Good Friday

Chapter Fifteen

After a fitful night’s sleep, Jane got dressed for work. She was in a bad mood and very irritated when she saw Pearl had left dirty dishes in the sink.

‘You left all your carrot peelings by the sink,’ she snapped, ‘and your used plates.’

‘Well, how could I clear up when it was full of your bolognese mess?’ Pearl replied equally shortly. ‘But don’t get bad-tempered… if we do it together it’ll be done before I have to go to work.’

‘I have to go to work as well!’ Jane retorted.

Together they washed and dried the dishes, and Pearl wiped over the counters. She then threw the dishcloth towards the sink.

‘Right, all done and dusted. I’ve got to put some make-up on, then I’m off… if that’s all right with you?’

Jane rinsed out the dishcloth that Pearl had thrown over to the sink.

‘Thank you… I’m sorry I was so bad-tempered. I was late getting home last night, and I couldn’t sleep.’

‘How was the patient?’ Pearl asked, hovering in the kitchen doorway.

‘She died. It was very sad… she was a wonderful old lady.’

‘What did she die of?’

‘She was badly injured in the Covent Garden explosion.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry… Michael did tell me, now I think of it. I liked him. And he’s very attractive.’

Pearl went back into her bedroom, as Jane glanced over the now clean kitchen. She washed her hands in the bathroom and ran a comb through her hair before going into her bedroom to get dressed. She opened her wardrobe to take out a clean shirt, and then pursed her lips. She knew that last night she had carefully pushed back the hangers either side of the Chanel dress, as she wanted to let the creases drop from the frilly skirt. The dress was now squashed back alongside her other clothes.

Jane banged open her bedroom door catching Pearl just about to leave.

‘You were in my room again! You can’t deny it because you moved my clothes in the wardrobe.’

‘Oh yeah… I needed the hairdryer. I was just looking in the wardrobe for it, sorry. But that dress is just gorgeous. Bye for now…’

Pearl hurried out, leaving Jane to stew in her anger. She quickly got into her work clothes and was just about to leave when the doorbell rang. She didn’t press the entry buzzer as she thought it might be the postman, so she hurried down to the main front door.

‘Morning, Tennison.’ DCI Church was standing on the pavement. She looked at him with trepidation, certain he was there because of the fiasco the previous night.

‘I wasn’t expecting you, sir.’

‘So it would seem. And you didn’t check who it was before you opened the door. Now Daphne’s passed away you need to be more aware of—’

‘I saw you approaching out the window and was on my way out anyway,’ Jane lied to appease him. She’d had enough of being lectured to about her safety.

‘Right, well it’s always best to double-check. I’m here to take you over to Scotland Yard to meet Crowley. I would have called but, as it’s still early, I thought I might catch you before you left.’

‘Why does Crowley want to see me?’ Jane asked.

‘He wants you to look at some more mugshots, surveillance photographs and artist’s impressions of suspected IRA members. He’s hoping you might recognise the man you saw at Covent Garden.’

As they walked to his car she could feel the blood rushing to her head, certain she was in trouble. He opened the passenger door and Jane climbed in. The door was still sticking and he had to slam it hard before he walked around to the driving side.

‘You all right?’ he asked, starting up the engine.

‘Yes, I’m fine. My flatmate is just winding me up and I’m rather sad about Daphne. I was at the hospital last night. Is that why you’re here?’

‘In a way. How was your evening?’

‘Not that great, I was having dinner with that charge nurse I mentioned, Michael Mitchell, when he got a call about Daphne. I was a bit worried that he had given my number out, but he said he was on call if there was an emergency, so he had to give his contact details.’

‘It’s good to be wary and careful. He should have checked if it was OK with you.’

Church drove in silence for a while, then gave Jane a sidelong glance.

‘So, it’s not working out all that well with the flatmate?’

Jane sighed, staring out of the window. ‘Not really. She did at least help me with the washing-up this morning, but then I found out she’d been in my bedroom again. I specifically asked her not to go in there, but I knew she’d been looking through my wardrobe. She’s very nosey and is always asking questions.’

