‘I don’t know…’
‘Look, I had to twist his arm to do this, and he may change his mind depending on what happens in the press conference. But if you agree at least you won’t be stuck behind a desk.’
‘How were you able to twist his arm? I thought what goes on at the Royal Arsenal was supposed to be secret?’
‘I know the detective sergeant there. It’s a terrific unit. They do all the bomb-related forensics and are funded by the MOD.’ Church laughed gently. ‘Better facilities than our dump! No matter what they ask you to do, show you’re keen and offer to help, then they will take you under their wing. When this is all over you’ll walk away with some good forensic knowledge about bombs and explosions, which would be a plus if you ever fancied joining the Bomb Squad. So what do you think?’
Jane thought about it. Being stuck behind a desk was not appealing. ‘I accept. Thank you.’
Church looked pleased. ‘Well, since Crowley is now off somewhere filling his stomach, what do you say to grabbing a bite in the canteen?’
‘He said he needed me to make a statement?’
‘Plenty of time for that. Come on.’ Holding the door open for her, he added, ‘Oh, by the by, have you ordered any tickets for the big dinner dance?’
It was clear that Church was changing the subject, but Jane was glad of the distraction.
‘I don’t think I want any tickets,’ she said as they walked down the corridor towards the lifts.
‘It would be a good way for you to meet everyone. There aren’t many posh nights out with the Dip Squad and Flying Squad lads, along with all the different CID squads based at the yard… and everyone can bring a partner, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends…’
‘I don’t have one,’ she said, as he pressed the button for the lift.
‘Well, you can come solo. Or one of our team can escort you and be your chaperon. At the end of the day, Tennison, they’re all just detectives having a good night out.’
In some ways, Church was relieved Jane was single as it was one less person, who would have been close to her, to worry about. The lift doors opened and they both stepped inside.
‘As far as I can see, a good night out for them involves getting pissed out of their heads.’
‘Well, I’ll put two tickets aside and maybe in the interim you’ll find a good-looking bloke to take with you.’
Jane smiled. ‘I doubt that will happen.’
‘With your looks and figure there’s no reason you shouldn’t. Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks. And I’m a good dancer, so you could always come with me!’
Jane smiled as they stepped out of the lift to head to the canteen. Jimmy Church was quite the charmer and for the moment Jane forgot about the consequences of her decision to do the press conference. Which is just what Church intended.
Chapter Six
Jane bought a ham sandwich and a coffee but she was too nervous to eat. Church remained affable as he wolfed down his bacon sandwich. He asked her about her parents and Jane told him about their fears for her safety.
‘I should have called them yesterday. I did try, but the phone was constantly engaged. I feel really guilty about not getting through to them. Pam, my sister, also came over as she had been worried about me, and she suggested I spend the night at my parents’.’
‘Do you get on with your sister?’
‘Yes, sometimes…’
‘But she doesn’t live with your parents?’
‘No, she’s married, they have a flat in Kilburn.’
‘What does her husband do?’
‘Tony? He’s a carpenter. Pam runs a local hairdressing salon.’
‘Do they have kids?’
‘No, but they’re keen to start a family.’
Church checked his watch as he drank his coffee. Jane was completely unaware that he was making a mental note of who might possibly need protection.
‘I’m not having a go at you, Jane, but you should have contacted the Dip Squad office to let us know where you were last night. If you are off duty and not at your usual place of residence, you need to call it in. We should always know where to contact you in the event of an emergency.’ He lit a cigarette. ‘And what’s this I hear about you moving out of the section house without leaving a forwarding address?’
Jane was shamefaced. ‘I’m sorry, but I only just moved into my flat. I did mean to leave my new address and phone number at the office.’
‘That was against police regulations, Tennison. Give me your contact details so I can make sure we have them on file for future reference.’
Jane jotted down her new address in her notebook, then tore out the page and passed it to him. He tucked it into his wallet, checked his watch again, and suggested it was time she went back to see Crowley.
Jane sat opposite Crowley as he handed her a prepared press statement.
‘I drafted this from what you’ve already told us about the events at Covent Garden.’
Jane read through the document and glanced up.
‘You make no mention of Daphne, or why I was at the hospital?’
‘Of course not — we need to protect her identity. How does everything else read?’
‘Well, it’s concise and correct, apart from the fact that it’s missed out the part where I tried to stop the suspect by grabbing his sleeve.’
Crowley sighed. ‘That’s because, Tennison, the IRA are saying that the bomb went off because you tackled the bomber. We don’t want to acknowledge that possibility in any way, shape or form. I’m not asking you to lie… we simply don’t want to draw attention to the issue.’
‘What should I say if the press asks about it?’
‘Don’t worry about it. Commander Gregson will be by your side and he’ll fend off any dodgy questions. Just read through it again so you feel confident that you’ll be able to handle it.’
Jane started to read the statement again as Crowley picked up his phone and dialled an extension.
‘Can you get DS Dexter to come into my office to take WDC Tennison’s official statement? Thanks.’
He replaced the receiver and sat drumming his fingers on the desk as Jane carefully finished reading through the press statement. A few moments later there was a gentle knock on his door.
‘Come in,’ Crowley barked. ‘This, Tennison, is DS Alan Dexter. He’s one of the Bomb Squad’s most experienced bomb disposal experts and has saved the day on more than one occasion.’
Jane looked up as Dexter walked in and nodded politely at her. He had an athletic build, about six feet tall, with blond hair combed back from his angular high-cheekboned face. He was wearing a casual soft leather jacket over a black polo-neck sweater and jeans. Dexter picked up a high-back chair, carried it over to the desk and confidently sat astride it, leaning his elbows along the back.
Dexter turned to Jane. ‘DCI Crowley has already briefed me about your involvement. Your reaction under immense pressure at the scene was admirable.’
Jane blushed.
Dexter took out a packet of Henri Wintermans Café Crème cigars and lit one.
‘Dexter is aware you grabbed the suspect, but it’s imperative at the press conference that we use the fact you shouted at the suspect to stop, he assaulted you and made his escape, then the bomb went off. You could not have caused the detonation. Do you understand, Tennison?
‘I understand, sir. But I am also very sure of the fact that his hands were not in his pockets… he swiped my hand away from him causing me to stumble and fall backwards. It was at that point that I saw him, but only his side—’