Nobody fucking move, King screamed at them, making one of the men begin to shake uncontrollably and grimace as he tried not to foul himself. Youre all under arrest for the two burglaries that happened on the estate last night. Ill assume you all know the caution off by heart so I wont waste my time explaining it.
I aint done no fucking burglary, man, Weller protested his innocence.
Shut the fuck up, Stuart, Williams told him, prompting him to exhale in exasperation and sink further into the reeking sofa.
Get up and turn around, King told the silent men who obeyed like lambs heading to the slaughterhouse as they secured them with quick-cuffs and sat them back down. You just stay there, he told Weller, who knew there would be little point in running.
The suspects safely trussed, King and Williams began to look around the spartan flat, but it was immediately clear the drug-ravaged men hadnt even bothered to hide their stolen booty and had merely piled it in the corner of the front room TVs, laptops, booze, everything. Even the jewellery lay on the floor.
Fuck me, Williams tormented them. You could have made an effort. But still they said nothing, occasionally looking to one another as if they were communicating telepathically their plight about to get significantly worse as King pulled open the only fitted cupboard in the room and stared inside almost disbelievingly.
Danny, he called over his shoulder without looking away from the contents of the cupboard. Youd better take a look at this. Williams could tell by his tone that hed found something even more serious than the stolen goods and approached almost in trepidation until he too stared into the cupboard and let out a long whistle before turning back to the men.
You two are well and truly fucked, he told them as King pulled the two black balaclavas, baseball bats, knives and almost most damning of all a roll of thick black gaffer tape from the cupboard and laid it all out neatly on the floor for the men to see.
Things just got very serious, gentlemen, King told them. This isnt just burglary any more this is aggravated burglary. You could get life imprisonment for this. Still they said nothing and King wondered whether they even cared. Their lives had been over the minute they started smoking crack and heroin. All right, he told Danny, the excitement in his voice suddenly replaced with a resigned sadness. Call up some transport for the prisoners, will you? And youd better let CID know whats coming their way. Its all over for these boys. By the look of them, has been for a while.
King was in the custody suite back at Canning Town Police Station, having just finished booking in the last of the three prisoners from the estate, when Marino appeared quietly on his shoulder.
Thats a top job youve brought in there, Marino told him as he began to examine the paperwork on the prisoners. Two for aggravated burglary and one for handling. Very nice. But I dont see a search warrant anywhere here.
Didnt need one, King answered with a stony face. We had reasonable grounds under Section 17 to enter and arrest, which then gave us power to search the flat under Section 18.
Reasonable grounds? Marino looked him in the eyes.
We followed Weller from a well-known handlers address to the squat and while we had it under obs we saw one of these slags approach and enter carrying a flat-screen TV I recognized from the crime report.
Uh huh, Marino smiled. Good work. Well take it from here.
Id like to keep the job, King asked, but Marino shook his head.
Sorry, Jack, he explained. Aggravated burglary is strictly a CID matter. They may be good for a few clear-ups elsewhere on the borough as well. Dont worry Ill make sure you and your team get full credit for the arrests. King shrugged disappointedly. Youve done your job and youve done it well, Marino tried to encourage him. You should be proud of it. Still King said nothing. And I for one am certainly looking forward to seeing what else your team can bring in. Now finish up your arrest notes and drop them on my desk when theyre done.
King again remained silent as he watched Marino walk away with the paperwork for the job that he felt should have been his. He quelled his rising resentment by reminding himself that one day in the not too distant future the likes of Marino wouldnt be able to take anything off him unless he ordered them to. He decided to console himself by taking his team for a celebratory drink at the nearby pub favoured by the local police. He reckoned they deserved it.
King entered the Trafalgar pub. It was a stones throw from the police station and therefore guaranteed to be popular with the local uniformed officers so long as the drinks were reasonably priced and place was kept clean; whereas the local CID preferred to hide themselves away in more far-flung watering holes, out of sight of indiscreet eyes. The pub was already busy and noisy with the late shift, but he found his small team easily enough, standing apart at the far end of the bar. He eased his way through the crowd and made his way over to them where he was greeted with smiles all round.