‘What sort of questions?’

‘Just being generally nosey about everything. I’m going to get a lock put on my bedroom door.’

‘She was vetted, wasn’t she?’

Jane turned to him in surprise. ‘Yes. She works at Madame Tussauds.’

‘Do you know what a “sleeper” is?’

Jane straightened her back. ‘Yes, I do. It was explained to me. Pearl doesn’t concern me in that way… I mean, she isn’t doing anything suspicious.’

She’d started to hope Stanley hadn’t told Church about her mistake with Regina the previous night.

‘But you just said she asks a lot of questions, and that she goes in and out of your bedroom. You need to start thinking whether she might have an ulterior motive. I’m sure she doesn’t, but just be vigilant. You didn’t tell anyone about the raid, did you?’

‘No, I didn’t know anything about the target address until the briefing at the station. Why are you asking?

‘Crowley thinks the ASU may have been tipped off just before we got there.’

Jane was distraught. ‘What! Are you suggesting it was me?’

‘No, not at all, Crowley thinks the Intelligence Services have a leak. Look all I’m saying is you need to be careful… we all do.’

Jane chewed at her lip and stared out of the window again. She began to wonder if she had inadvertently mentioned anything to Pearl after Crowley’s call. Could Pearl’s interest in her work, and what was in her bedroom wardrobe, add up to more than just nosiness? Pearl had asked Michael if he was a detective, and she’d asked about the hospital. Why had Pearl come back early when she knew Jane was cooking dinner? Had she innocently given more details to Pearl than she’d realised?

‘Here we are,’ Church said, showing his warrant card to the PC guarding the entrance to the underground car park at Scotland Yard.

Church had not given any indication that the reason he had shown up to collect Jane was that Crowley was concerned about her vulnerability. He was aware that the news about Daphne Millbank’s death, and role as a vital witness, might be leaked to the press and yet again reflect badly on the investigation. To minimise the risk of this an announcement had been organised and a statement would be made that a further victim of the Covent Garden explosion had died from their injuries.

The day after the raid Crowley had been to Brixton prison where he interviewed the four Balcombe Street IRA men, who, as Category A prisoners, were segregated whilst awaiting trial. Crowley hoped they would give him names of the men connected to the recent IRA activity in London. Three of the men all insisted that the bomb squad had fabricated confessions and convicted the wrong men for the Guildford and Woolwich pub bombings. One prisoner had given Crowley names for two men who were part of the ASU in London, but it turned out they were already in a Northern Irish prison and could not have taken part in either the Guildford or Covent Garden bombings. It infuriated Crowley that the Balcombe Street men were playing games with him and wasting time.

Jane accompanied DCI Church to Crowley’s office. He was as abrupt as usual and gestured for her to take one of the two chairs in front of his desk.

Jane sat with her hands folded in her lap, watching as Crowley laid out a series of photographs face down in front of her.

‘I know you’re adamant that the artist’s impression released to the press was not your recollection of the suspect. Nor did it match the deceased Daphne Millbank’s description.’ Crowley leant back in his large desk chair. ‘I want you to look closely at the photographs in front of you. Some are surveillance photos, others are of men who have been arrested on suspicion of being sympathisers with, or members of, the IRA — not convicted or currently in prison. Take your time, and try as best as you can to recall the moment you tried to stop the suspect at Covent Garden.’

Jane leant forward to the edge of the desk, turning over one black-and-white photograph after another. She took her time, studying each one in turn.

‘No, I’m sorry. None of these men look familiar.’ She tapped the surveillance photograph of the man Crowley suspected with her index finger. ‘I’m sure this wasn’t the man I tried to stop at Covent Garden.’

‘I don’t want to undermine your confidence, Jane, but I believe this man was involved in the bombing at Covent Garden, maybe even as an accomplice. The landlord of the Kentish Town flat stated it was this man he saw when he visited the premises two weeks ago.’

