted close to the heart of the offender, rather then attached to them mechanically
• Tags will be used not only for locating offenders but could also impart an electric charge which would have the effect of immobilising them and aiding recapture if necessary
‘The document includes many more details on a new structure for the judiciary, which would incorporate, as a key component, fully trained jurors selected from a pool who will serve a period of three years and who will receive payment for their role. It also provides for a significant increase in the number of police officers, a reduction in administrative pressures, and more flexibility for the deployment of resources across traditional inter-force boundaries.
‘Although these changes are extreme and go much further than any previous proposals for tackling these serious national issues, the Opposition are confident that, with an early indication of election success next year, they can be preparing for government with a view to introducing these measures within six months of taking office.’
Jackie and Tom were summoned to Andrew’s office at just after 4.00 pm. Without preamble, he read from the paper he was holding.
“‘The leak came via an email with the document attached. It seems the source of the communication was a privately-owned PC whose email address was terminated immediately after transmission. The message, however, is clear regarding its origin, stating ‘from the office of the Shadow Home Secretary; at last, someone with the bottle to stop the persecution of the innocent!’ Interesting, don’t you think?”
He refolded the copy of the London Evening News ‘Special Edition’ to show the front page, and tossed it across the desk towards them as they stood awaiting an invitation to sit down. Jackie gasped as she read the headline.
“Please feel free to read it all,” Andrew went on, “but I can save you the trouble by telling you it’s word perfect,” he said, “However, so we don’t all fall out of friends, let’s not worry right now about how this happened. I trust you guys have worked discreetly and carefully; I can’t believe it was down to anything you’ve done in the last couple of days. So this isn’t a witch-hunt.”
As he spoke, he waved them to be seated. At the same time he got to his feet and began pacing round the room
“What we need to decide, however, is what we say, if anything, at this stage. The press are going to ask us if all this is true – obviously
. Well, we can’t exactly say it isn’t, can we? Because, as I said, it’s virtually word-perfect. We’d have to back-track on everything we’ve done to date on this if we denied it. So that’s not an option. What I believe we need to say is that we have, of course, with the greatest urgency, started to conduct an internal investigation as to the source of this information. And put up the shutters with ‘at this stage we have no further comment to make.’
“Because,” he went on, “this could work big-time in our favour. If we can stone-wall it for a couple of days – perhaps even just twenty-four hours – we’ll get a really good feel for the reaction out there.
“Worst case scenario, in the face of outrage and anger, we have ready a suitably indignant denial. ‘How could the public seriously believe we would suggest such extreme… etcetera’. Best – and expected – outcome, they all shout ‘bring it on!’ and we prepare for government.”
Jackie was white-faced and appeared not to be taking in much of what Andrew was saying.
“And how do we address the issue of the leak itself?” she asked.
Andrew stopped pacing and sat down again.
“Well, we may not have to. If the reaction is positive then… ”
“Then let me be more specific,” interrupted Jackie. “How do we address the issue of the leak if the reaction is not positive?”
“Well, as I say, Jackie, I’m not ready to address that yet. I think I said just a few moments ago, if you were listening, this is not a witch-hunt… ”
“No, but it will be, just as soon as the first bit of negative feedback reaches you. Would you like me to resign now, or would you prefer to sack me?”
Andrew seemed temporarily unsettled by the confrontation, but he quickly recovered his poise and responded with his customary cool menace.
“You must do what you think is appropriate. But let me make it clear that it will be your doing. I have been deliberately conciliatory in this meeting when, I believe, I could have been forgiven for blowing my top. I have no idea where you get the idea from that I’d sack you, Jackie,” he went on, just a little more warmly, “I have only days ago made it clear that I want you to lead on this new strategy. Why on earth would I do that if I saw your position as that tenuous?”
“Very well,” she said, “let’s leave it for now, as you say, and concentrate on the holding statement. Might I suggest that we make this an official press release read to camera by Press Liaison? That way we don’t get drawn into a wider debate and we can limit what we say. Jim McIntyre’s a good stone-waller; he should do it.”
“Good idea, Jackie,” said Andrew. “Let’s agree the wording between us.”
They sat for a further twenty minutes, Tom and Jackie first reading through the newspaper article and then the three of them drafting the message. Jackie read out the final release.
“‘A statement from the office of Mr Andrew Donald, Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition. Mr Donald will be conducting a full enquiry into the recent communication, allegedly from the office of a Shadow Cabinet Minister, to the London Evening News on Wednesday 14th July. He hopes to conclude this investigation within the next few days, at which time he will decide what action to take. In the meantime, there will be no further statement on the matter from this office.’” Jackie looked up. “I think that is okay as far as it goes, but to state the blinding obvious, the overwhelming interest will be the content of the leak not where it came from. This won’t go anywhere close to satisfying the press even for a day or two. And what about the House… ?”
“Well, Stone-Wall McIntyre might have to work overtime for a start, and as far as the House is concerned, then we’ll hide for a couple of days. There’ll be no-one on the Front Benches who can answer the questions. It’s just a day or two until we get the feedback, and in the meantime I’ll put together a denial statement – which I am certain we won’t need. Okay?”
