Pop Goes the Weasel

96

‘I’m going to make this easy for you. Here.’

Tony Bridges slipped an envelope across the pub table. Helen didn’t break eye contact, trying to see inside the man she had always trusted.

‘It’s my resignation letter,’ Tony continued.

Helen hesitated, then finally dropped her gaze. Opening the envelope, she scanned the letter.

‘Tony, this is premature. You’ve messed up big time, but maybe there’s a way we can deal with this, take you off operational duty, get you a desk job -’

‘No. I need to go. It’s best for me. And you. I… I need time to be with Nicola. I need to tell her what’s happened. And see if I can earn her forgiveness. It’s time for me to put her first for a change.’

Helen could see he was resolute. She was gutted to lose one of her best officers – one of her best friends at the station – but he had made his mind up and there was no point fighting him.

‘I thought you’d try and talk me round, so I also dropped a copy into Harwood’s office on the way here.’

Helen couldn’t help but smile. This was typical Tony – diligent to the end.

‘What happened, Tony?’

Tony looked her straight in the eye as he responded, refusing to duck his responsibility:

‘I was weak. I wanted her and… It’s not an excuse, but my life has been so… barren. So empty. And she offered me something I didn’t have. Truth is, I’d probably still be with her if she hadn’t… I needed to do it. Needed to remind myself what’s important. What I love. I know now that I want Nicola. I want her to be happy, us to be happy. I’ve got some money put away, so… so I’m going to spend some time with my wife.’

Helen was struck by his sense of purpose. For a man who’d been so lost, who’d fucked up so badly, Tony was suddenly completely clear in his mind what needed to be done. His strength of feeling was admirable, but it was still a terrible waste.

‘I know I could try and wheedle my way out of it, but I’ve betrayed my wife and I’ve betrayed the Force. When I first sat down with Melissa I told her about Angel – what we knew, what we didn’t know – and she created Lyra to fill in the gaps. Told me what I wanted to hear. She would never have been able to lead us down a blind alley if I hadn’t revealed things, confidential things, about the investigation. I was suckered by the oldest trick in the book. To protect you, to protect the team, it’s best I go.’

Helen was about to interject, but Tony wasn’t finished.

‘If it’s ok with you, I won’t go back to the station again. I’d prefer that they remember me in a good light. As I was.’

‘Of course. I’ll square it with HR and I guess your rep will be in touch. I’ll try and get the best deal for you, Tony.’

‘You’ve done enough already. I’m just sorry that ultimately I did so little.’

With that he stood up, emotion suddenly ambushing him. He clearly wanted to be gone and Helen didn’t stop him.

‘Take care of yourself, Tony.’

He raised his hand as he left, but didn’t turn round. He had been one of her most promising officers, her sounding board, and now he was gone. Angel was still out there and Helen was more alone than ever.