Chapter 16

The Deputation

He pulled into the car park, the following morning, noting its unusual popularity. When he entered his office, it was no surprise to find three familiar faces staring back at him.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was my birthday,” he smiled. “Before you say anything, I know what’s happened. I spent quite some time on the phone yesterday evening, twice.” He took the mug of tea Gandalph offered him, placed it on his coaster and slipped out of his jacket.

“Boss...” Taffy began.

Thurstan interrupted, “Gentlemen, I don’t know what you think I can do about it. The Chief Con has posted both Derek and Chalkie out and cunningly dressed it up as a career opportunity.” He saw the incredulous looks they returned. “Yes, I know that’s a crock of shit but what can I do? You have noticed I’m the sheriff of Stinky Brook?  I’ve no influence anywhere these days, I used all my jokers up a long time ago.” He took a mouthful of tea.

The Foetus took the opportunity. “We appreciate that, Boss, but the thing is, me and Soapy think he’ll be coming for us next and just wondered if you could put a good word in with someone out in Area before the Chief has us posted where we’d least like to go. We’ve been told, on the quiet, that somehow, he’s got it into his head we were... well, the words used were ‘part of the gang’.”

Thurstan glanced at Gandalph and returned with, “What? And you’re now trying to claim you weren’t? Get the tea kitty out, Stephen. I don’t think there’s thirty pieces of silver in there, but we might be able to scrape together some small change for each of them.”

He laughed as he leaned back in his chair. “Look, I think you’ll be alright.” Then added, waving a cautionary finger and pushing a blank sheet of A4 across the table, “However, as I know what a spiteful twat the Chief is, write down what your best three choices are, just in case, and I’ll make a few phone calls.”

When they’d finished, he said, “And as it looks like there might a snitch in the office. If I was you, I’d be subtly letting people know your options here today are the places you’d least want to go.”

Soapy tentatively asked, “I don’t suppose there’s any chance you could wangle me a move here, working for you?”

The DCI released an apologetic half-smile. “I’m afraid not, David. My time here is finite and although I’m thinking of spinning it out as long as I can, I’m pretty certain my next posting is going to leave me wandering the deep dark bowels of the Central Property Office.”

Soapy’s face reflected considerable thought for a few seconds before he answered, “Well, it has its attractions but, much as I like working for you, Boss, I think I need occasional fresh air and sunshine more.” He pointed to Gandalph. “How come he’s here?”

Thurstan looked over his shoulder as the subject of the question advanced along the corridor with a tray of mugs and a tin of biscuits. “None of my doing, David. I think you’re best asking him yourself.”

As the tray was placed on a desk, Thurstan added, “Are you all here in your own time or the job’s?”

Taffy replied, “We’re not on duty until this afternoon, Boss.”

“Good. In that case, enjoy your coffees and pass me one of those Hobnobs.”

When the deputation had left, Gandalph rounded up the mugs and enquired, “So, where are Degsy and Chalkie being posted to, Boss?”

“The chaps didn’t tell you?”

“No, they haven’t been told. They just know they’re going soon.”

Thurstan quickly considered the consequences of divulging what may have been information given in confidence but decided to reveal his knowledge seeing as the specific words forbidding it had never been uttered.

“Chalkie’s being sent to the College of Policing, so at least there’ll be someone there with some common sense, and Derek’s posted to Wallasey as the uniformed Inspector covering Hoylake and Upton.”

“But Degsy lives the other side of the county, out Southport way.”

Thurstan shrugged. “It matters not these days, Stephen. Look at me, I’m in the same position, far side of Wirral to St Helens. You can’t get much further away than that.”

“Yeah, I’ll give you that. But to be honest, Boss, you did wind up the Chief Con a bit too often.”

Thurstan smiled, “Anyway, how’s the enquiry on those three regional drug squad names coming along?”

Wandering back down the corridor, his DC called over his shoulder, “I’ll get right on it when I’ve washed this lot, Boss.”