The Dirty Dozen

Chapter Nineteen

‘How many cops does it take to throw a prisoner down the stairs?’ the Colonel asked, grinning at the others seated around the table.

‘None, he fell,’ Cam answered, and everyone laughed even though they’d heard the joke before.

Stanley put his hand in the whip glass and removed some pound notes.

‘Same again, lads?’

There were nods and yeses around the table.

‘Stewart, phone call for you!’ the landlord shouted from behind the bar.

The Colonel tutted. ‘That’ll be your missus wondering what you’re up to.’

Kingston shook his head drunkenly. ‘She don’t know the... number for the... for the pub...’

‘Must be Katie then,’ the Colonel teased.

‘I frigging hope not... Shee who it is while you’re ordering the drinks, Stanley. And tell ’em I’m not here.’

Stanley went to the bar.

‘Who’s calling Stewart?’ he asked.

The landlord handed him the phone and said, ‘Bill Murphy.’

After a brief conversation, Stanley quickly came back to the table.

‘Where’s the bloody drinks?’ Kingston asked.

‘It was Murphy. He wants us all back in the office right away.’

Bax frowned. ‘Bloody hell, we’ve had three pints each. He’ll go apeshit.’

Kingston laughed. ‘Three, is that all...? Then why do I feel pished?’

‘Cause you’ve been knocking back the whiskys as well,’ Stanley said.

‘We all booked off duty before going on the piss, so we’re not here in job time,’ the Colonel chipped in.

‘Then let’s have one for the road,’ Kingston said, downing the rest of his beer.

Stanley shook his head. ‘Murphy sounded in a bad mood — I think we should go now.’

‘You’re right. Get a pint of water and two Underbergs for Stu, then help me put him in my car,’ the Colonel said, pulling Kingston up from his chair.

Jane was at her desk typing up her report when the Colonel, Teflon, Stanley, Cam and Bax returned from the pub.

‘What’s happening, Jane?’ Stanley asked.

‘I don’t know. Murphy asked me where you all were. He wants an office meeting.’

‘Well, thanks for spoiling our evening by telling him,’ the Colonel moaned.

‘My pleasure.’ She grinned.

‘Has he called everyone in?’

‘Just you lot and Dabs, as far as I know.’

‘It must be something big if he’s brought Dabs in as well,’ Teflon remarked.

‘Has Murphy had a reliable tip-off about the Leytonstone robbery?’ Baxter asked her.

‘Could be.’ She shrugged. ‘He’s in his office making some calls. I guess we’ll find out when he’s finished. Where’s Kingston?’

‘In the ladies’ loo spewing up.’ The Colonel grinned, but Jane didn’t rise to the bait.

Teflon flicked the kettle on. ‘I think we’d better get some coffee down us in case we have to go out nicking people tonight.’

‘Make Kingston’s strong and black,’ Stanley told him.

A pale-looking Kingston staggered in, then put a hand to his mouth, turned around sharply and headed back to the toilet.

Stanley sighed. ‘He’s never been able to hold his drink. I’ll go and see how he is.’

‘If he’s made a mess in the ladies’, make sure you clean it up,’ Jane said.

‘You want a hot drink, Jane?’ Teflon asked.

‘No thanks.’

She pulled her finished report out of the typewriter.

Baxter looked up as Stanley walked back in. ‘How is he?’

‘He’s still drunk, but much better than he was in the pub — said he reckoned some scampi he ate was off.’

Baxter shook his head. ‘Yeah, right.’

When Kingston came back he’d washed his face and combed his hair. He looked a bit better. Teflon handed him a coffee and he walked a little unsteadily to the photocopier, spilling some of his coffee along the way.

‘About earlier... I’m really sorry and I can assure you it won’t happen again,’ Kingston said, making an effort not to slur his words.

‘I hope not,’ she replied without looking at him.

‘Can we put it behind us and move on?’

‘I already have.’

He looked surprised. ‘Really?’

