The Dirty Dozen

Chapter Twenty

Jane had a cheese sandwich and a glass of wine when she got home, then went to bed, but she found it hard to get to sleep, unable to get what Kingston had said out of her mind. Eventually she gave up, got out of bed and switched on the TV, then lay on the sofa under her duvet to watch the late film. It was New Face in Hell, starring George Peppard as a private eye who’s set up for a murder by Raymond Burr. It was odd seeing Burr playing a bad guy, as she always thought of him as Ironside, the San Francisco detective in a wheelchair. The film was gripping enough to take her mind off the evening’s events but, feeling exhausted, she switched it off before the end and went back to bed. She fell asleep almost at once.

The sound of the phone ringing jolted her awake. She fumbled for the switch on the table lamp and saw the time on her alarm clock was 1 a.m. She got up to answer the phone, assuming it must be someone from the squad, but instantly recognized her brother-in-law Tony’s voice. He sounded agitated and distressed.

‘Something bad has happened, Jane — I didn’t know who else to turn to.’

He sounded as if he was trying to control his breathing. She could tell he was close to tears.

‘Are Nathan and Pam OK?’ she asked anxiously.

‘They’re fine — it’s me that’s in trouble, Jane. I really need your help.’

‘Take a deep breath, speak slowly and tell me what’s happened, Tony.’

‘I’ve been arrested for something I didn’t do. I’m worried the police will frame me for it,’ he said, sounding even more distraught.

‘I need to know why you’ve been arrested before I can help, Tony,’ she said.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

‘What’s so bad you can’t tell me?’ she asked calmly.

Tony took a deep breath. ‘This woman said I sexually assaulted her... but I swear I didn’t.’ He started to cry.

Jane was stunned. ‘Jesus Christ, Tony — what happened?’

She heard a male voice in the background.

‘Time’s up, son. You got to go back to your cell now.’

‘Please, please help me, Jane,’ he begged, sounding like a broken man.

‘What station are you at?’ she asked quickly.

‘The one in Mayfair—’

The phone went dead, and Jane realized the officer she could hear must have put the phone down. She sat on the edge of her bed in total disbelief, wondering what to do. She knew there were a few police stations in the West End, but the only one with a Mayfair address was West End Central in Savile Row.

She ran into the living room and got her Met Police pocket diary out of her shoulder bag, then, looking in the alphabetical list of police stations at the back of it, found the number for West End Central. She went back to her bedroom and was about to pick up the phone, but hesitated, wondering what she should say, as she knew the custody sergeant wouldn’t be obliged to tell her anything. She didn’t even know if Tony had requested to speak to a solicitor, but doubted it as he would only have been allowed one phone call.

‘Christ, this is all I fucking need right now!’

She wondered if she should go to Pam’s house or call her. It seemed pointless, since she didn’t even know what the evidence against Tony was. The one thing she did know was that Tony had never been a violent man and had, in her eyes, always been a faithful and loving husband. He had his faults, but he was certainly no rapist. Her mind was made up; she decided to drive to West End Central Police Station and see if Tony was there, then find out for herself what the strength of the evidence against him was.

It didn’t take long to get to the police station, being just over a mile away from her flat. After parking in a back street, she was about to go through the foyer door to the front counter when she heard someone say her name.

‘Are you Jane?’

She turned and saw a familiar-looking man in his mid-twenties sitting on the foyer bench.

‘Do I know you?’

‘I’m Noel Harper. I was Tony’s best man. We met at the wedding and I remember him telling me you were a detective. Do you work here?’

‘No. I take it you know he’s been arrested?’

‘Yes, I was with him at the time. I’ve been trying to find out what’s happening, but no one will tell me anything.’

She sat down beside him. ‘When you say you were with him... did you actually see what happened?’

‘Yes and no, I guess. We were with a group of mates on a stag night in Leicester Square. When the pubs closed some of us went to the Empire Ballroom and this girl was all over Tony, but he wasn’t really interested in her.’

She sensed he was trying to hide something.

‘What do you mean by “not really interested”?’

‘Tony had a few dances with her, then he came back to the bar. She followed him over and asked if he’d buy her a drink.’

‘How many drinks did he buy her?’

‘Just the one, I think.’

‘Was Tony pissed?’

‘Not really.’

Jane didn’t believe him.

‘I’m going to be straight with you, Noel — and I need you to be the same with me, because I’m already feeling like you’re trying to protect Tony and that’s not going to help him. He phoned me after he was arrested and sounded in a hell of a state. I don’t know what the evidence is against him, but I don’t believe Tony would do what he’s accused of. If I’m going to try and help him, I need to know the truth. So, I’ll ask again: was he pissed and how many drinks did he buy her?’ she asked firmly.

‘He was drunk but coherent and bought her two drinks.’

