Free The Cop Killer by Harry Nankin

an eye on you, if you have some paper work to do keep on with that otherwise take out the probationer and have a walk down by the river side”.
    “There is some sort of boat trial going on; a police presence there wouldn’t go a miss.
    “Very well Sergeant” she replied
    “Oh” he called as he left the parade room for his office, “get the pot on, the usual good brew and take the Chief Super one up, he’s just arrived in a bloody foul mood I don’t know why”.
    “Yes Sergeant, very well” she said.
    She knew she was not doing very well and ought to put Striker in his place, but with the same attitude from the Chief Super, it seemed likely it would make things worse.
     Worse was what she thought when she arrived in the kitchen and whilst pondering on the situation another insult was added to injury when Ethel the counter clerk arrived
    “I say don’t forget me when you make the brews. What a blessing it is for you to arrive, to make the tea and do odd jobs”.
    “Thank you” replied Doris
    She had been startled and spilled some hot water; she was obliged to remove her tunic to dry off the wet area with a kitchen cloth.
    When she looked up she saw Ethel staring at her bare arms and the tattoo on the inside of each arm, but nothing was said.
     After a few moments the tea was made, “You are such a nice quiet girl, not like the last woman Inspector we had a real battle axe. It was like world war two between her and Striker it if hadn’t been for the Chief I think Striker would have been long gone.”
    That told her a lot, it seems Striker and the Chief were hand in glove, to quote a phrase, she thought she might try and contact her lady predecessor and discuss things.
    “Oh I forgot” said Ethel “coming back to your tea making your reputation is going before you, may I ask if you would be sure to make mine just as you make it for the Sarge and the boss, they sing your praises over your tea making”.
    “Ethel it will be my pleasure, your tea will be made exactly like theirs”. 
    She smiled having prepared the tea, this time in a pot and then dropped her additive into the mixture making sure they would all sample the same brew.
    Ethel went downstairs to await its arrival she took the packet of biscuits from the side of the table, with her.
    Doris first of all went upstairs and knocked on the door of Chief Superintendent Craig Denton-Smyth, she could see the letters QPM just waiting to be imprinted on the door.
    She knocked and received the immediate response “Enter”.
    She went inside and saw her boss seated, he was reading, he looked up, smiled and said
    “Ah Ling with my tea, another great brew I hope?”
    “Well I made it the same way,” she answered, very respectfully.
    “I see”, replied the boss, “ keeping out of harms way I take it, oh try to keep an eye on things that are happening, try to get some practical experience. Striker is a mine of information and experience, I myself even use him”.
    “I am certainly watching and noting everything he does sir”.
    “Fine that is fine”. He replied.
    She saw the highly polished shoes on the floor, “heavens” she thought, there on the floor where he normally keeps his pride of place footwear there was trace of mud on the carpet, she must have a word, seemingly, he must have trodden in something, God how she hoped it was dog shit.
    She thought she had better have a word with May Day the cleaner; better get her to move it even though it was only a small amount of mess. I wouldn’t like him to get that back on his shoes” Then she thought, “shit why bother?”
    On his desk, she saw a catalogue from the world famous Saville Row tailors Jacob and Co; her father used the same company. 
    It appeared her boss must have his uniforms made privately, no wonder he always looked so immaculate.
    She guessed he had something coming off, shoes being prepared, his stick polished and now the hand made woollen uniform to add to those he already had,