The Dirty Dozen

by Lynda La Plante

  “Did you see the woman again?”

  “When the policewoman helped her out of the alleyway, she was crying, but I couldn’t see any tears. I looked her in the eye, and she turned away—it was obvious she was lying.”

  “Tony’s been a fool and got himself in serious trouble—but if what you’ve told me is the truth, there’s some things that don’t add up.”

  “What do you think will happen to him?”

  “I don’t know yet. The night duty CID will take a statement from the woman, then they may interview Tony or leave it to the early turn CID to take the investigation over. Are you happy to stay here for now?”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I find out what’s happening. Does Pam know he’s been arrested?”

  “Not as far as I know, though Tony would have had to give his name and address to the custody sergeant. I’m going to ask the CID to speak to you. Would you be willing to make a written statement if necessary?”

  “Of course, but I’m worried they’ll think I’m lying to protect Tony.”

  “I won’t deny that’s possible, but I’m a detective and I believe you.”

  “Tony’s lucky to have you as a sister-in-law.”

  “It’ll need more than luck to get him out of the mess he’s made for himself. If the investigating officer tells me to leave it that’s the end of my involvement—”

  “Even if he’s charged?”

  “Yes. I’m putting my neck on the line as it is by being here.”

  Jane went through the foyer door to the front counter, where she showed her warrant card to the duty sergeant and asked if the night duty CID were available. The sergeant told her DS Simon Boon was in the CID office on the first floor, and let her into the police side of the station.

  Entering the CID office, she saw a man in his mid-thirties, dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, sitting at a desk typing.

  “Sorry to disturb you. I’m WDS Jane Tennison from the Flying Squad. Are you DS Simon Boon?” She showed him her warrant card.

  He nodded. “A bit unusual for the Sweeney to be out at this time of night. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m here about the indecent assault suspect you’re dealing with—”

  “He doesn’t strike me as a hardened armed blagger,” a suspicious-sounding Boon remarked.

  Jane was direct. “Tony Harrison is my brother-in-law. He used his right to a phone call after his arrest to contact me at home. I’m just trying to find out what happened and if he’s likely to be charged.”

  Boon looked surprised, stopped typing and sat back in his chair.

  “He told the arresting officers his name was Tony Durham and said he lived at thirty-three Melcombe Street?”

  She sighed. “That’s my address. I suspect he doesn’t want my sister Pam to know he’s been arrested.”

  “Well, he’s certainly not done himself any favors by lying.”

  “Tony’s never been in trouble with the police before, so he’s unused to this kind of situation and probably not thinking straight. I’ve always known him to be a devoted husband and father, who’s never been unfaithful or aggressive.”

  “That’s debatable, considering the allegation against him and the state of the victim.”

  “I know your investigation is none of my business, but all I’d ask is that you speak to his friend Noel Harper, who is in the station foyer.”

  “I wasn’t made aware that Tony was with any friends, but I’ll speak to Mr. Harper.”

  “Thanks for your time and I hope you don’t think I’m trying to interfere,” she said, not wanting to push her luck.

  “For what it’s worth . . . I’d be standing where you are now if it was my brother-in-law who got nicked. I appreciate you being up front about your connection to Mr. Harrison, and not trying to tell me the victim is mistaken or how to run my investigation. You do appreciate that whatever I may tell you is off the record?”

  She realized he was prepared to listen to her.

  “As far as I’m concerned, we never spoke, and if anyone questions why I was here, you refused to tell me anything.”

  “Good, then we both know where we stand. What’s Mr. Harper’s version of events?” Boon picked up his pen and a piece of paper. “I just want to be sure that what Noel Harper told you matches with what he tells me.”

  “That’s understandable.”

  She told him everything that Noel had said. Finishing up, Jane emphasized the fact that the woman had dragged Tony up the alleyway and only started screaming for help about a minute later, when the uniformed officers walked towards them.

  Boon put down his pen, folded up the notes and put them in his trouser pocket.

  “I spoke to the victim, Laura Brooks, when she was first brought to the station. She was clearly distressed and emotional, and said she felt embarrassed talking to me. I got the WPC who was at the scene to take a statement from her, but I’ll come to that in a moment.” He picked up the uniformed officer’s incident report book, which contained the details of Tony’s arrest.

  “The arresting officers were passing the alleyway when they noticed a couple kissing and touching each other’s genitals.”

  “Outside their clothing?”

  “No, Tony had his penis out and his hand was up the woman’s skirt. Her bra was up over her breasts and he was touching them with his other hand. As the officers approached, the PC shouted out that they were committing a public indecency offence. Brooks looked at them and started shouting out for help and pushing Tony away. She told the officers she was walking through the alleyway when she was grabbed from behind by Tony, who ripped her blouse and sexually assaulted her. She also said she was paralyzed with fear until she saw the police officers and thought she would have been raped if they hadn’t come along.”

  “Was her blouse torn?” Jane asked.