I thought youd bailed on us, Brown accused him.
Just had to finish up some paperwork, he explained.
Drink? Renita asked.
Of course, he told her. Lager a pint. Anything thats not Australian.
Thatll be the Heineken then. She pushed her way to the bar, getting served almost immediately despite the men whod been waiting before her.
Shame about having to hand over the burglary prisoners, Brown reminded him.
King couldnt be sure if he was just making conversation or setting something up. Couldnt be helped, he answered. Aggravated burglarys a CID matter.
Still, Brown eyed him, would have been nice to keep hold of a job like that take it all the way to court.
We could have dealt with it, Williams joined in. The job was as good as done anyway. We had the prisoners, the property. What else was there left to do?
Interviews, King pointed out, forensics, paperwork, pump them about other burglaries they may have committed. If wed taken it on wed be tied up in the station for the next two or three days. Better to let the CID have it so we can get on with patrolling the estate.
Or maybe the CID just didnt trust you to put the job together properly. Brown smiled unpleasantly just as Renita turned back towards them handing King his drink.
Maybe, he told Brown as he took the drink. Thanks.
Youre welcome. Everything all right? she asked.
Everythings fine, he assured her.
Aye, agreed the still smiling Brown. Everythings fine.
Drink up then, Sarge, Williams encouraged him.
On the streets its Sarge, King explained. In the pub its Jack.
Fair enough, Williams nodded, happy to oblige, as were the others. And heres to a solid start. They all raised their glasses and took a drink before King spoke again.
Its been OK, he pulled them back, but it could have been better.
You think, Renita asked. How exactly?
The burglars were good arrests very good, he admitted, but they werent locals. They werent faces. I doubt anyone on the estate even knew them. Probably glad to see the back of them. No one wants to see a couple of loose cannons running around with knives and baseball bats committing aggravated burglaries. Not even our delightful locals. As much as we can, we need to keep our efforts concentrated on the indigenous wildlife. Only thatll bring the estate to heel.
Or maybe the CID just didnt trust you to put the job together properly. Brown smiled unpleasantly just as Renita turned back towards them handing King his drink.
Maybe, he told Brown as he took the drink. Thanks.
Youre welcome. Everything all right? she asked.
Everythings fine, he assured her.
Aye, agreed the still smiling Brown. Everythings fine.
Drink up then, Sarge, Williams encouraged him.
On the streets its Sarge, King explained. In the pub its Jack.
Fair enough, Williams nodded, happy to oblige, as were the others. And heres to a solid start. They all raised their glasses and took a drink before King spoke again.
Its been OK, he pulled them back, but it could have been better.
You think, Renita asked. How exactly?
The burglars were good arrests very good, he admitted, but they werent locals. They werent faces. I doubt anyone on the estate even knew them. Probably glad to see the back of them. No one wants to see a couple of loose cannons running around with knives and baseball bats committing aggravated burglaries. Not even our delightful locals. As much as we can, we need to keep our efforts concentrated on the indigenous wildlife. Only thatll bring the estate to heel.
Aye, maybe, Brown partly agreed, but it could have been even better if we took the gloves off a bit. Its all very well and good sticking to the rules, but I dont see the local slags playing by any rules. Maybe we should even the game up a little, know what I mean?
No, King forbade it. I told you neatening things up is one thing. Anything other than that is not acceptable. Were better than that. We keep our integrity.
Whatever you say, Brown said in a sulk.
Youve got a lot to say for yourself, Renita told Brown. For someone who hasnt had an arrest on the Unit yet.
Yeah, thats right, Williams joined in. The only one who hasnt. Everybody smiled but Brown.
Yeah well, he defended himself, enjoy it while you can. Wont be long before Im top dog.
Come on, King ended Browns humiliation. Drink up. Its my round.
4
King felt something rocking him and dreamt he was on a small boat lost in a large sea until Saras voice broke through his tiredness and the remains of the alcohol and he realized he was in his own bed in his own flat with very much his own stinking hangover.
