‘It was always Assem Rashidi. No one else was allowed to handle payments.’
‘Could you earn extra for overtime?’
‘Of course. The key hours for any drug dealer are between ten at night and four in the morning. If you were willing to work through the night and at weekends, you could double your income.’
‘So how much could an experienced dealer hope to make in a week?’
‘A couple of grand.’
‘Over a hundred thousand pounds a year,’ said Sir Julian, feigning disbelief.
‘Even a runner still at school can make two or three hundred pounds a week. But if you got hooked on the stuff yourself, you didn’t last too long. And if you were caught skimming the goods, or with your hand in the till, they cut it off.’
‘I presume you don’t mean literally,’ said Sir Julian.
‘Quite literally,’ said Sangster. ‘On the dealers’ floor, with all the other dealers present to witness the punishment.’
Sir Julian remained silent for some time to allow the jury to take in what they’d just heard.
‘Did any of the victims ever report these barbaric atrocities to the police?’
‘Only one that I know of.’
‘And where is he now?’
‘I never seen or heard of him since.’
Sir Julian turned to look at the jury to see that several heads were bowed, but not the foreman’s; he was staring directly at the defendant in the dock.
‘Would it be fair to say that you are risking far more than losing a hand by agreeing to give evidence in this trial?’
‘I’m currently under police protection,’ said Sangster, ‘so I feel relatively safe while Rashidi’s in jail. But if he was released,’ he added, looking directly at the defendant, ‘I’d be on the first plane out of the country.’
‘And who could blame you?’ said Sir Julian. ‘I’m sure we all salute your courageous decision to give evidence in this trial, Mr Sangster, considering what the consequences might be should the defendant be set free.’
‘It’s the least I could do,’ said Sangster, turning to face Rashidi. ‘I only hope that by giving evidence today I’ll have played a small part in ensuring that justice is finally done for all those helpless victims, young and old, who have suffered at the hands of this monster.’
‘A little over-rehearsed,’ said Booth Watson, just loud enough for the jury to hear.
Sir Julian ignored the comment as Booth Watson’s junior rushed back into the court and handed his leader a note. Booth Watson smiled as Sir Julian looked up at the judge and said, ‘No more questions, m’lud.’
What’s your poison?’ he asked as he climbed on the stool next to her.
‘Half a shandy,’ said Nicky. She would normally have ordered a pint of bitter if she’d been out drinking with the team. But not this evening.
Jackie had warned her to be cautious, because it wouldn’t be too long before he made his first move. The Jerry Summerses of this world, Jackie had assured her, don’t hang about. They consider anything in a skirt is fair game. It was legendary at the Yard that when Jackie was a trainee constable an inspector had once placed a hand on her thigh, and she’d knocked him out with one punch. While it hadn’t helped her chances of promotion, that was the first and last time she’d suffered wandering hands.
‘Let him do the talking,’ Jackie had advised. ‘If he’s hoping to get you in the sack, he’ll start showing off, exaggerating his exploits. But if you think even for a moment that he suspects you’re working undercover, report back to me immediately and I’ll have you out of there the same day.’
‘A pint of bitter and half a shandy,’ said Summers, giving the barman a wink. ‘So how are you enjoying life on the beat?’ he asked.
‘Great fun,’ said Nicky, not wanting to admit that she hated being back in uniform.
‘And Liz?’ he asked tentatively.
‘I’m lucky to have her as my constable mentor.’
‘Just be careful. She’s not quite as friendly as she appears.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s bound to see you as a rival when it comes to promotion.’
‘But she’s got three years’ service under her belt.’
‘True, but unlike you, those three years weren’t spent at university. With a degree, you have a far better chance of accelerated promotion.’
Nicky had forgotten just how much of her backstory she’d already told him.
‘What’s it like being a detective?’ she asked, changing the subject.
‘Never a dull moment. You should think about taking the exam. You’d make a great detective.’
‘I’ve only been on the beat for a couple of months, but I must admit I have thought about it,’ she said as she took a sip of her shandy.
‘You know Liz failed the detective’s exam, so don’t raise the subject with her.’
Nicky did know, and hadn’t. ‘So, what have you been up to today?’ she asked.
‘Arrested a drug dealer outside the Midland Bank. Right little villain. Didn’t see me coming.’
‘On the high street?’ said Nicky.
‘Yeah. He tried to slip out of sight when he saw you and Liz coming down the road and walked straight into my arms.’
‘Good work,’ said Nicky. ‘We had to be satisfied with a shoplifter who’d stolen a tin of salmon.’
‘Life imprisonment,’ said Summers after a long gulp of bitter.
Nicky laughed. ‘Did your dealer put up a fight?’
‘No. Only wish he had, because I’ve got a black belt, so he would have soon discovered it doesn’t pay to mess with me.’
Nicky looked suitably impressed, even though she knew black was in fact brown. ‘It must be exciting never knowing what or who you’ll be facing tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow,’ said Summers, ‘I’m going to arrest a car thief who’s stolen one Jag too many.’
‘How can you be sure?’
‘I’ve had him under surveillance for several days. Even know the garage, the model and the exact time he intends to strike,’ Summers said as he downed his pint. ‘Got time for another?’
‘No, thanks. I ought to be getting home. I’m on the early-morning shift tomorrow.’
‘Where do you live?’
‘Peckham. I share a flat with a friend.’
‘A girlfriend, I hope?’
Nicky nodded as she finished her drink.
‘Is she one of us?’
‘No, Rebecca’s far too sensible for that,’ she said, immediately regretting her slip of the tongue. ‘She’s a librarian in Hammersmith. We were at school together,’ she added, delivering another snippet of her backstory. ‘Perhaps I’ll see you in the morning,’ Nicky said as she got up to leave.
‘I know where I’d like to see you in the morning,’ said Summers, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Nicky didn’t respond. But as she made her way to the station she couldn’t help wondering...
11
‘Do you wish to cross-examine this witness, Mr Booth Watson?’
‘I most certainly do, m’lud,’ responded defence counsel as he rose from his place. He readjusted his wig and tugged the lapels of his black gown, before looking down at a long list of prepared questions. He took his time before he spoke; an old ruse that guaranteed everyone would be waiting for his first question.
‘Mr Sangster,’ he began, fixing the witness with a gimlet eye. ‘I would like to take you back to the first words you uttered after you delivered your solemn oath, because I’m going to ask you the same question as my learned friend. Would you please state your name and occupation?’
The witness looked puzzled. ‘Gerald Sangster, and I’m currently unemployed.’