  “Yes, at the top, and one button was missing, which was recovered in the alleyway.”

  “Did the police doctor find any scratches or bruising on her consistent with an indecent assault?”

  “No, and he also did an inner thigh and vaginal examination.”

  “So, he found no evidence to support she was sexually assaulted?”

  “Correct. He also thought she’d had more to drink than she said she had, though that doesn’t mean she wasn’t assaulted. In her statement Brooks said she didn’t struggle as she feared being raped and beaten. She admits masturbating Tony, but only because he got his penis out and forced her to.”

  “Did she say anything about meeting him in the ballroom, then kissing and rubbing against him while they were dancing?”

  “She says he came on to her and touched her backside and she slapped him, and he must have been angry and followed her up the alleyway to attack her.”

  “Was she with anyone who can corroborate her version of events?”

  “She said her friend felt ill and had gone home, so she was alone in the nightclub.”

  “How convenient. Tony was with a group of lads on a stag night. If what Noel Harper told me is the truth, they can corroborate his version of events.”

  “If they’re willing to make a statement I’ll ensure the early turn CID speak to them.”

  “What did the WPC who took the statement make of Brooks?”

  “She was present when the Forensic Medical Examiner examined her, and after taking the statement she said that although she couldn’t prove Brooks was lying, she wasn’t convinced her story was entirely true.”

  “Why lie like that and accuse an innocent man of something he didn’t do?”

  “The WPC has a theory on that.”

  “Which was?”

  “She was frightened she’d be arrested for indecency in a public place and her husband would find out.”

  Jane was surprised. “She’s married as well . . . Tony’s more stupid than I thought.”

  “I know it’s of little consolation where Tony’s concerned, but she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. The WPC noticed a w
hite mark on her ring finger. When asked if she was married, Brooks became nervous and said she’d taken her wedding ring off because her finger had swollen up and it hurt.”

  “Did you contact her husband?”

  “The WPC asked Brooks if she’d like us to, but she said he was away on business and she’d tell him when he got back. She also declined a lift home and when she got in a cab I rang her home address. A man answered and said angrily, ‘Is that you, Laura?’ I said I’d got the wrong number and put the phone down.”

  “Sounds like Brooks panicked, thinking she’d be arrested for public indecency.”

  “Possibly—if her allegation is false.”

  “Will you be interviewing Tony, or will you hand the case over to early turn?”

  “I’ll interview him after I’ve spoken to Noel Harper. If their stories match, I’ll release him on bail pending further enquiries and deal with the case myself. I’m back on day shift Monday.”

  “I know I’m pushing my luck but is there any chance I can see him?”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “I won’t mention I’ve spoken to you or Harper—I just want to speak to him about my sister and tell him to be truthful.”

  Boon stood up. “I’ll tell the custody sergeant you’re family and I’ve approved a short cell visit—but I’ll have to be present.”

  “Of course.”

  As Boon opened the cell door, Jane saw Tony sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. As soon as he saw Jane he started to well up.

  “I’m sorry, Jane—I really messed up. I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done.”

  “So you should be, Tony—even more so for giving a false name and using my address.”

  “I was worried Pam would find out I’d been arrested.”

  “If you hadn’t fancied a sordid quickie up a dirty alleyway, you wouldn’t be here now. This is DS Boon, and he’ll be dealing with the investigation and interviewing you.”

  “I swear, Jane, I didn’t assault her—she’s lying.”

  “I’m not here to discuss your arrest or persuade DS Boon you’re innocent. He will decide what happens to you, but you must tell him the truth and give him the details of the friends you were with so he can interview them.”

  Tony was surprised by her bluntness. “I don’t want to drag them into this mess.”

  Jane could see through his apprehension.

  “Only because you’re worried your arrest might get back to Pam. You may need them as defense witnesses—especially if you end up in court. If a jury finds you guilty, you could get ten years in prison.”

  She knew this would frighten Tony, but that was her intention.

  He looked at her with fear in his eyes.

  “Ten years?”

  She nodded. “And I don’t think Pam would stand by you either—”

  “Are you going to tell her?”

  “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”

  “I don’t want to lose Pam or Nathan. I love them both with all my heart.”

  “You should have thought of that before you went over the side with another woman!”

  “I didn’t mean to—”

  “Oh, so you accidentally went down the alley and, without realizing, fondled each other’s genitals?”

  “It just sort of happened . . . I’d had a few drinks and liked the fact another woman fancied me.”

  “Drink is not an excuse. Have you been unfaithful before?”

  “No, never. But I haven’t had sex with Pam since she had the baby. When the woman touched me, I felt aroused—”

  “So, you’re saying you would have had sex with her if the police hadn’t come along?”

  He started to cry. “I guess so, yes.”

  “You need to listen to Jane’s advice, Tony. I’ll go and call the duty solicitor so he can represent you during the interview.”

  Boon felt that the conversation was getting personal and he should give them some time alone.

  “Thanks, Simon. I won’t be much longer.”