Time to get up, she told him unsympathetically loudly. Youll be late.
He sat upright too quickly, the sudden movement of blood in his head making him feel like he was back on the boat. Shit, he complained as he grabbed his head in both hands. What time is it?
Almost nine, she said without looking at him. Good night, was it?
He ignored her sarcasm, but could tell she was enjoying herself. Why didnt you wake me up?
Im not your keeper, she laughed.
Ahh, Christ, he complained as nausea crept up on him, making her laugh all the more.
And its a bit early to be celebrating your success, isnt it? she warned him. A few days on that toilet of an estate a few arrests and you think the job is done. I dont think so. You may be the talk of the borough right now, but youve got a long way to go before I for one will be convinced. Now Im off to do some real police work. Im on one of the response cars again. Some of us have to cover the whole borough not just one estate. Being the superstar that everyone thinks you are, Im sure youre capable of getting your own breakfast. She kissed him on the forehead and swaggered out the bedroom, while all he could do was flop back onto the bed and let out a groan of misery.
King entered the Units small office at Canning Town and found Renita and Brown already in full kit and ready to yet again take on the estate. Both somehow managed to look considerably better than he felt, despite having all left the Trafalgar at the same time. They passed knowing glances at each other and smiled at his misfortune, for the first time making him suspect theyd spiked at least one of his drinks. Still, hed enjoyed the sensation of numbness and the sleep that was free of his usual nightmare.
Morning, Sarge, Renita grinned from ear to ear. You look well.
Very funny, he told her, pulling a face.
You wanna be more like me, Brown unhelpfully advised him. Trained soldier, me. Take more than a few bevvies to bring me down.
Im fine, he lied. Nothing a decent brew wont sort out.
Ill get the kettle on, Renita came to his rescue, heading for the old kettle in the corner of the office theyd commandeered from nobody quite knew where. She was in the process of filling it with water from a tiny, dilapidated sink when a gentle knock on the doorframe of the office halted her. They all looked in the direction of the disturbance to see Inspector Joanne Johnston standing in the entrance to the office her green cat-eyes darting between King, Renita and Brown, as if she was deciding which mouse to pounce on first.
Good morning, everybody, she said cheerfully, if a little drily. They murmured good mornings in return, but still Johnston didnt enter. Just thought Id call by and congratulate everyone on the excellent start youve made. Youre quite the talk of the Senior Management Team. It wont be long before everyones beating a trail to your door wanting to know how you did it.
The team looked at one another before King answered for them. Thank you, maam. But its only a start.
Yes. Yes it is. Im glad you understand that, Johnston agreed with her famous pixie smile. But a good start all the same.
Thank you, King said again, unable to think of anything else to say.
Good, Johnston replied, her clear, sparkling eyes boring deep into Kings. I appreciate policing the Grove Wood can be very challenging and at times there may be a temptation to bend some of the rules to get the job done. She waited for a reaction, only continuing when none was forthcoming. Just make sure bending doesnt mean breaking. Again she waited for a reaction, but still the others just stared back at her until she gave up. Keep up the good work.
Well do our best, King told her with a look that let Johnston know he had nothing else to say.
Very well then, she smiled, looking satisfied with herself. Before I forget any progress with this sexual assaults on children business? The SMT wants him stopped before things become even more serious. Sexual assaults of this nature are not a Service priority, even on children, but serious sexual assaults are. So far hes gone no further than exposing himself and touching them in intimate places. If he progresses to making them perform sexual acts on him, or worse, itll make the whole borough look bad.
Were on it, King assured her. But its difficult.
Spare me the excuses, she dismissed his plea. Ive had enough of those from the CID. She paused as she checked their faces for a reaction. Just keep me informed. King nodded once as Johnston spun on her slightly higher than regulation heels and disappeared from the doorway. They stood in silence, as if they had been temporarily frozen for almost thirty seconds, before simultaneously breaking into stifled laughter, more with relief that Johnston had left than anything.