Reprobates

by Bridgestock, RC

  ‘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.

  ‘Never more so. Like I have just been saying I believe that operational experience is essential for taking charge of, and dealing with current issues. I believe I am more than ready to meet the challenges of the next rank.’

  ‘Err... quite. Yes. Right, well let’s have a chat sooner rather than later then, please.’

  Dylan smiled to himself. Hugo-Watkins really didn’t know what to make of Dylan and Dylan wanted to keep it that way.

  ‘Oh, should I tell Victoria Hardacre about
your decision or shall I tell her to nip in to your office? She is working.’

  ‘Would you ask her to pop along? I’d like to inform her in person. Thank you, Jack for your contribution this morning. I found it most helpful.’

  ‘You’re welcome, sir.’

  Dylan shut his office door quietly. Janet smiled. ‘Did you enjoy the cookies, Dylan?’

  ‘I didn’t get a chance. Gaskin had them in his mouth before I got a look in,’ he said, his lips turned downward.

  Janet opened her drawer and took out a packet. ‘Thought he might. Here, don’t tell anyone,’ she said handing him a packet containing the last two.

  ***

  The more time Dylan spent with Hugo-Watkins behind closed doors the more they seemed to get on. The man was growing on Dylan, even if his choice of women, in Dylan’s opinion, left a lot to be desired. God knew what he saw in Avril Summerfield- Preston? Dylan made his way to the Incident Room with a promise to ring Janet with times he was available.

  As he strode back through the Incident Room he wore a very serious face. He headed for his office without speaking to anyone. At his office door he turned and stood quiet. In a serious and loud voice he called out. ‘Victoria, my office now, please.’

  The office went quiet. You could hear a pin drop as all eyes were upon Vicky as she walked into his office. Dylan told her to close the door.

  ‘The Chief Superintendent wants to see you immediately,’ he said. His head was down and he was reading a report he had picked up from his desk.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It’s about your application so look sharp,’ he said. ‘When you go in don’t sit down until you’re asked. Sit up straight and don’t fidget. Be polite and most of all don’t keep crossing and uncrossing your legs, which you do when you’re nervous by the way.’

  ‘I do?’

  ‘Yes, you do.’

  She laughed nervously.

  ‘Smile. I’m sure it will be good news,’ he said. His mouth twitched upwards at the corners. ‘Then get back here we have a lot of bloody work to do.’ Dylan smiled. ‘Practice that dead pan serious face when you walk out of here and don’t say anything in the office yet.’

  Vicky gritted her teeth in a fake smile. ‘Eek…’

  ‘Go on then, what’re you waiting for?’ he asked with a wave of his hand.

  ***

  It was thirty minutes before she returned carrying some documents under her arm.

  ‘You knew all the time didn’t you?’ she asked. Her face was flushed. She looked happy.

  ‘Of course, but I had to stop your mate Inspector Gaskin blackballing you for his favourite, a PC Graham Thornton. Piece of advice, he’s going to like you even less now. We need to talk about the next stage of the promotion process, you’re not home and dry yet, but it’ll have to wait till we have sorted these murderers. The last thing I want is bloody promotion boards getting in the way.’

  ‘On a serious note, thanks boss, if it wasn’t for you pushing me I know I wouldn’t have even applied.’

  ‘Just shows, we all need someone to kick us up the backside every now and then. He’s obviously given you a lot of reading material,’ he said nodding towards the paperwork she carried over her arm. ‘So make sure you do read it.’

  ‘But..’

  ‘No excuses. Find the time.’

  ‘He says he will speak to me again before the boards.’

  ‘Good. So you know you have our support. All you need to do now is get your mind set.’

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Dylan’s day had been somewhat derailed but he was glad he had been to the meeting. If only to stop Inspector Gaskin.

  Detective Sergeant Robinson walked into his office his face full of optimism. ‘We have good news about the trace of blood on the shaft of Bryant’s knife. Vicky’s just getting coffee. I’ll let her tell you the rest... ’

  ‘Promising?’ Dylan asked.

  ‘All good sir, all good.’

  ***

  Jen sat at her desk. She had been happier than she had been in a long while. Her home life settled, the love of Jack Dylan and the birth of their daughter Maisy had all helped her move on from the death of her mum in a road traffic accident.

  Her dad Ralph was enjoying a new found freedom with the use of the Internet and his new love interest. Jen had felt at peace with the world lately – until now. Now the sun had gone out of her sky and her stomach felt heavy with foreboding. She put her head down on her hands, and tried to think. Think! What was there to think about? Nothing. Now she was finding it hard to begin to know how to deal with the fact that someone she had considered her friend, her only friend for a while when she had relocated, had not only used her, and to what extent she was unsure, but to think that Penny could have potentially put her life and the lives of those she loved whether intentional or through naivety at risk was hard to bear. What she did know was that she would never speak to Penny again. It astonished her how deeply she felt the disloyalty. Dylan could never begin to understand how good Penny had been to her in the early days when she had felt dreadfully alone and isolated, three hundred miles away from her family, with only Max for company. They had been through a lot together had Penny and her in the last few years. She had once potentially saved Dylan’s life when she had found him collapsed due to exhaustion when Jen was at her dying mother’s bedside… now she had to accept that their friendship had come to an end.