Jane glanced at DCI Church in the hope of getting some response, but he was studying the row of mugshots and surveillance pictures.

‘Would you be prepared to attend an identity parade?’

‘Yes, of course I would. But even if the man I saw was on it I can’t be sure I’d pick him out.’

‘We can get the men on a parade to turn sideways,’ Church added.

Crowley leaned across his desk, gathered up the photographs and stacked them like a pack of cards.

‘I’m not sure you’re aware how much we’re depending on you, Tennison. We have very little evidence to assist us in tracing the woman seen in the phone box. We’ve issued a press release asking for anyone with information to come forward, but we still only have one witness claiming to have seen her, so it seems unlikely we’ll be able to trace her.’

There was a knock on the door and a uniformed officer asked if DCI Church could take an important call from a member of his Dip Squad.

Church placed his chair back against the wall and glanced at Jane as he walked past her. She seemed anxious and was twisting her hands in her lap. Crowley would have to put more pressure on her. He went into an adjoining office to take the call.

‘Guv, it’s Stanley… Something’s cropped up that you need to be aware of.’

Church sat on the edge of a desk and listened as Stanley spoke.

‘Listen, we have a problem. The uniformed duty sergeant at Paddington Green Police Station just rang the office. His uniformed lads just arrested Tennison’s flatmate, Pearl Radcliff, and she’s being held for questioning. She gave WDC Tennison’s address and her name to vouch for her. When they asked her where Tennison worked she said in Woolwich at a lab, but thought it was a bit “hush-hush”. Paddington’s duty sergeant checked with police records who told them Tennison was attached to our squad—’

‘What’s Radcliff been nicked for?’

‘He wouldn’t tell me, just said to inform you as Tennison’s boss… and they want access to her flat.’

‘Tennison’s here with me… I’ll speak with the duty sergeant for more information and inform Crowley.’

He was just about to replace the receiver, but Stanley hadn’t finished. ‘I think Tennison’s a liability, Guv.’

‘What?’

Stanley gave DCI Church the details of Tennison’s interaction with the Vice Squad raid. Church listened without interruption as Stanley made it clear that Jane’s actions had placed the operation, and Regina, in jeopardy.

‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this. I told Tennison not to get involved and she blatantly disobeyed me!’

‘I think, Guv, she was maybe in a very emotional state, having just left St Thomas’ Hospital after Daphne Millbank’s death. But now, with the Radcliff situation as well, I felt that you should know.’

‘Thanks, Stanley.’ Church hung up, then called the duty sergeant at Paddington and after a brief conversation went back to Crowley’s office.

Jane was looking through a fresh selection of surveillance shots.

‘I’d like to speak with you alone,’ Church said to Crowley.

‘Jane, go and get a coffee while I speak with DCI Church,’ said Crowley.

‘Meet me outside reception in ten minutes,’ Church said sharply to Jane.

She gathered up her things and left the room, puzzled as to why she was being dismissed so abruptly. As soon as she left the room Church told Crowley about his conversation with Stanley regarding Pearl Radcliff.

‘For fuck’s sake, who is this Pearl woman and how much does she know about our investigation?’

‘She’s been living with Tennison for a few days. She’s been arrested for shoplifting. I told the duty sergeant at Paddington to hold her for questioning by your team. It gets worse, though. Last night Tennison managed to screw up a big job the Vice Squad took over from us.’

‘She’s a bloody loose cannon!’ Crowley exclaimed. ‘What on earth does she think she’s playing at?’

‘Paddington want to search her address. They suspect Radcliff may have more stolen gear there. I told them not to force entry and I’ll take Tennison there now to let them in.’

‘Well, give her a good grilling on the way. I want to know everything she’s said to this Pearl from the moment she met her… chapter and verse!’

‘That was already my intention,’ Church said and left the room.

