‘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.’