  She sat down next to Tony.

  “I know you’re not capable of attacking or sexually assaulting a woman, Tony, but you created this mess and I can’t get involved.”

  “Are you going to tell Pam?”

  “There’s part of me that says I should as she’s my sister, but I also feel you should tell her. Are the two of you having problems at home?”

  “She was fine when Nathan was born, then after a couple of months she became distant and didn’t want to have any form of physical contact with me. I thought at first she might be seeing someone else, but I knew I was imagining it and realized she was just worn out from looking after Nathan day and night. I tried to help Pam more with him, but she wouldn’t let me and kept saying I didn’t know what I was doing. She doesn’t even like me picking him up in case I drop him.”

  “Sounds like a bad case of the baby blues. You need to talk to her, Tony—tell her how you feel and try and resolve the situation.”

  “It’s worse than you realize, Jane. She screams and throws things at me. She goes berserk about silly little things that don’t really matter. I dread going home after work—I’m even sleeping in the spare room.”

  Jane was shocked. She knew Pam could be quick-tempered and hot-headed at times, but she hadn’t noticed any drastic changes in her behavior. She wondered if Pam was depressed, suffering in silence and keeping her feelings from the rest of the family.

  “I’m not going to tell Pam. Whether or not you do is your decision, but like I said, the pair of you need to talk. Try and get her to speak to her doctor about her depression. He may be able to prescribe some medication that will help or arrange some form of counselling.”

  “I promise I’ll do what I can to help her.”

  “You can ring me at home any time if you want advice or just need someone to talk to.”

  “Thanks, Jane. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Do you think I’ll be charged later and then released?”

  “DS Boon seems a fair man to me. I’m confident he will look at all the evidence and re-interview the complainant before making a final decision, which means you’ll be released on police bail pending further enquiries. However, if she sticks to her story, it’s your word against hers, and our solicitors’ department may feel you should be charged. Then it’s up to a jury to decide who’s telling the truth. Hopefully it won’t come to that.”

  “Should I wait and see what happens before telling Pam?”

  “That’s up to you. But even friends may let the cat out of the bag unintentionally, so even if the allegation is withdrawn, Pam might still find out. My advice would be to go back to your friend Noel’s house first and take some time to reflect on what’s happened before you go home to Pam.”

  “I promise I won’t ever look at another woman again.”

  Jane smiled. “It’s all right to look, Tony.”

  She gave him a hug and closed the cell door as she left him to think about what he was going to tell Pam.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was 4 a.m. Saturday by the time an exhausted Jane got home. She didn’t even bother to undress, and after setting the alarm for 7 a.m., she collapsed on her bed then fell into a deep sleep.

  When the alarm went off Jane reached out with her hand, turned it off and thought she’d have another minute or two dozing before getting up. It was a bad mistake as she woke up again at 8 a.m. and realized she’d have to get a move on to be in work for 9 a.m. She had a quick shower and washed her hair and dried it. She decided to dress down and put on a T-shirt, roll neck jumper, jeans, black Puffa jacket and trainers. She was hungry, but didn’t have time for breakfast, and was about to leave when the phone rang. She was going to ignore it but then thought it might be Tony.

  “What time and where do you want to meet?” Pam asked.

  Jane mentally cursed herself. “I’m really sorry, Pam, I totally forgot we were going to go shopping and—”

&
nbsp; She also realized that Pam was still unaware of Tony’s arrest.

  “You’ve got to work.”

  “Yes, it’s been non-stop the last couple of days and our DCI said we all have to work the weekend.”

  Jane heard a sigh on the end of the line. “Thanks a lot, Jane, I’d arranged for Mum and Dad to look after Nathan and told them you’d be round for supper.”

  “Can you apologize for me, please?”

  “No, I can’t—you ring them. I’m tired of being the bearer of bad news where you’re concerned.”

  Jane tried to stay positive. “We’re only doing eight-hour shifts so I’ll be finished by five and can come over then—I should be there about six-ish.”

  “And if I tell them that and you don’t turn up, I’ll get it in the ear.”

  “All right, I’ll ring them when I get to work.”

  “Make sure you do.”

  “Are you going shopping?”

  “Yes, assuming Mum’s still willing to look after Nathan.”

  “Could you do me a favor and visit a men’s outfitters and—”

  Pam’s tone changed from annoyed to amused. “Got a new beau, have you? Not another detective, is it?”

  “No, to both questions. One of our suspects in the robbery was wearing a gray newsboy cap—”

  “A paper boy robbed the Securicor van?”

  “No, stupid, it’s a type of cap, which we want to show our witnesses. I’d be really grateful if you could get one for me and I’ll pick it up this evening at Mum’s and pay you back.”

  Jane gave her a detailed description of the hat. Pam chuckled.

  “Will that mean I’m on the Flying Squad?”

  “Believe me, you might not want to be . . . Look, I’ve got to go, I’m running late. I promise we’ll go shopping another time.”