Detective Inspector Mark Taylor ran a team in the Force Major Incident Unit of Greater Manchester Police − murders. What he’d always wanted. A proper copper, investigating serious crime, not pushing a pen. And he was good at it. A quiet, unassuming man, he commanded respect and admiration from his colleagues. Always got the job done. He’d been summoned to the DCI’s office – rarely a pleasant experience.
Unlike Taylor, Detective Chief Inspector Armstrong utilised a combination of condescension and insincere flattery to gain compliance from his subordinates.
With people skills like that, Taylor couldn’t understand how he’d risen so high in the ranks. In fact, Armstrong was quite different towards his own superiors – an arse kisser.
Taylor knocked and waited for the customary, ‘Come.’
‘You wanted to see me, Chief?’
‘Yes, come in, Mark. Take a seat.’
Using his first name? A bad sign, thought Taylor.
‘How’s the family?’
Even worse. ‘I’m a bobby, Chief. Hardly see ’em.’
‘Yes, well.’ Armstrong didn’t want to open up that sort of discussion. Far too intimate. ‘Got a job for you. Death by dangerous.’
‘Death by dangerous?’ Taylor couldn’t hide his outrage. ‘In case you’d forgotten, Chief, I’m FMIT. We don’t investigate driving offences.’
‘I know, keep your hair on. This is a very serious case; two people died. A woman and a five-year-old girl.’ Armstrong paused for effect. ‘The suspect is a man called John Anderson. One of Manchester’s most successful prosecution barristers.’
‘Yeah, heard of ’im.’
‘All very delicate, as you can imagine. We can’t be seen to show any favouritism – quite the opposite. I want this wrapped up as quickly as possible.’
‘But why me?’
‘You were specifically requested by those in the corridors of power. Can’t have any mistakes on this one – Anderson would be on it in a flash.’
‘But I’m snowed under, Chief.’
‘You should be flattered. You can have DC Waters for your leg work. That’ll be all, Taylor.’
Taylor shut the door behind him and stood in the corridor, running a hand across his brow. When was he going to read the file? He checked his watch and sighed.
Another missed bath time.