‘I don’t bear grudges.’

‘Thanks, I appreciate it. What are you copying?’

‘My report about the Wilson sisters and the men in the cafe.’

‘You going to show it to Murphy?’

‘Yes.’

‘I really think you should wait until Monday, Jane, especially if he’s called us in because he’s got some good suspects in the frame.’

‘He has.’

She picked up the copies of her report and took them to Murphy’s office.

‘What’s she up to?’ the Colonel asked Kingston.

‘I don’t know, but I think Murphy might be about to lay into her.’

‘Good, I hope he does it in here so we can all enjoy the moment.’ The Colonel smirked.

A few minutes later Murphy came out of his office with Jane at his heels.

‘Right, gather round and listen up.’

The room went silent with anticipation.

‘Before I brief you on the plan of action, I want you all to read WDS Tennison’s report.’

He nodded to Jane and she handed them out.

‘Is Katie coming in?’ Baxter asked.

Murphy shook his head. ‘Unfortunately, she fell over when she got home and cut her lip on a sideboard so she’s not feeling too good.’

‘Sounds like a lame excuse for I can’t be bothered,’ Baxter muttered.

Kingston noticed that Katie’s desk was uncharacteristically disheveled, but it was the bloodstained tissues in the bin beside the desk that really made him wonder what had happened while they were all in the pub. As Jane handed out her report, the rest of the team exchanged bemused glances.

‘Stop gawping and get reading!’ Murphy barked. He looked at Kingston. ‘A quick word in my office, please.’

As Kingston followed Murphy out, the Colonel dropped Jane’s report on the table and flicked the kettle on. Jane went over and stood beside him.

‘Are you not going to read my report?’

He didn’t look at her. ‘What for? Murphy’s just toying with you — he won’t act on anything you’ve told him.’

‘I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Do you really think he’d call everyone in at such short notice if he was playing games? It’s up to you whether or not you read it, but you might look stupid if you don’t know what he’s talking about.’

Murphy closed his office door then sat behind his desk.

‘You look like shit.’

Kingston sighed. ‘I feel like it, but I’ll survive—’

‘Hair of the dog?’ Murphy offered, opening his desk drawer.

‘No thanks. What’s Tennison’s report about?’

Murphy closed the drawer. ‘Don’t play the fool with me, Stewart. It’s obvious she’s already briefed you on it — even though she said she hasn’t.’

‘I haven’t read her report—’

‘That’s because she’s only just typed it up — but she inadvertently let slip she’d spoken to you about it.’

‘How?’

‘Some of her deductions, and the further enquiries she wanted to make, were too shrewd for someone who’s only been on the squad for two days — and only you and Katie were in the office when I left.’

‘I never meant to go behind your back. I just wanted her to try and get more evidence over the weekend, then speak to you.’

‘That’s fair enough. She’s done a good job as it is, and given us something positive to work on — which is more than the rest of the team so far.’

‘What’s made you change your mind about her?’

‘I haven’t. I still don’t want any women on the squad, but right now I need her as the go-between with the Wilson women. If their information turns up trumps, and we identify the blaggers with enough evidence to charge them, it’s a good result.’

Kingston suspected Murphy meant a good result for himself and not the team.

‘Did Tennison find out you told Katie to keep an eye on her?’

Murphy nodded.

Kingston looked surprised. ‘Katie grassed you up?’

‘She didn’t have a lot of choice after Tennison punched her in the mouth.’

‘Bloody hell. Tennison beat her up to get the truth out of her?’

‘Not exactly — Katie lost her rag with Tennison and went for her and she just defended herself.’

Kingston now realized where the bloodstained tissues had come from.

‘What made Katie go for her?’

Murphy shrugged. ‘I don’t know, neither of them would tell me. But I’ve got a feeling it might have had something to do with your... inclinations towards Tennison.’