Carrying her plastic cup of coffee, Jane went down to the Scotland Yard reception area to wait for DCI Church. When he arrived, he was abrupt and told her to follow him. As they were driving away in his battered car, Jane, her hands cupped tightly around her coffee, asked anxiously, ‘Is this to do with last night and my interaction with Regina Hernandez?’

Church frowned. ‘Why don’t you tell me about that?’

‘Last night, heading home from the hospital after Daphne Millbank’s death, I was on the bus when I saw Regina Hernandez. She was ducking and diving like a tart and it really upset me because we were supposed to protect her. So I got off the bus to approach her and I inadvertently interrupted a Vice Squad officer taking her into custody.’

Church closed his eyes for a brief moment. Jane had a terrible sinking feeling in her stomach. She had been warned not to get on the wrong side of DCI Church and she knew she was on it.

He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles went white.

‘I warned you to keep your nose out of the Hernandez situation, Tennison. Not once, but twice! I told you the Vice Squad were now handling the case. I don’t care if you have some emotional compassionate attachment to this young girl but she is now missing and the Vice Squad don’t know where she is. If Andres Hernandez discovers she agreed to testify against him we could find her body in a dumpster. If that happens, it’ll be on your head!’

Jane could feel her eyes brimming with tears.

‘Please don’t waste my time answering — and I assure you your tears will not help you in any way. If there wasn’t a more pressing issue to deal with right now, I would have you back in uniform directing fucking traffic.

‘Oh, and you may wonder why we’re driving back to your place. Your flatmate has been arrested… she gave your name and address to vouch for her.’

‘What?’ Jane was so shocked that she spilt some of her coffee over her skirt.

‘I had no choice but to tell Crowley about this: she also knew you currently worked in Woolwich and said it was “hush-hush”.’

‘Oh, my God — how? What has she been arrested for?’

‘She was caught nicking a book from Smith’s in the High Street.’

‘A book? Is this a joke? I mean, I know she’s always coming home with books but surely it must have been a mistake? She probably just forgot to pay for it… I mean, it must have just been an oversight.’

‘Well, we’ll see. You were uptight this morning about her snooping in your bedroom, and always asking you questions… Did you tell her you worked at Woolwich?’

‘I may have…,’ she replied, trying to catch her breath as Church concentrated on manoeuvring through the traffic, swearing at the congestion.

‘The local uniforms are waiting to gain entry to your flat for a search. I’ve given instructions to keep Radcliff in custody. Crowley will want to interview her in case the investigation’s been compromised.’

By the time they drew up outside Jane’s flat her nerves were in shreds. Two uniformed officers were waiting and as soon as Jane joined them they headed up to the top floor. Jane unlocked her front door and Church told her to sit in the kitchen whilst they searched Pearl’s bedroom.

Jane tipped her cold coffee down the sink and took a wet cloth to wipe down her skirt. Church stood in the doorway.

‘She’s got a room full of books. Half of them have been nicked from libraries, they’re knee-deep in there. Are you telling me that you weren’t suspicious? I mean, they’re stacked all around her bed in every available space.’

‘I knew she was always bringing books home, but I didn’t think she was stealing them.’

‘Well, the one she was caught nicking was the Guinness Book of Records. After what we’ve found, she might make it into the next one!’

Jane sat in the kitchen whilst the officers carried out books to the hallway, ready for them to be taken away as evidence. Church said he was going to Paddington to see Crowley and Stanley was coming over to sit with her. The uniforms had made a thorough search of Pearl’s room and found nothing else incriminating, but they also wanted to look in Jane’s bedroom and the loft.

Jane felt humiliated. She offered to make tea, but everyone declined. A uniformed officer brought in some flat cardboard boxes to assemble and fill with books. Stanley arrived about an hour later. He was his usual scruffy self and said very little to Jane as he assisted the uniformed officers separate the library books from others that might have been stolen from elsewhere. After another hour, the boxes were carried out to a paddy wagon to be taken to the property store at Paddington. Stanley came back to sit in the kitchen and have a cup of tea with Jane.

