Lynda La Plante: Wrongful Death

‘It wasn’t pretty though, Anna. When I saw the look on his son’s face as he clutched his dead father, I asked myself if it was all worthwhile.’

‘Was it?’

‘The end result was out of my control, but the anger that raged inside me wasn’t. Like a fool I let it eat away at me and it nearly cost me my job, certainly my promotion, but worst of all it destroyed my marriage to Laura.’

Anna was shocked. ‘Are you separated?’

‘Yes, going to the States to get Fitzpatrick was the final straw. I’ve been a poor husband and father. I put my needs and the Met before my family. I’ve learned the hard way and I beg you, don’t go down the same road as me, because you will regret it in the long run.’

‘You will try and save your marriage, won’t you?’

‘Yes, and there’s only one way to do that. I-’

The office door suddenly flew open and Deputy Commissioner Walters walked in, slamming the door behind him, making Anna jump. ‘What the fuck do you two think you’re playing at?’ he bellowed, his face crimson-red and body shaking with anger.

Langton didn’t bat an eyelid. ‘Now let me think about this. Only one of two people could have called you. I doubt it was Lady Lynne as you served your purpose and would no longer be of any use to her. Ian Holme QC is of course in the same Freemasons Lodge as you so-’

Walters cut Langton off and exploded in fury: ‘You’ve both lied and given me the ammunition to destroy your careers and, believe me, that’s just what I’m going to do!’

Anna had never seen a senior officer lose his temper to this extent.

Langton remained calm. ‘DCI Travis acted on my orders. I was in charge of this case so if you’re pissed off then direct your anger at me.’

Walters ignored Langton and came face to face with Anna, prodding her on the shoulder.

‘You, Travis, have done nothing short of instigating a vendetta against Lady Lynne and her daughters!’

Langton took hold of Anna’s arm and gently ushered her to one side. She couldn’t believe it when Langton suddenly grabbed Walters by the scruff of his jacket and forced him up against the wall with a thud.

‘You speak to her like that again, or raise your voice once more, and I won’t be responsible for my actions,’ Langton said through gritted teeth.

‘Take your hands of me, Langton, or you’ll regret it.’

Langton squeezed Walters’ lapels tighter and lifted him onto his tiptoes. ‘You can threaten me all you like, but first YOU WILL apologize to DCI Travis. Do I make myself clear?’

A shaking Walters nodded and complied, though his apology was insincere as he muttered, ‘Sorry.’

‘Not good enough,’ Langton whispered to Walters, ‘try again with more feeling.’

‘I am very sorry for my overbearing conduct and rudeness.’

Langton loosened his grip, stepped away and a flustered Walters straightened his uniform.

‘Assaulting a senior officer is a serious offence and one for which-’

Anna was quick to interrupt. ‘What assault, sir?’ she said, stone-faced.

Langton smiled at her and glared at the flummoxed Walters.

‘You witnessed it, Travis, you saw what Langton did and it’s in your best interest to back me,’ Walters said, confident Anna would bear witness against Langton for the sake of her own career.

‘I saw nothing untoward, sir, and I can’t believe you’d expect me to lie,’ Anna replied and folded her arms defiantly.

Walters seemed lost for words but Langton wasn’t done with him yet:

‘Your sycophantic manner with Lady Lynne has ruined the investigation. She used you to find out what was going on and get to her daughter Aisa. You revealed evidence, which let them both walk away scot-free. Jeopardizing a criminal investigation is a serious disciplinary offence.’

‘Not to mention misconduct in a public office,’ Anna added and smiled at Langton.

‘You have no proof and the outcome is still one of suicide. I know your little chat with Lady Lynne was off the record, no tape, no notes, nothing. As for Travis, well she came running to my door over the Fitzpatrick case. She couldn’t wait to drop you in the shit to further her own career,’ Walters sneered.

‘You little prick. I know you fooled her and used it to shaft my promotion to Commander with the Mayor’s office.’

‘Well you’ve shafted yourself now. I’m suspending you both from duty whilst you are both investigated for misconduct in a public office. Your warrant cards… NOW!’

‘I told you I made all the decisions on the Reynolds case, so you only need to suspend me,’ Langton said.

Anna decided this was the ideal time to speak up. ‘I don’t think you want to suspend anyone, sir, it’s really not in your best interest.’

‘Just shut your mouth, Travis, and hand over that card,’ growled Walters.

‘Have you forgotten our little conversation yesterday?’ Anna asked.

Walters gave a cynical laugh. ‘How could I ever forget it, Travis? You shot yourself in the foot by lying to me. Like Josh Reynolds, you put the gun to your own head. Now give me your bloody warrant card.’

Langton looked despairingly at Anna, as if to ask what on earth she was playing at. He was beyond caring what Walters did to him, but Anna, he felt, was playing into the man’s hands and throwing away her career unnecessarily.

‘It’s okay, James, I can handle Deputy Commissioner Walters. Yesterday evening, he admitted how he duped me over the Fitzpatrick case to ruin your promotion. He called you disrespectful and belligerent and said he was going to use the budget cuts to “cull” you.’

‘She’s lying. I never said anything of the sort,’ Walters said adamantly.

‘Well let me refresh your memory.’ Anna calmly walked over to her handbag, retrieved her Dictaphone and held it up so they could all see.

Anna pressed play and took great delight, as did Langton, in watching Walters squirm as he listened to his voice say everything he had just so steadfastly denied.

Langton and Anna smiled at each other, and in unison turned to Walters to hear what had to say for himself. He just stood there his mouth gawping wide as it sank in that the tables had been turned and his career was in their hands.

‘Well that’s the most powerful piece of evidence I’ve heard all day,’ Langton said, rubbing it in.

Anna joined in. ‘I take it the suspension is rescinded and our sins are forgiven, sir?’

‘The case is closed as a suicide; make sure there’s a report on my desk by the end of next week please,’ Walters muttered and turned to walk out of the door.

‘Not so fast, Walters,’ Langton said, causing him to stop.

He turned as Langton walked up to him and grabbed hold of his hand. He winced in trepidation as Langton pressed his warrant card into his palm. ‘I’ve had enough of all this crap, so take this as my official retirement.’

Walters was relieved yet surprised. ‘Well if you insist that’s what you want…’

Langton held his hand up, indicating he had more to say.

‘I don’t ask for anything more than I deserve after a long and distinguished career in the Met. I’ve solved more bloody crimes, and put criminals behind bars, than you’ve had hot dinners, so you will recommend me for the Queen’s Police Medal.

‘You know I can’t do that.’

‘I don’t believe in the word can’t and neither should you, unless you want me to go straight down the Mayor’s office, followed by a solicitor’s, to let them listen to DCI Travis’s enlightening recording.’

‘There’s no need for that – I’ll see what I can do.’

‘You just make sure it happens, and while you’re at it, I want you to recommend DCI Travis’s promotion to Detective Superintendent on the next boards.’