Badge of Loyalty by Jude Tresswell

Author:Jude Tresswell [Tresswell, Jude]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowanvale Books Ltd
Published: 2018-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Although a full IPCC investigation had not yet been deemed necessary, a heaviness blanketed the CID room on the morning that the IPCC representative was due to arrive. At any other time of any other day, moans, groans and curses would have been the sounds to emanate from overworked officers at cluttered desks. That morning though, conversation was subdued and the atmosphere was tense. The inspector was popular. So too were DCs Sanghera and Topley. Was there a case to answer? Was there evidence of misconduct? Of unsatisfactory performance? An indication of criminality? Had any of the three behaved in a manner which would justify disciplinary proceedings? By the end of the day, everyone would be closer to finding out.

Sanghera was first to be interviewed. Introductions were made. The IPCC representative was a retired chief superintendent named Bellman who’d spent his working life in a Midlands division. Sanghera was assured (reassured, because Flaxby had already drummed the fact into him) that this was simply a preparatory fact-finding mission to see if there might be a case to answer, and he was asked to repeat, in detail, everything that had happened at Cinderella’s and subsequently at the station when Thijs Falconer had his first interview. Sunny was adamant that neither physical nor psychological pressure had been brought to bear on the young man. Everything was as it should have been.

“PACE-perfect,” he said. “It wouldn’t be anythin’ else with Inspector Angells. He always plays by the book.”

Flaxby smiled encouragingly. Nice one, Sunny, he thought.

“What did you think of the witness’s state of mind?” Mr Bellman asked when Sanghera had finished making his report.

“I don’t know,” the young constable said thoughtfully, adding without any mockery, “I’m not a psychiatrist, but if I had to make a supposition, I’d say he was very anxious and nervous. Partly because he wasn’t over bright, if you know what I mean. He was a bit bewildered by everythin’. And, his boyfriend had died, though we only realised that later.”

“Did either you or the inspector try to put him at ease?”

“The inspector repeated that we were just tryin’ to find out what had happened, that we weren’t tryin’ to accuse him of anythin’. Oh, and he got him a cup of tea and he had one too.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, Flaxby couldn’t help a smile. Of course, he didn’t know that there had been other reasons for the need of some refreshment.

“Did that help?”

“A bit.”

“Was he more nervous than any other witness might be?”

“Well, no one likes to be brought in for questionin’, but I’d say he was more fidgety than most, yes.”

“Why do you think that was?”

“I don’t know, sir.” Spoken thoughtfully again. No hint of impatience or insolence as none was intended.

“Do you think that his being a gay man had anything to do with his fear?”

“Bein’ gay? You mean, he might have thought that there’s a bit of history between the Force and the gays, and he might get beaten up in a cell?” Sundeep queried.

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