Bold and brash was the approach to take here, I decided, as I marched through the command centre. Numerous pairs of eyes bugged out of their heads as I walked past. No androgynous, figure-hiding police blues today. Lycra and quite a lot of bare skin left no question as to the good shape I was in. Let them drool.
‘Where’s the Boss?’ I asked Darren McKenzie, noting that his offsider, Paul Frost, wasn’t about. That was a pity. Darren stood dumbfounded, and pointed in the general direction of the side rooms without taking his eyes off my chest.
The door was partly ajar, and I could see that the Boss was alone. I knocked and walked straight on in. After a momentary flash of surprise, his face was a study of control.
‘Constable, what are you doing here?’
Not the cheeriest of welcomes, but I wasn’t really expecting hugs and kisses. I thought I’d follow his tack of easing in first before going for the jugular.
‘I thought you should know I stopped a wee altercation between Lockie Knowes and Tony Walden this morning.’
That got his attention.
‘What the hell were they doing together?’
‘Lockie had gone down to the Medical Centre to give the doctor a piece of his mind. Fortunately, I got to them before any punches were thrown, so if Walden comes in to make a complaint, nothing actually happened.’ I chose not to enlighten him on my contribution to the fracas.
‘And why were you there?’
I gestured down towards my running gear. ‘I was just passing by.’
I stood there while he pointedly turned to resume his work. After a few moments he sighed and turned back. ‘Is that all?’ he said, and placed his pen down on the desk.
‘No.’
‘I thought not. Well?’
‘When do I get my job back?’
His jugular twitched. ‘You are still under investigation for a major crime, Constable. You may get your job back when and if I am satisfied you are no longer a suspect.’
I leaned forwards, my hands on the edge of his desk.
‘You know damned well I have nothing to do with this. I have the best knowledge of anyone about the people in this town. I should be out there helping with the investigation, not swanning around useless at home.’
‘Well you know damned well that I couldn’t put you on this case, anyway. There’s too big a conflict of interest.’
‘Well, put me back on normal duties, then. Somebody should be doing the everyday stuff while you lot are concentrating on the murder.’
‘Sorry, Constable, you are still under suspension. Even if I wanted to, I don’t have the authority to reinstate you. There is also the matter of the internal investigation by Professional Standards. It is entirely out of my hands.’ That was most definitely that. His body language barked case closed.
I stood up straight, ready to sulk out, but then thought better of it. Damned if I was going to give in that easily.
‘What about if I poked around in an unofficial capacity?’
‘No. Now out – you shouldn’t even be here.’
I could see I had managed to wind him up. Felt quite pleased about that. ‘Well, while I’m here, did you have any other questions for me?’ I pulled up a chair and sat down, leaned back and crossed my legs.
‘What kind of questions?’
‘Last time I was here I was being accused of murder. You took my notebook into evidence and said I would be required to fill in details of any time unaccounted for during that day. So here I am.’
‘We are satisfied with the testimony of the people you called on.’
My run-in with the intoxicated Mr Ray at the pub had already told me they’d followed up on my activities. ‘So you don’t want me for further questioning?’
‘Not at this time, no.’
I smiled as he stepped into the trap. ‘So I am no longer a suspect?’
He just narrowed his eyes at that. ‘Have you ever considered going into interrogation?’ he asked dryly.
‘Well, answer the question, please.’ I never did know when to stop.
His voice pegged up a notch or two. ‘Constable, that is enough. Now you are dismissed. Leave, or I will have you escorted off the premises. And if I get wind of you doing any poking around, there will be disciplinary action. Am I understood?’
I stood up, and couldn’t help but smile.
‘Of course, sir,’ I said, and walked out of the room. I strode across the hall and barely registered the stares. I might not have succeeded in getting my job back, but I sure as hell felt better. That round went to me.