‘I can assure you there’s nothing going on with Tennison. She’s made it quite clear she doesn’t mix business and pleasure—’

Murphy sighed. ‘You need to learn to keep your dick in your trousers, Stewart. Now might also be a good time to break it off with Katie, before you get your fingers burnt — or something else cut off. You’d be a fool to ruin your career and your marriage for the likes of her or Tennison.’

‘Will you be getting rid of Katie?’ Kingston asked hopefully.

‘No, she’s good at her job and I don’t have the time to go looking for a replacement. Right, let’s get on with the meeting,’ he said, standing up.

Kingston reckoned that Jane must have confronted Murphy about Katie spying on her, and that’s why he was now playing nice — to stop any formal complaint or internal investigation. But it was clear he was only using her. As soon as they’d nabbed the men responsible for the Securicor van robbery, he’d find a way to get rid of her.

Murphy looked around the office.

‘Anyone not finished reading Sergeant Tennison’s informative and detailed report?’ he asked as he entered the room with Kingston.

‘Do you think Murphy fell over and banged his head?’ Cam whispered to the Colonel.

‘Either that or he wants to shag her.’

‘Might be worth having twenty quid on him as well.’ Cam smiled.

‘Something you two want to share with the rest of us?’ Murphy asked with a dark look.

Cam shook his head, but the Colonel had something to say.

‘It beggars belief the men we’re looking for would openly discuss their plans in a cafe — and the stuff about the envelope, and what might or might not be in it, that’s all conjecture. Rachel Wilson could be making the whole thing up.’

Jane suspected he’d only skimmed her report.

‘She could, but I don’t believe she is. Rachel’s deaf, so can’t hear what’s being said or going on around her, but the cafe was busy on both the Monday and Friday, so it would have been noisy — the perfect cover for discussing the robbery.’

‘But the fact is you can’t be sure it was a robbery they were talking about — even more so as your star witness couldn’t actually hear them,’ the Colonel retorted.

Jane just shook her head.

‘That’s enough, Colonel, I don’t want to hear any more negative talk. Let me make it clear: we will be taking further action based on what Tennison has uncovered so far. Firstly, do any of the suspects’ names or descriptions mentioned in the report ring a bell with any of you?’

There was a brief silence in the room, until Stanley spoke up.

‘We could run it by our informants now we have some names and descriptions.’

Murphy shook his head. ‘I don’t want to risk our suspects being tipped off.’

Kingston thought differently. ‘The Colonel’s informant knows a lot of old school blaggers and he’s given us some good tip-offs in the past.’

‘I was going to see him first thing Sunday morning, Guv,’ the Colonel added.

Murphy thought about it. ‘OK, don’t be up front with any names. Just see what you can tease out of him. And take Tennison with you.’

The Colonel frowned. ‘Do I have to, Guv?’

Here we go again, Jane thought to herself.

‘Yes. She’s never dealt with any informants on these types of investigations. She needs to watch, listen and learn from someone as experienced as you.’

The Colonel wasn’t happy, but knew it was pointless arguing with Murphy.

‘Anyone else got anything positive to add?’ Murphy asked.

Baxter put his hand up.

‘Jane’s report mentions M1 might be a car dealer. Frank Braun, who me and the Colonel interviewed this morning, owns the Cortina that was used as the getaway car in the robbery, but he also has a 3 series BMW injection and a nice three-bedroom semi in Tottenham.’

Murphy and the others exchanged puzzled looks.

‘Forgive me for not being on the same wavelength as you, Bax — but what’s all that got to do with anything?’ Stanley asked.

Baxter sighed. ‘I thought it was obvious. Braun’s a fireman and seems to be living well above his means. If M1 is a car dealer maybe he gave Braun the BMW, or sold it to him cheap for letting them use his Cortina and reporting it stolen.’

Stanley nodded. ‘OK. Good point, Bax.’

The Colonel had more to add.