‘Was he trying to get her pissed?’

‘No, she was half-cut when we got there and wouldn’t leave Tony alone. I think he thought she might piss off if he bought her a drink, but she kept holding him by the arm and kissing his neck.’

‘And did he reciprocate?’

Noel sighed. ‘Not at first, but when the slow music came on she dragged him back onto the dance floor. They stayed on the floor for a few songs and she was rubbing her body against his and they kissed.’

‘Did he touch her sexually or anything like that while they were dancing?’

Noel nodded. ‘He had his hands on her backside, but that was all. When they finished dancing, she went to the toilet and he came back to the bar.’

‘Did he say anything about her?’

‘No, but one of the lads said she was a slapper and Tony said he was just having a bit of fun and wasn’t interested in her. I noticed he had make-up on his shirt collar and said Pam would kill him if she saw it. He went to the toilet to clean it off and the girl came back. She asked where Tony was and I said he’d gone home. She looked upset and stormed off.’

‘Do you know her name?’

‘No.’

‘What happened when Tony came back from the toilet?’

‘It was late and I didn’t want to miss the last Tube home, and Tony was staying with me so I said we needed to go. He finished his pint, then as we left the girl he’d danced with suddenly appeared. She grabbed his hand and dragged him off down the alleyway at the side of the ballroom.’

‘And I take it he didn’t resist?’

‘No, but he must have thought it was funny as he was laughing. I didn’t go down the alley as I thought he’d come straight out. About a minute later a policeman and policewoman were passing. They stopped and looked up the alley and must have seen them. They went into the alley and the next thing I heard was a woman’s voice screaming, “Help me, help me!” I looked to see what was happening and the policeman had Tony pushed up against the wall and was putting handcuffs on him. He looked like he was in a state of shock when the policeman brought him out. I asked why he was being arrested and the officer said for indecent assault. I couldn’t believe it. I tried to tell the policeman she was lying but he told me to shut up or he’d arrest me for obstruction.’

‘Did you see the woman again?’

‘When the policewoman helped her out of the alleyway, she was crying, but I couldn’t see any tears. I looked her in the eye, and she turned away — it was obvious she was lying.’

‘Tony’s been a fool and got himself in serious trouble — but if what you’ve told me is the truth, there’s some things that don’t add up.’

‘What do you think will happen to him?’

‘I don’t know yet. The night duty CID will take a statement from the woman, then they may interview Tony or leave it to the early turn CID to take the investigation over. Are you happy to stay here for now?’

‘I’m not going anywhere until I find out what’s happening. Does Pam know he’s been arrested?’

‘Not as far as I know, though Tony would have had to give his name and address to the custody sergeant. I’m going to ask the CID to speak to you. Would you be willing to make a written statement if necessary?’

‘Of course, but I’m worried they’ll think I’m lying to protect Tony.’

‘I won’t deny that’s possible, but I’m a detective and I believe you.’

‘Tony’s lucky to have you as a sister-in-law.’

‘It’ll need more than luck to get him out of the mess he’s made for himself. If the investigating officer tells me to leave it that’s the end of my involvement—’

‘Even if he’s charged?’

‘Yes. I’m putting my neck on the line as it is by being here.’

Jane went through the foyer door to the front counter, where she showed her warrant card to the duty sergeant and asked if the night duty CID were available. The sergeant told her DS Simon Boon was in the CID office on the first floor, and let her into the police side of the station.

Entering the CID office, she saw a man in his mid-thirties, dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, sitting at a desk typing.

‘Sorry to disturb you. I’m WDS Jane Tennison from the Flying Squad. Are you DS Simon Boon?’ She showed him her warrant card.

He nodded. ‘A bit unusual for the Sweeney to be out at this time of night. What can I do for you?’

‘I’m here about the indecent assault suspect you’re dealing with—’

‘He doesn’t strike me as a hardened armed blagger,’ a suspicious-sounding Boon remarked.

Jane was direct. ‘Tony Harrison is my brother-in-law. He used his right to a phone call after his arrest to contact me at home. I’m just trying to find out what happened and if he’s likely to be charged.’

Boon looked surprised, stopped typing and sat back in his chair.

‘He told the arresting officers his name was Tony Durham and said he lived at thirty-three Melcombe Street?’

She sighed. ‘That’s my address. I suspect he doesn’t want my sister Pam to know he’s been arrested.’

‘Well, he’s certainly not done himself any favors by lying.’

‘Tony’s never been in trouble with the police before, so he’s unused to this kind of situation and probably not thinking straight. I’ve always known him to be a devoted husband and father, who’s never been unfaithful or aggressive.’

‘That’s debatable, considering the allegation against him and the state of the victim.’

‘I know your investigation is none of my business, but all I’d ask is that you speak to his friend Noel Harper, who is in the station foyer.’

