Chapter 44
It had been a couple of hours since his interview and Jean-Paul sat wondering what was going on.
The stomach cramps felt like a hot poker was being twisted inside him and every few minutes he sat on the dirty toilet emptying the seemingly never ending contents of his bowels.
He'd rung his buzzer over an hour ago to be let out for a fag but there'd been no response. The roll-up in his hand was falling apart as sweat moistened the thin paper. It wasn't that he wanted a smoke, just something to break up the monotony and take his mind away from the discomfort.
The rattling of the key in the lock raised his hopes.
As the door swung open the familiar figure of Rogers stood there with a polystyrene cup in one hand,
"Brought you a cup of tea, he informed him, entering the cell, "you don't look too well.
J.P took the cup,
"When's the doctor coming back round?
The detective looked at the jailer, who shrugged indifferently,
"Soon I expect.
"Can I go out for a fag then?
The jailer nodded. Rogers dismissed him with a nod of his head,
"I'll take him.
The jailer shrugged again before walking off leaving John-Paul alone with the detective.
As they walked down the corridor Rogers turned,
"Why do you do that shit?
JP continued staring at the floor,
"Dunno, can't stop.
"Have you thought about what I said earlier? I can make sure you get treatment you know.
Reaching the yard J.P stuck the mangled roll-up in his mouth,
"Can I have a light?
Pulling out a disposable lighter Rogers flicked the wheel,
"Think about it.
Once the fag was lit the detective pulled the gate shut and walked away.
Turning J.P saw he wasn't alone, sat huddled in a corner was a familiar face,
"Tommy, what you doing here?
The sallow looking figure looked up and smiled,
"You alright? I got caught choring in Woolies, what about you?
"Busted me this morning didn't they.
"Get anything?
"Not really, bit of personal. What you doing thieving in there, everyone knows it's bang on top?
"Desperate mate, you know how it gets. He gave a half smile, "You got anything on you?
"Does it look like it, J.P gestured at himself, "look at the state of me.
Tommy raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement,
"Did you hear about Kelly?
John-Paul nodded.
At that moment the jailer appeared at the barred gate and beckoned to Tommy,
"Come on, you've been out here long enough.
Tommy looked disappointed,
"See you later.
"Yeah laters.
The cigarette smoke tasted harsh and made JP feel sick. After smoking less than half he threw it to the floor and began pacing the yard, shivering.
Walking back into the office Rogers looked round at the assembled group sat smiling,
"What's happened?
"They got Frank Wilson guv¦
"Got him, where.
"He's on his way in now, bang to rights, sat with a known junkie in his car and five ounces in his pocket¦ oh and loads of grubby cash. We aint got all the details yet but he's in trouble.
Looking unconvinced Rogers gave a cynical smile,
"He'll sit it out and wait for his old man to sort things.
"Word is sarge he'll be in for a long wait.
Rogers grimaced,
"It's his kid, he'll still pull through for him. Almost makes me feel sorry for old Alfie¦ almost. Anyway, what about a first analysis of the gear, you know, by eye.
"Nah, looks completely different apparently, besides we know Treacey works for Jarvey, he's a shit bag, he wouldn't cross Jarvey by selling for someone else on the side, especially not Frank Wilson.
Looking thoughtful Rogers nodded his head,
"I agree, his old man he aint, still a nice little bonus. What's happening with Jarvey?
"No sightings nothing, he seems to be keeping a low profile.
"I bet he is. What about Tom and Simon, nothing from them?
"They're still outside his, but they say the place is empty.
One of the other detectives offered.
"Well tell them to stay there, no one down on the Riverside heard anything at all?
Systematic head shaking circled the office.
A detective who'd been drafted in looked thoughtful,
"What about if Wilson had got whoever was delivering for Jarvey to work for them?
Hawkins shook his head,
"No, no chance, if Wilson knew who dropped of for Jarvey then we'd know, good thinking though Garth.
Rogers looked impressed at his underling as he glanced round again,
"Any other thoughts?
The jailer looked through the barred gate,
"Doctor's here to see you.
