The Bone Saw Ripper: The addictive, unputdownable chilling West Yorkshire crime thriller and follow up to the Miss Murderer (A Detective George Beaumont ... 2) (The West Yorkshire Crime Thrillers) by Lee Brook

Author:Lee Brook [Brook, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Middleton Park Press
Published: 2022-04-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

“Detective Sergeant Isabella Wood,” Jim Smith said. “I’ve already had her side of the story, and now I want to hear yours, George.”

George looked stunned and made sure Smith was well aware. “Who on earth has been spreading lies like that?” Then, when Smith said nothing, George added, “Well, what did she say?”

“You know fully that this isn’t how it works, George. But unfortunately, I can’t divulge the whistle-blower’s identity. So, tell me your side of the story. Are you in a relationship with DS Wood, and did you use your senior position to force her into it?”

Had this come from Isabella? No. She said she wouldn’t say anything, and he trusted her. He’d never used his senior position on her for anything. She barely called him sir. As far as he was concerned, they were equal. Partners. She had passed the Inspectors’ Exam before he’d even met her. So no, this had come from somebody else. But who?

Whatever George said now could signal the end of his career. He was stuck. If Wood had told Smith about their relationship, it would be best for George to confirm it. But, on the other hand, if she had lied for him, and he told the truth, that would be just as bad. He knew she’d never accuse him of abusing his position with her.

“This is nonsense, sir.”

“Look, George. I’m doing you a favour. I could send you to Professional Standards, and they could interrogate you. You’ve been there before. It’s not nice. I respect you, Inspector, but I have issues if you are in a romantic relationship with a subordinate directly under your command. It’s a conflict of interest. I’ll be honest and tell you we don’t have a policy that restricts ‘fraternisation’ between officers and anyone up their direct chain of command. I wish we did, George because I have seen a lot of shit. There were a ton of sexual harassment suits back in the nineties and noughties.”

A conflict of interest. Jesus Christ.

“Sir, if you let me explain, I can.”

“Oh, you will be explaining. But first, I need to lecture you. There are many reasons why I’m so against romantic relationships in the office, George. I’ve seen them first-hand. One example is an officer’s partner being promoted over the better-qualified officer. I’ve also seen unsatisfactory performance appraisals being changed to positive ones, and let me tell you, George, the person was shit at their job.”

“Sir, I must—”

“George, let me finish. I don’t think you’re like this for one minute, and DS Wood has amazing potential and is brilliant at her job. You know, she’s next in line for DI, just as you are next for DCI. But George, I’ve seen more qualified people quit rather than work for the unqualified person promoted over them because they were shagging their boss. Seriously.”

“Sir, I—”

“Stop interrupting me, Beaumont. One of the worst situations I’ve ever seen is a subordinate who had no business knowing about a performance issue with another employee

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