‘The PNC check we ran on Braun turned up negative and the crime report at Tottenham tied up with what he told us, but I still think there’s more to him than meets the eye. He said he knew Paul Lawrence, the lab liaison DS, and was working a fire scene with him when the car was stolen.’

‘Check it out with Lawrence, then revisit Braun and ask him where he bought the BMW and the Cortina—’

‘I know DS Lawrence. I can call him and ask about Braun,’ Jane suggested.

He looked at the office clock. It was nearly ten o’clock.

‘OK. It’s late but give him a call and tell him it’s urgent.’

As the meeting continued Jane rummaged in her bag for her address book, then used the phone on Katie’s desk. Lawrence answered after a couple of rings.

Murphy looked at Dabs. ‘How are we doing on the forensics?’

‘Ballistics confirmed the rifling on the bullet and firing pin marks on the cartridge cases showed they were all fired from the same handgun, which they reckon was probably a nine-millimeter Luger. Also, the blood we recovered at the crash scene and on the burnt-out Cortina was B negative, which is only found in about one point five percent of the population.’

‘What was the origin of the bullets from the casing stamp?’ the Colonel asked.

‘Germany, World War Two issue — like you said.’

Jane finished her conversation with Lawrence and returned to the group.

‘Sergeant Lawrence has known Frank Braun for about five years, and he’s socialized with him on a number of occasions. In his opinion Braun is honest and trustworthy, and he knows he isn’t living beyond his means. He won nearly thirty thousand on the pools a couple of years ago.’

‘That doesn’t mean he’s straight — even people with plenty of money get greedy for more.’ The Colonel shrugged.

‘As I said, go back and ask about the cars. Anything else to add, Colonel?’ Murphy asked.

‘There’s something in Tennison’s report that might be wrong, or possibly misconstrued—’

Murphy frowned. ‘I said I didn’t want any negative input.’

‘It’s not negative, sir, it’s just a thought.’ He looked at the report. ‘When M1 said, “You cover the front with Webley,” it might not be another man he’s referring to. Webley and Scott make handguns and shotguns — weapons that are commonly referred to as a Webley. It could be that M1 was telling M2, or Tommy as we think he’s called, to cover the front with a shotgun. If Webley isn’t a person, that means one man was at the front of the van with a shotgun — as all our witnesses reported.’

‘That’s a reasonable assumption,’ Kingston replied, and Murphy nodded.

Jane was surprised the Colonel had read her report, but knew he liked to show off when it came to his knowledge of firearms.

‘On that basis, she may have been wrong with other names,’ Cam suggested.

‘Rachel was adamant about Tommy but said she could be wrong about Judge,’ Jane admitted.

Murphy nodded. ‘You’ll all be working the weekend to see what else we can find out about these people. To that end I’ve paired you up where necessary and allocated the further enquiries I want made, which Sergeant Tennison will now brief you on.’

Jane lifted back the front cover of the flip chart, revealing the pairings and bullet points outlining their tasks.

‘Tomorrow morning Teflon and I will visit Nick, the Bluebird cafe owner, to see what he can tell us, and we’ll also look for a suitable single observation point that overlooks the cafe and snooker hall. The Colonel and Bax, apart from revisiting Braun, will also identify the car dealerships on Tottenham’s division and check the keyholders’ cards and Companies House to see if they can identify the owners or persons connected to the premises.’

‘If you reckon Braun is kosher, show him the artist’s impression of the getaway driver and the description the pub landlady gave us,’ Kingston added. ‘Same with the cafe owner.’

‘Have you arranged for the landlady to look through mugshots at the Yard?’ Murphy asked him.

‘They’re making an album up of convicted robbers matching the impression and description. She can only do Monday morning, but I’m in court, so maybe Jane could go with her as they’ve already met.’

‘Fine, but I want it done and not put off to another day,’ Murphy added.

Jane flicked over to the next page.

‘Stanley and Dabs will be visiting the Bruce Grove snooker club on the pretext of joining—’

‘What have they done to get the cushy job?’ Bax asked.