Shivering J.P walked over,
"Bout fucking time, can I go in as well?
The jailer nodded opening the gate to let him pass.
Half an hour later J.P was back in the interview room.
"Look this no comment business isn't doing you any favours, Hawkins was telling him a few questions into the interview, "you want to start thinking about your own future instead of protecting people. You can't turn round and admit everything once the forensic lab's sent back their findings and expect leniency.
Rogers cut in,
"Listen if you need protection we'll make sure you get it.
The solicitor looked at the policemen sternly,
"At present the accusations of dealing aimed at my client are purely circumstantial, he's entitled to use his right to silence if he so wishes, please refrain from this verbal bullying.
Rogers looked exasperated,
"Fair enough, I can see we're getting nowhere here, interview terminated at eighteen hundred hours.
With that he flicked the switch on the recording machine and ejected the tapes.
While going through the formalities of sealing and signing them Rogers looked at J,P.
"It won't be him going to jail, he said indicating to the solicitor, " and he'll get paid whatever happens, you'd do well to remember that.
The solicitor looked outraged,
"That's quite enough detective Sergeant Rogers. Can you either charge my client or let him go.
Rogers shook his head.
Back in the office a young member of the team waved him over,
"Sarge, do you want the low down on Frank Wilson?
"Go on then.
The younger man smiled,
"'Parently his motor was clocked across town parked near a suspected drug dealing base, it looked out of place so the details were sent through. Came back as Frank Wilson's so they followed him.
"What he allowed himself to be followed?
"Nah, nah, had to call it off a few times but he drives a big flash motor innit, personal number plate, the works, easy to spot.
Rogers shook his head.
"It gets better guv.
"What do you mean?
"The people he was near deal in big amounts, his car was spotted outside some flats, chances are the keys are on him and there's a bigger amount there. He was seen stashing something in a park as well, but it didn't look enough for what he'd have had to purchase.
Rogers smiled,
"Nice one Nick, you've cheered me up no end.
Rogers looked round,
"Any sign of Jarvey yet?
Everyone shook their heads.
Rogers cursed, Jarvey could usually be spotted somewhere around town, but not today. Something was going on and he wanted to know what, things were too quiet down on the Riverside for his liking.
"What about the other dealers, when they were followed didn't anybody spot any suspicious looking characters?
"No sarge?
"Won't Wilson be enough for them upstairs?
This time it was Hawkins.
Shaking his head Rogers pulled a face,
"Nah, they want Jarvey, Frank Wilson aint no example, I doubt if anyone on the Riverside even knows who he is.
"What we gonna do then?
Rogers stood for a minute mulling something over,
"Fuck it, I'm flushing Jarvey out.
John-Paul sat with his knees drawn under his chin, the blanket pulled tightly round his shoulders. The little bit of medication he'd been given seeming to do nothing.
The sound of the door opening made him bring his legs down.
Rogers again.
Before the policeman could say anything J.P cut him off,
"Listen I know I'm in deep shit, but I aint grassing, no way, it aint worth it.
The detective stared at him for a moment,
"You're being bailed, he informed a surprised looking J.P, "you'll come back in a couple of weeks when we've got the results back from forensics.
J.P studied his face for signs it was a trick.
Rogers prompted,
"Well come on I haven't got all night.
Pulling himself to his feet J.P followed the detective along the corridor. The forms were already prepared and as the detective instructed him to the conditions of his bail and when he was due back J.P felt the effects of his turkey begin to subside.
Signing the papers he took his copy and almost skipped out of the door.
Watching him through the drizzle Hawkins turned to his superior,
"You sure this is the right thing to do?
Rogers nodded,
"Jarvey will wonder why he's back out on the street, at the least it'll panic him, but I'm hoping he'll want to know why and come looking for answers.
Hawkins gave a grim smile,
"Let's hope you're right.
"You know he likes to make a point.
Hawkins pulled a face,
"What now?
Rogers smiled,
"Now I think we take advantage of Frank's predicament and raid the old man, make the most of the extra man-power. I'll go and sort out some warrants.
