Matrons of Dishonour (Esther & Jack Enright Mystery Book 13) by David Field

Author:David Field [Field, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2026-03-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

‘I’m beginning to associate the taste of Tang Li’s meat pie with a nostalgic longing for my garden,’ Percy complained to Jack, seated across the table from him shortly after noon the following day. They were seated at their favourite table in Tang Li’s Chophouse on the Embankment, only yards from Cleopatra’s Needle. ‘It’s only a matter of time before my runner beans petition for divorce on the grounds of desertion.’

‘I can’t say the same for the taste of chicken chow mien,’ Jack said with a smile, ‘but I think you’ll find that this case is right up your street.’

‘You mean it’s in Hackney?’ Percy joked.

‘No, but it’s got “Percy Enright” written all over it. A grubby murder designed to thwart the criminal justice process, and cover up a growing scandal at the very heart of public life. And it’s close enough to here for you to pop in for lunch every day that you’re investigating it.’

‘So go on — ruin my lunch,’ Percy invited him.

‘It’s about this matron system that’s been introduced in some police stations in order to protect female and other vulnerable prisoners from being abused.’

‘What about it? I only know that it exists, so if you have more information to disclose, give me the details.’

‘I only know the bare outline myself, but it seems that these matrons are all women, as you’d expect, and there’s no difficulty with that. In fact, if properly administered, the system has the potential to considerably improve both the efficient performance and the reputation of the Met. As you may know, I’ve been suggesting for years that we should consider appointing female constables.’

‘No doubt under Esther’s influence,’ Percy put in, ‘and I concede that her services have proved invaluable several times in the past. But that was always undercover, and never in uniform.’

Jack waved away the interruption, then continued, ‘You have, of course, become aware of the recent public disturbances created by those women calling themselves Suffragettes, thanks to your old friend Melville, and the need to employ Lucy — another woman, let it be noted — undercover in order to identify the ones learning unarmed combat.’

‘That’s all completed, and I had hoped to spend more time in my garden until you invited me to lunch.’

‘Well, obviously, from the way these strident women carry on, they seem determined to get themselves arrested. Two of them succeeded recently, when they started lobbing rocks at a Government building in Whitehall. The incident was witnessed by Lily and Annabelle, you may recall, to the considerable chagrin of Aunt Beattie. Those two women — Ada Wright and Sarah Carwin — got themselves locked up for the night in Bow Street, where they employ those matrons to whom I referred. Despite the existence of those matrons, they were each isolated in empty cells and sexually assaulted by two police constables.’

‘I read that allegation in the Daily Mail,’ Percy told him, ‘but I thought it was another exaggeration by a journalist seeking a meaningful career.’

‘No, it’s true, as I discovered for myself when I was sent by Barrymore to Bow Street in order to investigate.

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