‘Dabs doesn’t look like Old Bill and Stanley has a lot of previous experience in undercover work,’ Jane replied.

‘Is that a polite way of saying Dabs is a short-arse and Stanley’s nondescript?’ the Colonel asked, raising a few laughs.

Murphy looked at Stanley. ‘I suggest you get rid of that moustache before you go there.’

‘Have a heart, Guv — it took me ages to grow it,’ Stanley pleaded.

‘And it will take you less than a minute to shave it off,’ Murphy retorted.

‘What am I doing?’ Cam asked.

‘As Katie’s off sick, I need someone to man the office.’

Cam’s expression couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Jane continued, ‘There are some important background enquiries that need to be done on the phone regarding the Wilson sisters, and PNC checks on names the others may call in with.’

She went around the room handing out the action sheets.

‘Are we working the weekend voluntarily or without notice for double pay?’ Cam asked.

‘Seeing as we’ve got something positive to go on, I’ll allow time and a half and no more than ten hours max. If you work beyond that then it’s got to be taken as time in lieu,’ Murphy told him.

Cam smiled. ‘Answering the phone doesn’t seem quite so bad, then.’

‘I’ve got a report you can type up if you get bored,’ Bax joked.

Dabs raised his hand. ‘If we can get a cup or glass that any of the suspects used in the cafe, I can dust them for prints and see if we get a match through fingerprint bureau.’

‘Good thinking, Dabs,’ Jane said. ‘I was hoping to go undercover as a waitress in the cafe for a couple of days, so I could do it then.’

‘That’s a bit risky, isn’t it...?’ the Colonel said.

Jane was quick to answer back. ‘I did waitressing before I joined the Met, but if you feel you could do a better job in a wig and apron then be my guest!’

‘I’m not having a dig at you,’ the Colonel insisted. ‘What I’m saying is if the men in your report are involved in the robbery, the slightest whiff of a copper could ruin everything.’

Murphy held a hand up. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll decide if and when any UC work is to be done in the cafe, Tennison. For now, just ask the owner to put anything they’ve touched to one side after he clears their table.’

Jane was upset but didn’t show it.

‘I was going to visit Abby Jones at her home address and get a statement from her. She’s the seventeen-year-old who witnessed the patrol car being shot at.’

Murphy looked apprehensive. ‘Right now, I’d rather not put an unreliable teenager through the trauma of being a witness to an armed robbery. Let’s see how the next couple of days pan out and I’ll reconsider you visiting her.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Jane said, understanding his concern.

‘Anything else?’ No one said anything. ‘Then I suggest you all head off home and get some sleep.’ He closed his pocket notebook.

‘We got much left in the whip, Sarge?’ Bax asked Stanley.

‘Enough for another round at least.’

‘Guv, you fancy a quick pint before last orders?’

Murphy shrugged. ‘Go on then, but no talking shop — you never know who’s listening... or lip-reading,’ he added with a smile.

‘Anyone else up for it?’ Stanley asked, and only Kingston declined.

‘I’ll give it a miss, thanks, my stomach’s still a bit dicky.’

‘Hair of the dog might help,’ Jane suggested, wondering if he was trying to avoid being in her company.

‘Go on then.’ He smiled.

Back in the pub, all the tensions and disagreements about the investigation quickly evaporated — even the mystery of Katie’s disappearance seemed to have been forgotten — as they got on with the serious business of drinking and taking the piss out of each other. It was only Murphy laying down the law, insisting the next round was going to be the last, that put a stop to the fun, knowing he didn’t want them hung-over or stinking of booze when they were out making enquiries and dealing with the public the next morning.

Stanley nudged Jane with his shoulder.

‘I thought I told you to chill out and settle in gently,’ he said with a grin.

‘And I told you I didn’t need your advice and could make my own decisions.’ She gave him a nudge back.

‘You’re like a dog with a bone when you get your teeth into an investigation.’

