his resemblance to a sad-eyed Labrador to a disturbing degree.
"I'm not with you, ma'am," he said.
"Never mind. I'm surprised Mr Armthwaite hasn't got Vice pulling them all in on indecency charges," Carol said.
"He did try it a few years back," Merrick confided.
"But the police committee had his bollocks barbecued for it. He fought them, but they threatened him with the Home Office. And after the Holmwood Three business, he knew he was already on thin ice with the politicians, so he backed down. Doesn't stop him slagging them off every chance he gets, though."
"Yeah, well, I hope this time our friendly neighbour hood killer has left us a bit more to go on, or our beloved leader might just pick another target for his next slagging off." Carol straightened her shoulders.
"Right, Don. I want a door-to-door of the businesses, now.
And tonight, we're all going to be out on the streets, talking to the trade. "
Before Carol could complete her instructions, a voice from beyond the tapes interrupted.
"Inspector Jordan? Penny Burgess, Sentinel Times.
Inspector? What have you got? "
Chapter 2
Carol closed her eyes for a brief moment. Dealing with the recalcitrant bigots in the chain of command was one thing. Dealing with the press was infinitely worse. Wishing she'd stayed in the yard with the grisly corpse, Carol took a deep breath and walked towards the cordon.
"Let me get this straight. You want me to come on board for the duration of this murder enquiry, but you don't want me to tell anyone?" The look of amusement in Tony's eyes masked his anger at the reluctance of influential policemen to accept the value of what he could do.
Brandon sighed. Tony wasn't making it easy for him, but then, why should he?
"I want to avoid any suggestions in the press that you are helping us. The only chance I have of getting you formally involved with the investigation is to persuade the Chief Constable that you're not going to be stealing the limelight from him and his coppers."
"And that it won't become public knowledge that Derek Armthwaite, the Hand Of God, is turning to the mumbo- jumbo men for help," Tony said, an edge in his voice betraying more than he wanted to.
Brandon's face twisted in a cynical smile. It was good to see that it was possible to ruffle that smooth surface.
"If you say so. Tony.
Technically, it's an operational matter, and he's not really supposed to interfere unless I'm doing something that's counter to force and Home Office policy.
And it is the policy of BMP to use expert assistance whenever it is appropriate. "
Tony snorted with laughter.
"And you think he'll accept me as " appropriate"?"
"I think he doesn't want another confrontation with the Home Office or the police committee. He's due to retire in eighteen months, and he's desperate for the knighthood." Brandon couldn't believe what he was saying. He didn't even voice this kind of disloyalty to his wife, never mind to a virtual stranger. What was it about Tony Hill that had made him open up so swiftly? There must be something in this psychology lark after all. Brandon comforted himself that at least he had harnessed that something in the service of justice.
"So what do you say?"
"When do I start?"
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