Captives

NINETY-FIVE

'I don't like having to trust other people, Gregson.' Police Commissioner Lawrence Sullivan held the pieces of paper in his large hands, shuffling them like playing cards. 'I warned you before, you'd better be right, otherwise I'll have you back pounding a beat quicker than you can imagine.'

DI Gregson looked on indifferently.

'I told you, if I'm wrong, I'll resign,' he said flatly.

Sullivan got to his feet, the three pieces of paper in his hand.

'These,' he said, brandishing the papers before him, could be the key to what's been going on, or they could mean an end to your career and mine. I hope you realise what a bloody risk I'm taking. Not only do I dislike having to trust other people, I also hate gambles. And this, to me, is a gamble.'

'There's too much evidence…'

Sullivan cut him short. 'I know, you've told me that before. Well, after considering it all, I tend to agree with your theory that things at Whitely are, shall we say, a little irregular. But while there's the slightest element of doubt I don't like it. A conspiracy is one hell of an accusation, Gregson. Like I said, you'd better be right.' He sat down at his desk, the exhumation orders laid out in front of him.

'Are you going to pass them, sir?' Gregson asked, looking at his superior.

'They're already signed,' said Sullivan. He handed them to Gregson.

'A helicopter will take you, Finn and two other men to Whitely. It'll pick you up in an hour. It shouldn't take more than about fifty minutes to get there.' He exhaled deeply. 'Gregson, I want a full report on what you do or don't find up there, do you understand? An investigation of this kind makes me accountable to the Government as well as to our own people and the prison authorities.'

Gregson nodded.

'Do you think I'm right, sir?' he finally asked, quietly.

'Would it matter one way or the other?'

'Not really. I'm just curious as to what made you decide to get these.' He held up the exhumation orders.

'You seemed to have a pretty strong case to support your argument and if there is some kind of conspiracy going on at Whitely, then it should be exposed. Or perhaps, for once in my life, I decided to gamble.' He looked at Gregson. 'But there's a lot on this bet. More than I think you either care or realise.' They exchanged glances once more then Gregson turned to leave.

'A full report,' Sullivan reminded him as he left. The door closed and the Commissioner was left alone in his office. He sat back in his seat, hands clasped together beneath his chin, gazing out of his window at the overcast sky.

'I got them,' Gregson said triumphantly, holding the exhumation orders in front of him.

'Now what?' Finn asked him.

Gregson explained about the helicopter, the impending journey to Whitely.

'I doubt if they're going to be very helpful up there,' the DS observed.

'I couldn't give a fuck,' rasped Gregson. 'They don't have to be helpful. The only thing that matters is, with these exhumation orders they can't stop us.'