The Sixth Precept by J. M. Dalgliesh

Author:J. M. Dalgliesh [Dalgliesh, J. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781096291299
Google: VxaczQEACAAJ
Publisher: Independently published
Published: 2019-04-28T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Caslin pulled open the left hand door and entered. He was in a short, squat rectangular building fashioned from a mixture of prefabricated concrete panels and an old corrugated roof that was most likely full of asbestos. He judged it was once a commercial unit, thrown up at some point in the sixties and approaching the end of its useful life. Nobody was present at the reception desk, little more than a table with a signing-in book and a scattering of information leaflets, home printed by the look of them. Sound carried from beyond another set of double doors in front of him and he migrated towards it.

Pushing open the door, Caslin found himself in one large room that stretched almost to the rear boundary but signs at the far end indicated there were toilets and changing facilities through the doors. In one corner there was a boxing ring with what appeared to be netting hanging around the exterior. Off to his right were various pieces of gym apparatus and on the walls behind these were photographs of gymnasts in action. Moving closer, Caslin noted that many of the shots were taken in this very building.

“Can I help you?” A voice came from behind. Caslin was startled having not heard anyone approach. There was another door to his left and they must have come from there. He smiled and took out his identification.

The man paid it a cursory inspection as Caslin identified himself. “Is this your place?”

“Aye, I’m Tommy Banner,” he said, smiling warmly. He was a stocky individual, tattooed and balding. “At least, I look after the day-to-day running of the centre.”

“You provide services for disadvantaged kids, is that right?”

“Yes, we do. We’re not limited to those from less well-off backgrounds, you understand. We also help where we can with vulnerable children, providing somewhere for the kids to go if the parents are working. Not many have a steady nine-to-five these days.”

“You say working with vulnerable children. The local authority must be involved somewhere along the line.”

“Oh, yes,” Banner agreed. “This centre is part funded by the local council. We would need them on board to be able to do what we do.”

“Where does the rest of the funding come from then?”

“Much of it comes from a local church group, whereas the remainder comes from donations or fundraising activities we take on ourselves. The children are often a large part of that; we try to arrange as many family days as we can. Doing so really brings the community together.”

“I see. How long have you been going?”

“These past four years.” The man exuded pride, obviously pleased with their accomplishment. “Funding is becoming an issue, though. Between you and me, I’m not entirely sure how much longer we can keep going.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Caslin couldn’t help but think the revelations surrounding Connolly’s activities would kill off any future source of local authority funding, let alone the black mark in the eyes of the general public.

“It’s not the first time we’ve been in this situation.

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