“Can I see the denial statement when it’s ready?” asked Jackie, more as a demand than a request.
“Well, as I say, I don’t believe we’ll need to issue one,” said Andrew. “But, if you’d like… ”
“I would,” she snapped back. “Is that everything for now?” She made to stand up.
“Yes, I guess.”
“Then if you’ll excuse me.” She turned without speaking again to either man and walked quickly from the room.
Tom had risen from his chair, his instinctive old-world reaction to a woman rising from hers. He watched her leave not knowing what to do.
“I’d better catch up with her,” he said, turning to Andrew. “Still got to finish the proposal. We’ll need to have the official version even sooner now, I guess.”
Andrew was relaxed and smiling again, back in total control.
“Sit down for a minute. Let her get her knickers untwisted first,” he said. “What was all that about? Stupid bitch! She can’t see further than the end of her big nose!”
Tom did sit down, but leant across the desk towards Andrew, springing instinctively to his colleague’s defence.
“Bloody hell, Andrew. I thought she took it pretty well. Can you imagine what she must be thinking right now? You could show a bit more sympathy for your victims!”
“God almighty!” said Andrew, throwing up his arms in exasperation. “I don’t know what the matter is with everyone today. I’ve done nothing that you and I didn’t agree on Friday. I’ve even given Ms Jackie a bloody vote of confidence, for God’s sake. How the hell is that screwing up her life?”
“Your problem, Andrew, is that you can’t see past your own priorities. You can’t accept that anyone who doesn’t see things exactly how you do has any value whatsoever. Let me tell you a secret. Jackie Hewlett is a very nice human being. Not only that, but she’s bloody good at her job. Oh, and another thing,” he added, “if you bother to look at her closely, you’ll see she does not have a big nose.”
Andrew’s mood lightened at the final remark.
“Well, well,” he said, with a sneer. “You and Jackie Hewlett. Who would have thought it? And here’s me just assuming that you’d be banging Grace.” He raised his hands in appeasement before Tom could respond. “Just joking.”
He smiled broadly, mainly at Tom’s discomfort.
“You’d better not be giving Grace one, by the way,” he added, as if to make it clear that he really had been joking.
Both men were silent for a while, but with the tense atmosphere persisting. Tom eventually got to his feet.
“Best get going,” he said, and left the room with neither man bothering to say goodbye.
He walked back to Jackie’s office in Portcullis House. She was sitting with her back to the door swinging back and forth through a semicircle on her tilt-and-swivel, obviously deep in thought.
“Jackie, are you alright?”
She swung fully round to face him.
“Oh, hi, Tom,” she said, “Sorry to rush out like that, but that smug bastard was really getting to me.”
“You caught him off guard today, though, Jackie,” said Tom, smiling. “I think for a moment he considered tending his own resignation.”
Jackie laughed.
“No, not even for a split second. But I admit to having enjoyed not simpering along and slinking out backwards, curtsying all the way. And do you know something – I don’t give a shit what he does; I don’t trust him one iota any more. Because I’m certain I know where the leak came from. I mean, this works perfectly doesn’t it – and it wouldn’t be the first – or last – time it’s been done. Leak something controversial and wait, with a prepared denial, for a reaction. Then tear it up if everyone likes what they hear.
“It has to be him, doesn’t it?” Jackie went on. “He actually said in there, didn’t he – ‘I don’t believe it’s either of you’ – or something like that. He wouldn’t say that if he didn’t know who has leaked it. I mean, who knows about this stuff – in that sort of detail? You, me and Andrew – oh, and Grace Goody. No-one else. And what you also
need, for the plan to work, is a scapegoat if it goes wrong – a fall guy. Or a fall girl in this case. He’s not going to sacrifice you, is he? And Grace just isn’t a big enough meal to feed to the vultures… ”
“Well,” said Tom, astonished at her perceptiveness and firming up his loyalties, “we’re a team, Jackie, and in team sports, all the members get relegated together. So he can have a fall-couple this time.”
Jackie beamed a smile at him.
“Why, Tom,” she said, mimicking his recent words to her, “what a lovely thing to say.”
CHAPTER 15
Joaquin Enderby turned up at his house at 6.00 pm that evening as if he had never been away. He knocked on the front door, which was opened by Winston. The boy walked into the living room, seating himself on the sofa and picking up the remote from the floor in front of where his father had been sitting. His parents stood together in the doorway watching him for several minutes in silence as he flipped through the channels without saying another word.
Mary phoned the police before sitting next to her son on the sofa.
“Are you hungry, love?” she said.
“Starving,” said the boy.
“What would you like?”
“Fish fingers and chips,” he said.
“Fish fingers and chips – what?” asked his father.
“Fish fingers and chips, please,” said Joaquin.
“Good boy,” said Winston. He looked across at Mary with a wide smile.
Jo arrived fifteen minutes later with Geoff Drury and Judy Standitch, a Care Liaison Officer. Joaquin was seated on the sofa with Winston’s arm around him. They were watching some sort of game show, just as if it was what they did every evening at this time.
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