Red Herring Season: The Freeman Files Series: Book 22 by Ted Tayler

Author:Ted Tayler [Tayler, Ted]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

The Chief Constable stood and walked to the window.

“While you hid away in the Hub last week, Freeman, I kept my eye on DI Ferris and Ms Logan Barre.”

“Suzie didn’t discuss the details of DS Mercer’s special project with me, Sir,” said Gus. “I wouldn’t have pressed her for information, but she kept everything under wraps.”

“I wasn’t being critical of how DI Ferris handled things or suggesting she spoke out of turn,” said Kenneth. “Indeed, both women performed extremely well in tricky circumstances. Betty and I prayed for Cynthia at the weekend; she didn’t deserve any of this. As for Tom Brewer, well, you think you know someone. But, no, I need to tell you that DI Ferris had completed the investigation by Monday; apart from tying the ribbon on the paperwork.”

“I wasn’t aware of that, Sir,” said Gus. “What were they up to for the rest of the week?”

“I want Ms Logan Barre to have an insight into those opportunities that exist for someone with her capabilities. You met Vicky Bennison, didn’t you?”

“On the Gerry Hogan case, yes, Sir,” said Gus. “Suzie was in touch with Vicky several times after we wrapped up that mystery.”

DS Vicky Bennison had been badly injured during an anti-austerity protest march in London three years ago. The physical wounds healed, but the mental scars never left her. After leaving the police, disillusioned, she’d gone to work for a victim support charity in Abingdon. It was clear Vicky spent many hours rebuilding self-confidence and trust in others with the victims of a crime she met through the charity, despite the fact her personal battles continued.

Gus always believed Vicky’s bravery and tenacity were a significant loss to the police and convinced Suzie to meet with her and explore ways to work together. Only two months ago, Vicky had been attacked by the husband of one of the women that Vicky and the charity were helping. As a result, she suffered broken ribs, a damaged spleen, and a fractured skull. Suzie had visited Vicky in the hospital and helped her through her first few days at home.

Although Suzie had hoped to persuade Vicky to rejoin Wiltshire Police, that hope had faded.

“DS Mercer and I have kept tabs on the victim support charities in the county,” said Kenneth. “When we learned Vicky would never return to work with us in that capacity, we agreed we should ensure the work DI Ferris started should not be wasted. We owe it to DS Bennison to support those charities in any way we can. Ms Logan Barre has now seen first-hand what Vicky’s former colleagues face. Whether that’s where her future lies, I can’t say. It’s her decision.”

“I’ve always known Lydia was on a faster track than some of her colleagues,” said Gus.

“We wanted to keep you in the loop, Freeman,” said Kenneth. “It’s only fair. You had no say in the personnel you were given when you returned to the fold. Mercer and I hand-picked them, and perhaps, if we weren’t friends, we could move someone like Ms Logan Barre at a moment’s notice.

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