Bad for Good by Graham Bartlett

Author:Graham Bartlett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2022-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

10.30 a.m., Monday 9th July

It had taken less than a fortnight for Phil to seriously fall out with his chief executive, Mike Close.

He’d considered having a complete clear-out of Teresa Sutton’s staff, but first he needed to understand what the hell a PCC was supposed to do and, like it or not, only people like Mike could reveal that mystery.

But Mike seemed intent on moulding him into a male version of his predecessor. He needed to nip that in the bud, now.

‘Mike,’ Phil bellowed, ‘you got a minute?’

In an instant the trim, bespectacled chief executive appeared.

‘Yes, Commissioner?’

‘Come in and shut the door,’ Phil commanded, flicking his hand to the vacant chair opposite. He waited until Mike sat down, pointedly taking a sip of coffee to stretch the moment out.

‘What exactly is your problem?’ said Phil.

‘I’m not sure I follow.’

‘Ever since I started you’ve been surly, frosty and if I hear you say “if that’s what you want” one more time, I’ll swing for you.’ Phil flinched at his own words; he’d gone too far.

‘There’s no need for threats, Mr Cooke.’

‘Phil.’

‘There’s no need for threats, Phil. I’m just here to do your bidding, so when I say “if that’s what you want” I mean just that.’

‘Bollocks. The scorn in your voice gives you away. What are you really thinking?’

‘Honestly?’

Phil nodded.

‘You’re no Teresa Sutton.’ Phil was about to interrupt but Mike kept going. ‘But you seem to want to do it all by yourself. Take this morning for instance. I am used to joining the PCC for their one-to-ones with the chief constable, not being banished to my office to feed off the titbits you see fit to throw me afterwards.’

Phil bit his lip. Of course Mike was right, but this morning’s meeting was one he couldn’t have witnesses to. That said, he would need to be smarter in future or his staff would suspect something.

‘That wasn’t a one-to-one as such. We were just chatting.’

‘Chatting?’

‘About Harry’s murder if you must know,’ Phil lied.

‘Oh, I see. I’m sorry,’ muttered Mike.

‘But there will be times I want to meet people on my own. I’m not shutting you out, it’s just how I do business.’

‘You need to be careful.’

‘Careful?’

‘You are the only elected person with a pan-Sussex remit. There are plenty out there, the Police and Crime Panel for starters, who will delight in you taking a fall. Part of my job is to keep everything you do squeaky clean, and that means protecting your back from all the Brutuses.’

‘I’m very grateful, but I can look after myself.’ Phil saw Mike’s right eyebrow rise quizzically.

‘Another thing?’ said Mike, as if he was about to reel off a list.

‘Go on.’

‘These grant variations you are proposing.’

‘Decided on,’ Phil corrected.

‘OK. These grant variations. How are you going to justify moving a million pounds from victims’ services to this new “community security” priority? The Police and Crime Panel will eat you alive.’

Phil took a breath. ‘I’ve been a victim of a crime that I wouldn’t wish on anybody. I’d

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