‘I wasn’t made aware that Tony was with any friends, but I’ll speak to Mr. Harper.’

‘Thanks for your time and I hope you don’t think I’m trying to interfere,’ she said, not wanting to push her luck.

‘For what it’s worth... I’d be standing where you are now if it was my brother-in-law who got nicked. I appreciate you being up front about your connection to Mr. Harrison, and not trying to tell me the victim is mistaken or how to run my investigation. You do appreciate that whatever I may tell you is off the record?’

She realized he was prepared to listen to her.

‘As far as I’m concerned, we never spoke, and if anyone questions why I was here, you refused to tell me anything.’

‘Good, then we both know where we stand. What’s Mr. Harper’s version of events?’ Boon picked up his pen and a piece of paper. ‘I just want to be sure that what Noel Harper told you matches with what he tells me.’

‘That’s understandable.’

She told him everything that Noel had said. Finishing up, Jane emphasized the fact that the woman had dragged Tony up the alleyway and only started screaming for help about a minute later, when the uniformed officers walked towards them.

Boon put down his pen, folded up the notes and put them in his trouser pocket.

‘I spoke to the victim, Laura Brooks, when she was first brought to the station. She was clearly distressed and emotional, and said she felt embarrassed talking to me. I got the WPC who was at the scene to take a statement from her, but I’ll come to that in a moment.’ He picked up the uniformed officer’s incident report book, which contained the details of Tony’s arrest.

‘The arresting officers were passing the alleyway when they noticed a couple kissing and touching each other’s genitals.’

‘Outside their clothing?’

‘No, Tony had his penis out and his hand was up the woman’s skirt. Her bra was up over her breasts and he was touching them with his other hand. As the officers approached, the PC shouted out that they were committing a public indecency offence. Brooks looked at them and started shouting out for help and pushing Tony away. She told the officers she was walking through the alleyway when she was grabbed from behind by Tony, who ripped her blouse and sexually assaulted her. She also said she was paralyzed with fear until she saw the police officers and thought she would have been raped if they hadn’t come along.’

‘Was her blouse torn?’ Jane asked.

‘Yes, at the top, and one button was missing, which was recovered in the alleyway.’

‘Did the police doctor find any scratches or bruising on her consistent with an indecent assault?’

‘No, and he also did an inner thigh and vaginal examination.’

‘So, he found no evidence to support she was sexually assaulted?’

‘Correct. He also thought she’d had more to drink than she said she had, though that doesn’t mean she wasn’t assaulted. In her statement Brooks said she didn’t struggle as she feared being raped and beaten. She admits masturbating Tony, but only because he got his penis out and forced her to.’

‘Did she say anything about meeting him in the ballroom, then kissing and rubbing against him while they were dancing?’

‘She says he came on to her and touched her backside and she slapped him, and he must have been angry and followed her up the alleyway to attack her.’

‘Was she with anyone who can corroborate her version of events?’

‘She said her friend felt ill and had gone home, so she was alone in the nightclub.’

‘How convenient. Tony was with a group of lads on a stag night. If what Noel Harper told me is the truth, they can corroborate his version of events.’

‘If they’re willing to make a statement I’ll ensure the early turn CID speak to them.’

‘What did the WPC who took the statement make of Brooks?’

‘She was present when the Forensic Medical Examiner examined her, and after taking the statement she said that although she couldn’t prove Brooks was lying, she wasn’t convinced her story was entirely true.’

‘Why lie like that and accuse an innocent man of something he didn’t do?’

‘The WPC has a theory on that.’

‘Which was?’

‘She was frightened she’d be arrested for indecency in a public place and her husband would find out.’

Jane was surprised. ‘She’s married as well... Tony’s more stupid than I thought.’

‘I know it’s of little consolation where Tony’s concerned, but she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. The WPC noticed a white mark on her ring finger. When asked if she was married, Brooks became nervous and said she’d taken her wedding ring off because her finger had swollen up and it hurt.’

‘Did you contact her husband?’

‘The WPC asked Brooks if she’d like us to, but she said he was away on business and she’d tell him when he got back. She also declined a lift home and when she got in a cab I rang her home address. A man answered and said angrily, “Is that you, Laura?” I said I’d got the wrong number and put the phone down.’

‘Sounds like Brooks panicked, thinking she’d be arrested for public indecency.’

‘Possibly — if her allegation is false.’

‘Will you be interviewing Tony, or will you hand the case over to early turn?’

‘I’ll interview him after I’ve spoken to Noel Harper. If their stories match, I’ll release him on bail pending further enquiries and deal with the case myself. I’m back on day shift Monday.’

‘I know I’m pushing my luck but is there any chance I can see him?’

‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’

‘I won’t mention I’ve spoken to you or Harper — I just want to speak to him about my sister and tell him to be truthful.’

Boon stood up. ‘I’ll tell the custody sergeant you’re family and I’ve approved a short cell visit — but I’ll have to be present.’

‘Of course.’

As Boon opened the cell door, Jane saw Tony sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. As soon as he saw Jane he started to well up.

‘I’m sorry, Jane — I really messed up. I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done.’

‘So you should be, Tony — even more so for giving a false name and using my address.’

‘I was worried Pam would find out I’d been arrested.’

‘If you hadn’t fancied a sordid quickie up a dirty alleyway, you wouldn’t be here now. This is DS Boon, and he’ll be dealing with the investigation and interviewing you.’

‘I swear, Jane, I didn’t assault her — she’s lying.’

‘I’m not here to discuss your arrest or persuade DS Boon you’re innocent. He will decide what happens to you, but you must tell him the truth and give him the details of the friends you were with so he can interview them.’

Tony was surprised by her bluntness. ‘I don’t want to drag them into this mess.’

Jane could see through his apprehension.

‘Only because you’re worried your arrest might get back to Pam. You may need them as defense witnesses — especially if you end up in court. If a jury finds you guilty, you could get ten years in prison.’

She knew this would frighten Tony, but that was her intention.

He looked at her with fear in his eyes.

‘Ten years?’

She nodded. ‘And I don’t think Pam would stand by you either—’

‘Are you going to tell her?’

‘Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.’

‘I don’t want to lose Pam or Nathan. I love them both with all my heart.’

‘You should have thought of that before you went over the side with another woman!’

‘I didn’t mean to—’

‘Oh, so you accidentally went down the alley and, without realizing, fondled each other’s genitals?’

‘It just sort of happened... I’d had a few drinks and liked the fact another woman fancied me.’

‘Drink is not an excuse. Have you been unfaithful before?’

‘No, never. But I haven’t had sex with Pam since she had the baby. When the woman touched me, I felt aroused—’

‘So, you’re saying you would have had sex with her if the police hadn’t come along?’

He started to cry. ‘I guess so, yes.’

‘You need to listen to Jane’s advice, Tony. I’ll go and call the duty solicitor so he can represent you during the interview.’

Boon felt that the conversation was getting personal and he should give them some time alone.

‘Thanks, Simon. I won’t be much longer.’

She sat down next to Tony.

‘I know you’re not capable of attacking or sexually assaulting a woman, Tony, but you created this mess and I can’t get involved.’

‘Are you going to tell Pam?’

‘There’s part of me that says I should as she’s my sister, but I also feel you should tell her. Are the two of you having problems at home?’

‘She was fine when Nathan was born, then after a couple of months she became distant and didn’t want to have any form of physical contact with me. I thought at first she might be seeing someone else, but I knew I was imagining it and realized she was just worn out from looking after Nathan day and night. I tried to help Pam more with him, but she wouldn’t let me and kept saying I didn’t know what I was doing. She doesn’t even like me picking him up in case I drop him.’

‘Sounds like a bad case of the baby blues. You need to talk to her, Tony — tell her how you feel and try and resolve the situation.’

‘It’s worse than you realize, Jane. She screams and throws things at me. She goes berserk about silly little things that don’t really matter. I dread going home after work — I’m even sleeping in the spare room.’

Jane was shocked. She knew Pam could be quick-tempered and hot-headed at times, but she hadn’t noticed any drastic changes in her behavior. She wondered if Pam was depressed, suffering in silence and keeping her feelings from the rest of the family.

‘I’m not going to tell Pam. Whether or not you do is your decision, but like I said, the pair of you need to talk. Try and get her to speak to her doctor about her depression. He may be able to prescribe some medication that will help or arrange some form of counselling.’

‘I promise I’ll do what I can to help her.’

‘You can ring me at home any time if you want advice or just need someone to talk to.’

‘Thanks, Jane. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Do you think I’ll be charged later and then released?’

‘DS Boon seems a fair man to me. I’m confident he will look at all the evidence and re-interview the complainant before making a final decision, which means you’ll be released on police bail pending further enquiries. However, if she sticks to her story, it’s your word against hers, and our solicitors’ department may feel you should be charged. Then it’s up to a jury to decide who’s telling the truth. Hopefully it won’t come to that.’

‘Should I wait and see what happens before telling Pam?’

‘That’s up to you. But even friends may let the cat out of the bag unintentionally, so even if the allegation is withdrawn, Pam might still find out. My advice would be to go back to your friend Noel’s house first and take some time to reflect on what’s happened before you go home to Pam.’

‘I promise I won’t ever look at another woman again.’

Jane smiled. ‘It’s all right to look, Tony.’

She gave him a hug and closed the cell door as she left him to think about what he was going to tell Pam.