Loach felt a bit wary of the return of the prodigal son, still officially his immediate superior.
‘Loach. Uh … good to be here again.’
‘Sir?’
He seemed a little nervous, unsure of himself. ‘Now, look … Just carry on with the parade … I’m a bit out of practice …’ He squirmed in his stiff uniform.
‘The parade’s done. They’re about to get stuck in.’
Standing with Freddy Calder while trying to ignore him, Viv Smith couldn’t help but overhear some of the conversation going on between Section Officer Bob Loach and SDO Rob Barker in one ear and some of the conversation going on about them among the newer Specials in the other ear.
‘Who’s he? Visiting fireman?’ asked one of the young Specials out of the corner of his mouth.
‘That is our “now you see ’im, now you don’t” Sub-Divisional Officer, SDO Rob Barker,’ another Special informed him.
‘Where’s he been that I haven’t seen him?’ inquired the young one.
‘Who knows? But I bet it’s put a bee up Loach’s left nostril.’
So much for that conversation, she thought to herself, turning away from them and instantly facing the fact that she would once again be spending an entire evening with plump Freddy. ‘Stuck with you again?’
‘You love having a hunk like me,’ Freddy boasted. ‘Admit it.’ Yeah, maybe a few billion years from now when the next Ice Age arrived.
She decided it was time to change the subject back to life in the real world. ‘D’you see what the cat’s dragged in?’
‘Barker, you mean?’ As he invoked Barker’s name, Freddy peered out of the corner of his eye at the SDO, who was talking with Loach. At that moment, Barker happened to glance at Freddy and Viv watching him. Freddy nodded, Barker acknowledged. ‘Must be two months since he last showed.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Viv murmured with a knowing smile.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ asked the naive puppeteer.
She spoke in undertones, the lower register reserved for gossip. ‘It means that when you’ve a little wife back home and a piece on the side, you don’t have much time for anything else.’
Freddy and Viv were the last of the Specials to leave the parade room. Rob Barker seemed to breathe easier, drop some of the formality and try a friendlier tack with Loach.
‘I’m sorry I’ve lumbered you with the work.’
‘I enjoy it,’ Loach was too quick to admit.
Rob eyed him more closely. ‘Yes? …’ Abruptly he shifted to another topic. ‘Well, I kept meaning to let you know why I couldn’t come in, but I never seemed to find the time …’ He hesitated. ‘It’s the wife. She hasn’t been feeling too good lately. Nothing serious, you understand.’ An insincere smile appeared, then vanished. ‘But worrying. You probably think I’m being over-protective, but I wanted to be close to her …’
‘That’s understandable,’ Loach sympathized. But then, if Rob’s having his troubles at home, why doesn’t he pass the baton to Section Officer Bob Loach, now that everyone could see that the baton would be in good hands? He wanted to appreciate Rob’s problems, but he had to admit there were other things he wanted as well. He made no secret of wanting to be the first millionaire Special (and he hoped he was on his way with Cougar Coaches); but he also wanted, and deserved, that promotion to SDO. In that case, perhaps Barker wasn’t the obstacle but rather the opportunity.
‘Does this mean you’ll be packing it in? The Specials, like?’
‘What? Oh no, no. Why would I do that?’ Barker inquired, his voice having hardened a few shades. He didn’t turn away from checking the roster sheets. ‘We’re a bit short tonight, I see?’
‘Oh, nothing I can’t handle.’
Barker gave him a calculating glance. ‘Maybe it’s just as well I came in tonight.’
Loach’s brow raised a question mark.
‘At least we can find something better for you to do, eh, Loach?’
What was he thinking? ‘Ah … well, I’ve still the paper work to do …’
‘No. That’s my job, remember? I haven’t forgotten how to do it.’
Damn, what had he stepped in now? Loach kicked himself for being such a clod. ‘I wasn’t suggesting –’
‘– ’course you weren’t,’ Rob granted, a smug curl in his smile. ‘So let’s not waste any more time, mm?’ He ushered Loach toward the door. ‘Sergeant McAllister is probably down there looking for spare bods to go out on panda duty,’ he explained.
Barker opened the door.
‘Always remember something, Bob. We’re all expendable. And the paperwork on this job doesn’t need a Ph.D.’
Bob Loach did not enjoy being shunted around like this. There was a little something about it that he decided to tell Barker in no uncertain terms.
‘There’s nothing else, is there, Bob?’
He was sorely tempted. He knew more of what was going on right now than Barker did, or ever would, and he could damn well say so to the wee dictator’s face.
… But that would be insubordination. Whether he liked it or not he had to respect the SDO’s rank. That was the cornerstone of any police organization, regardless of his personal judgment.
He shook his head and left. The lion would live to come out another day.
When the door closed, Barker was left in the parade room alone. As it should be, he reasoned.
Thought the job was all yours, eh, Loach? he smiled to himself. Not quite yet. And maybe not even then.
Walking along the rough pavement through a part suburban, part light industrial estate with Freddy, Viv looked around and decided that now was as good a time as any. She came to a halt near the alleyway.
‘I’ve got to have a quick puff, Freddy.’
‘Thought you were trying to give it up?’
‘I’m trying,’ she attested, adding the main reason. ‘Ginger doesn’t like it.’
‘Ginger? Who’s Ginger?’
She brightened at the prospect of talking about her amour, even to Freddy. ‘He’s a PC. With “Z” Division. He’s a real hunk, Freddy.’ Poor Freddy wouldn’t know one if he saw one, she mused.
‘But