‘Right, the guv wants her belongings moved out of here by tonight. Crowley’s interviewing her just now. She’ll be held in custody until the theft charges are sorted, then taken to a magistrate’s court first thing in the morning. That should give you time to pack up all her gear. She’ll probably be granted bail, so she can return to collect it. Church has suggested that I should be here to make sure she leaves.’

‘But where will she go?’

‘That’s not your problem, sweetheart. You’re a detective constable in the Met, and there could be repercussions about her lodging here with you.’

‘Should I call her work and explain something about her not turning up?’

‘Again, luv, that’s not your problem. We just need to get her out of here, then it’s done and dusted.’

Stanley left. Feeling even worse, Jane went into Pearl’s bedroom. She found her suitcases and placed them on the bed, and started packing clothes. They were soon too full to close, so she began filling up rubbish bags, and placing them in the hall. In the drawer of the bedside table she found bundles of letters and cards, many with New Zealand stamps. She wrapped the TV in one of Pearl’s blankets and then filled a carrier bag with all her toiletries in the bathroom.

The hallway was quickly filled with Pearl’s belongings, and Jane took out the vacuum and began to go over the dirty, food-stained carpet. Jane stripped the bed and bundled the sheets and pillow cases into yet another plastic bag for her to take to the launderette. She polished and dusted every surface. By six o’clock the empty room was devoid of any connection to Pearl Radcliff.

The doorbell rang at eight and Jane looked out of the window to see who it was before she buzzed DCI Church up to the top floor. He gave her a glum smile when he saw the cluttered hallway.

‘Radcliff’s been given a hard time by Crowley, but to be honest, I don’t think there is anything you need to be concerned about. She’ll spend a night in the cells and at about midday tomorrow she’ll be brought here to remove all her stuff.’

‘I never even thought not to mention to Pearl that I was going to Woolwich. I feel so stupid…’ Jane said.

‘Don’t. These things happen. You could actually say we got lucky because if she hadn’t been caught red-handed you might have been arrested along with her, for dishonest handling of a ton of nicked library books.’ He grinned.

‘What did DCI Crowley say about it?’

Church shrugged and tried to make light of it. ‘He’s not exactly happy, but he’s calmed down a bit. Understandably, he wants Pearl out of your flat ASAP.’ The truth was that he had hit the roof, snapping that DC Tennison must be a bloody idiot not to have been suspicious.

Church stood awkwardly in the small hallway. He could see how upset Jane was.

‘Are you ready for the Good Friday do, then?’ he said, changing the subject.

‘Yes, I’ve got my dress.’ she said, rather lamely.

‘Well, it’s only a week to go. The tickets are sold out, so it should be a big bash. There’ll be cocktails before we sit down, and there’s a great menu. Then there’ll be a few speeches, and onto the dance floor with the band.’

Jane felt tearful as she nodded her head. Church reached over and took her hand.

‘Listen, don’t beat yourself up… these things happen. After tomorrow, you’ll be clear of her, and Stanley will be here to make sure she picks up everything. I suggest you just go to work as usual… Stanley will get her front door key and lock up afterwards.’

‘Thank you.’

Church let go of her hand.

‘I may have come on a bit heavy this morning but the reality is, Jane, you have to learn to not allow your emotions to override your professionalism. Regina Hernandez is a sad case but you’ll find there will be many more like her. There is not an officer in the Met who doesn’t have the faces of victims haunting them. It’s quite possible the Vice Squad will find her and this time endeavour to protect her. I’m not going to hold this against you. You have a lot on your shoulders with the situation here in your flat and with Crowley putting pressure on you.

‘You’ve been reassigned so you’re not at the explosives lab anymore,’ he added. ‘As from tomorrow, Crowley wants you working in the bomb squad office at the Yard. He didn’t give a reason but I guess it’s so he can keep a closer eye on you. You’ve had a long day. Get some shuteye and put this all behind you.’

Church waved his hand and she burst into tears as he shut the door behind him.