The bruises healed in Bath CID. Diamond was soon back on good terms with his team. One afternoon he was called to Georgina’s office. She was looking benevolent for once. ‘I have good news, Peter. This is in confidence. Ingeborg’s promotion to sergeant is approved.’
‘That is good,’ he said, delighted, ‘and not before time.’
But where there’s good news, there is usually bad as well.
‘Headquarters have been looking at your budget report. I’m afraid you’ve overspent again.’
‘I don’t think so, ma’am,’ he said.
‘I had to bump up the figures a bit before they went in.’
‘Oh?’
‘We were sent the invoice for a replacement suit.’
‘Not by me,’ he said. ‘I ripped a perfectly good pair of trousers on that gasholder thing, and I can’t wear the jacket without them. I’ve never claimed for clothing.’
‘You wouldn’t get it,’ Georgina said.
‘Who’s got the nerve to claim for a suit?’
‘Mr. Anderson Jakes. He said one of your officers was responsible. I didn’t want it itemised for the accountants to question, so it’s gone through as extra overtime.’
‘How was it damaged?’
‘Unfortunately it came apart at the shoulder seam.’
‘That’s repairable, ma’am.’
‘Apparently not. The more expensive the suit, the less likely it is that a repair will pass muster. This is a bespoke Savile Row suit costing over a thousand pounds.’
He was outraged. ‘A grand? My suits cost a hundred and forty-nine.’
Georgina passed no comment.