‘I’m not sure I like that comparison.’

‘No offence — you used to be a soft poodle, but now you’re like a Rottweiler.’

‘Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.’

He looked around, then whispered, ‘Seriously, though, you’ve done some solid work today. We all thought Murphy was sending you out on a dead-end enquiry, but you turned up trumps and the rest of the team’s dead impressed.’

She whispered back, ‘I don’t get the impression the Colonel’s that impressed with my work — or even wants me on the team.’

‘Ignore him. The Colonel likes to think he’s God’s gift to the Flying Squad. He’s just jealous that you came back with some strong leads and got Murphy’s attention. He’ll never admit you did a good job, but he did read your report and I’ll guarantee he’ll do everything he can to try and identify M1.’

She shrugged. ‘Hope it goes well in the club tomorrow.’

‘I’m looking forward to it — what other job would pay you time and a half to play snooker? Mind you, I might have to take a milk crate for Dabs to stand on so he can reach the table.’

Jane laughed at the thought of Dabs standing on a milk crate. It wasn’t exactly how she’d imagined the Flying Squad going after bank robbers.

‘Right, I’m off home,’ Jane said.

‘One for the road?’ Stanley offered.

‘No, I’m bushed. It’s been a long day and it’ll be an even longer one tomorrow if things go according to plan.’

She went over to speak to the Colonel before leaving.

‘What time and where are you meeting your informant on Sunday?’ she asked.

‘Between 7:30 and eight in Brick Lane Market, so I’ll meet you at Rigg around seven.’

Jane knew the location. ‘It’s easier for me to go straight there as it’s on my route in.’

‘Fine, I’ll meet you at the junction with Bethnal Green Road at 7:30, then.’

He raised his pint glass.

‘You did a good job today. Safe journey home.’

Walking to her car, Jane allowed herself a pat on the back — and not just because of the leads she’d uncovered; the fact that the team was beginning to accept her and admit she was a good detective was an even greater achievement. She heard footsteps as she unlocked the car, then saw Kingston walking towards her.

‘If you’ve come to apologize about earlier again, there’s no need.’

‘No, I just wanted to thank you for not telling Murphy you spoke to me before him. Turned out he guessed anyway and wasn’t that bothered.’

‘Maybe I’m finally winning his confidence.’

‘Don’t be too sure about that, Jane,’ he cautioned. ‘He still doesn’t want a woman on the squad.’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, he didn’t give me that impression. Why call an office meeting and praise my report in front of the team if he doesn’t want me there?’

Kingston sighed. ‘Look, Jane, Murphy told me you’d found out he was using Katie to spy on you, and about the fight you had with her. He knows you could drop him in the shit by making an official complaint and just wants to make sure you don’t.’

Jane wondered if it was true, or if Kingston was just trying to make out he was on her side so she’d soften towards him.

‘If you’re just trying it on again, you can forget it — I’m not interested.’ She got in her car.

He put his hand on the door as she tried to close it.

‘I meant it when I said it wouldn’t happen again. I like you as a person — and I respect you as a detective — but believe me, if what you’ve uncovered gets positive results, Murphy will take the credit for all your hard work then drop you like a ton of bricks.’

‘Leave me alone!’ she said, slamming the door shut.

He pulled his hand away just in time.

‘Have it your way, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

She started the engine, shoved it into first gear and sped off, leaving him on the pavement, shaking his head.

On the way home, she nearly went through a red light. What Kingston said had really touched a nerve. She no longer felt so sure about anything. Either he was lying about Murphy to try and get her into bed, or Murphy was just using her until he could kick her off the squad. She even began to wonder if Stanley was playing games with her when he said the rest of the team were impressed with her work. Her good mood had definitely vanished.

‘Screw ’em all!’ she said to herself.

From now on she was just going to focus on the investigation and keep a detailed record of everything she did, to cover her back. That way, she knew, if it was her hard work that solved the Leytonstone robbery, then no one could take it away from her.