  ‘I hear Penny Sanderson was putting it away at the King’s Head last night,’ said Rita breaking her

  reverie.

  Jen sat up. She put her elbow on the desk and cupped her chin in her hand. ‘I feel sorry for her in a

  way… but more so for her kids.’

  Rita’s face was like stone. Her eyes were as cold as those of a seagull. She had always given Jen the impression that she had become hardened by her life experiences, learned to live with the unpleasant things she dealt with in her work, that her sullen eyes looked upon the whole world as tainted. Albeit Jen had also seen the softer side of her at times. Rita set her eyes on Jen. ‘Don’t you dare go losing any sleep over her,’ she said crossly. ‘You hear?’ she said rising from her chair at the desk opposite. Jen nodded her head but her eyes swam with unshed tears. Rita walked past and stopping behind her chair she put a loving arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Nothing more was said.

  ***

  Dylan’s head turned to door at the sound of Vicky’s rat-a-tat-tat. Paul stood to let her in.

  ‘We’ve hit the jackpot... it’s Billy Simpson’s blood,’ she said glancing up from the drinks tray to Dylan. She put the tray down on his desk and handed a cup to Dylan and Paul before taking her own. She sat cradling it smugly in her lap, before reaching out to take a biscuit from the plate.

  ‘So the bastard was there, and it was him that more than likely inflicted the fatal stab wound. But why?’ asked Dylan. ‘Why did he want to kill him and Kirsty Gallagher? Had he wanted to kill and got the taste for it. Maybe it excited him?’

  Vicky took a noisy slurp of her coffee.

  ‘I’m really hoping by listening in on the cell corridor that we can glean something else to put to them in interview. Let’s have another interview with Bryant before we put our plan in action. I want to drop this on his toes and we’ll have to re-arrest him for Billy Simpson’s murder now we have this new evidence.’

  ***

  Dylan was informed that two of the prisoners were already in the cells and the anticipated third was en route. It was game on. He was looking forward to seeing Bryant’s reaction when they put to him the new evidence and he wouldn’t have long to wait. Dylan’s mind was set on the forthcoming interview and Lisa’s news that Yvonne Best had arrived was another step closer. He could feel his heart quickening. He needed to speak to her and disclose the fact that her client Richard Bryant would be re-arrested due to new evidence in the Billy Simpson murder case and there would be further disclosure in connection with the offence of murder for whi
ch he was already charged.

  Thirty minutes later and he was sitting in the interview room with Richard Bryant, his solicitor Yvonne Best and acting Detective Sergeant Vicky Hardacre. The relevant caution was read.

  ‘You are being arrested for the murder of Billy Simpson,’ Dylan said. He looked directly at Bryant.

  Richard Bryant grunted. He appeared as if he had been struck dumb. Dylan eyed him narrowly for a moment or two.

  ‘So what’s new? It’s bollocks.’ He leaned back in his chair and appeared to reflect.

  ‘The double edged stiletto knife, the one you identified as yours from your toolbox. You said you used it for cutting plasterboard. We’ve found blood on it.’

  ‘Yeah, and no doubt mine. I’ve cut my hand on that bugger a time or two.’ He wiped a hand over his face.

  ‘It’s Billy Simpson’s blood.’

  ‘No fucking way,’ he said his eyes widening to the size of a golf ball. ‘Jane admitted that to you, did she?’

  ‘But what you need to explain to us is why a knife in your toolbox has got blood from the deceased on?’

  ‘How the fuck would I know. You tell me,’ he said turning to Yvonne Best. Yvonne didn’t take her eyes off Dylan.

  ‘The pathologist tells us that it was a double edged knife that was thrust into Billy Simpson’s chest. And this was the killer wound,’ Dylan said.

  ‘I didn’t do it. Ask Jane she’ll tell you I wasn’t involved.’ Richard Bryant remained calm.

  ‘God knows why but the sad thing is Jane would probably do anything for you wouldn’t she, and you’d let her,’ Vicky said.

  ‘I can’t help it if women find me irresistible.’

  ‘Why do you think women are so besotted by you?’ asked Vicky.

  Richard Bryant shrugged his shoulders. ‘You tell me?’ he smirked. ‘How the hell would I know? As far as I’m concerned it was all just a bit of fun. Look, for fuck’s sake, the fact is Jane’s ex has broken into her house, she has to fight for her life and then she ends up killing him. You two might not like it, but that’s what happened.’