Lucy looked up at the clock on the wall in front of her and realized that Mick O’Dowd was due in shortly for his probation appointment. He made Lucy uncomfortable. His mannerisms were a lot like Patrick’s and, every time she looked at him, she had an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. Mick’s condescending attitude when Lucy had first called him Michael put her nose out of joint. Lucy planned to spend the next two supervision sessions looking at Mick’s past offending behaviour, in the hope that she’d be able to form a better risk assessment. The transferring area provided her with a flimsy overview, sighting ‘lack of resources’ as the reason for their incomplete assessment.
Mick arrived for his appointment on time and Lucy directed him to an interview room.
‘Have a seat, Mick. As you’re new to the area, I’m just going to review what we have discussed so far. I know you’ll have done the induction with another officer on release, but bear with me, OK?’
Mick grunted and stared out the window. They went through the basic information and Mick signed where required. Lucy wasn’t even completely sure that he’d listened to the conversation, but at this point, she didn’t really care. What she wanted to do was look at his previous convictions, but she had to tread carefully. The last thing she wanted to do was trigger him and place a female or anyone at risk.
‘Thanks for completing the paperwork. I’ll add it to your file and inform the transfer area of its completion. As part of your licence supervision, we need to be looking at your previous convictions, your current conviction, and why these have now placed you on the police domestic abuse nominal list.’
‘Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. How come no one has told me why I’m on the list?’
‘In normal circumstances, they would have. The police and myself, or another probation officer, would have come to visit you prior to your release. However, we were informed at the last minute of your transfer and release to one of our bail hostels. All this should have been explained to you by your previous probation officer. Is there any reason you chose our area when you were asked?’
Mick looked a bit shifty but quickly responded. ‘No. I just chose three of the places I recognized, and this is where they sent me.’ He stared out the window again.
‘OK. So, let’s look at a bit of background. Is that all right? You’re not married at the moment. Are you in a relationship?’
‘No, and why the fuck is that your business?’
‘Had you been listening, Mick, one of your licence conditions is to inform us of any intimate relationship you may form. It is in fact, in your best interest to be as forthcoming with us as possible so that we don’t have to recall you.’
‘Fuck’s sake. That’s what it’s always about with you lot. Recall. Send you back to prison. Do as you’re fucking well told. Blah. Blah. Blah. Well you want some honesty, bitch? I’d love to bend you over this table right now and give you a good seeing to. How is that for fucking honesty?’
Lucy sighed. ‘Was that supposed to intimidate or shock me, Michael?’ She knew it was childish, but she purposely used his full name. Lucy moved in close and looked him straight in the eyes. ‘Let me tell you something, I’ve heard worse from worse so-called men than you – but if you want to carry on, please do. That will definitely lead to recall. As you’re new to me, I’ll give you another chance.’ Lucy leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. ‘But make no mistake, if you ever speak to me like that again I will recall your sad ass back to custody so fast you won’t even see it coming. We clear?’
Lucy had to compose herself when a familiar-looking sneer crossed his face.
‘Oh, we – are – clear.’ Mick took out a packet of tobacco and started to make a roll-up.
Knowing that she wasn’t going to get anymore information from him, and being slightly freaked out at the resemblance in mannerisms to Patrick, Lucy escorted Mick out of the building once he’d finished rolling his cigarette. She wondered whether she should just speak to her line manager about transferring his case back to London. With Mick’s high-risk status and the fact he’d not disclosed any links to the area, she could probably convince her manager to reject the case. There was just something that didn’t sit right, something that sent shivers down Lucy’s spine every time she saw him. That rarely happened. Lucy feared Mick had a very high risk of serious violence and it would only be a matter of time before she was facing a serious further offence.
Noticing the time, she typed up her remaining notes and packed up for the day. There was nothing more to do. Her phone rang as she reached the door leading into reception. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should answer. Whoever it was could wait until Monday.