In the Red Corner - Volume III of the Operation Jigsaw Trilogy by Hayden Mark

Author:Hayden, Mark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Thriller
Publisher: Paw Press
Published: 2014-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

Assistant Chief Constable Malik Khan sat rigidly in the chair, his gaze fixed on a point above Tom’s shoulder.

‘Before you begin this witness interview, I would like to register my objection to the presence of DC Hayes. It is my belief that her prejudice against me will jeopardise the investigation, and I would like her removed.’

Hayes sat back as if she’d been slapped. Tom could sense her looking at him in appeal, but he kept his eyes focused on Khan. She had to trust him to deal with Khan. No protest came from Hayes, and if she had protested, he would have gotten rid of her immediately. He waited to see if Khan’s gaze would drop down, but it didn’t. This was clearly a man with huge self-control.

‘You assigned DC Hayes to this investigation, sir. If she was good enough then, she’s good enough now. Has she ever made a formal complaint against you?’

‘You know she hasn’t.’

‘Has she ever been subject to formal or informal disciplinary procedures because of her attitude towards you?’

‘You know that, too.’

‘No, I don’t. I know that she was never sanctioned, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been subjected to unofficial guidance. Has that ever happened?’

‘No.’

‘Then we’ll continue.’

‘If you insist. I would like you to make a note of my objection.’

‘Are you sure? Very well: consider it noted. It will appear at the top of your statement for everyone to read.’

Khan realised he’d made a mistake. He was being petty, probably misogynistic and possibly racist. It wouldn’t look good if things went further. The man finally looked down from the wall and made eye contact with Tom. He drew a deep breath and said, ‘Perhaps I was getting on my high horse. As this is a witness statement, perhaps we’ll let it lie.’

Tom wasn’t going to have that, and Hayes deserved a lot better. ‘The implication being that if you are arrested, you might object at that point. Sorry sir. I’ll be proceeding with DC Hayes wherever it might lead us, objection or no objection.’

‘Then get on with it.’

Tom opened the file he had taken to Earlsbury division yesterday. ‘As part of our investigation into DS Griffin’s affairs, we have been checking all his cases, including those which never came to court.’ He held up the file so that Khan could read the name on the front. The ACC had to squint, but was too vain to get out his reading glasses. After a second, he realised what he was looking at.

‘In October last year,’ said Tom, ‘DS Griffin stopped a vehicle being driven erratically, and administered a roadside breathalyser test which proved positive. He arrested the driver and took him to Earlsbury police station, where the reading was entered into the custody system. It was over twice the legal limit.’

Khan clearly knew every detail of what Tom was telling him, but his self-restraint was back in place. The man wasn’t going to say anything until Tom posed a question.

‘However, when DS Griffin administered the test

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