Lynda Plante - Tennison

It was coming up to five thirty when Frank, who was twiddling the dials on the CB radio, indicated that he had picked up something. Bradfield rushed over and pulled the headphone jack out so he could listen on the loudspeaker. Clifford said a woman walking a dog was passing and asked how much longer they would be. John said that due to the number of stoppages they had been forced to make it would be an hour or two after midnight, at the earliest.

Bradfield was no longer frustrated at having to play the waiting game, and he was glad to hear from the shoe shop that Silas had returned and the drilling had started again. He took Gibbs to one side and spoke quietly.

‘I’m popping out for a bit and will be back a little later with Kath Morgan...’

‘What’s the secrecy for?’

‘If you let me finish I’ll tell you... I’m going to get the bank manager, Dunbar, and bring him to the op so he can hear what’s going on for himself.’

‘Is that a wise move?’ Gibbs frowned.

‘I need him to open the vault when they get in. I’m also concerned there may be someone at the bank giving the Bentleys inside information and if it’s Dunbar the look on his face and reactions on the plot here may well give him away.’

Unseen by Clifford, Bradfield left the op via the staircase at the rear of the building and got into an unmarked car waiting in a side street. Gibbs, Frank and the other officers positioned in the flat remained, monitoring the radio action and the café.

Bradfield returned to the station and bumped into Kath on the landing as she was returning from the canteen.

‘Tell Tennison I want to see her in my office,’ he said bluntly.

‘Why, what’s she done wrong now?’

‘Nothing, just go and tell her,’ he said and walked off, but a suspicious Kath followed.

‘She’s my friend, not to mention an innocent naive probationer, and some of the team are beginning to notice the infatuated way she looks at you. She doesn’t take her eyes off you, and I’ve seen your little flirty glances to her. They’ll start makin’ jokes about it, the smutty bastards.’

‘Leave it out, Morgan. It’s my problem to resolve, not yours. Now do as I asked and tell Tennison to come to my office.’

Kath wished she could have said that she knew more, but not wanting to betray Jane’s trust she kept her mouth shut and went to find her.

Jane knocked on Bradfield’s door before going in, anxiously wondering if she was going to be on the arrest team.

‘Kath said you wanted to see me.’

He drew her by her hand into the room and closed the door.

‘Listen, I want to have a chat with you. Right now I have to be really on the ball and I need to iron a few things out with you.’

She smiled and kept hold of his hand.

‘You know what went down the other night — it shouldn’t have happened. And I think you should know that as much as I would like it to continue, it has to stop,’ he said, and released her hand.

‘Like I said, I have to be totally focused right now and you are a distraction. So I have made a decision. We agree that it was something that shouldn’t have happened and as you’ve done more than eight hours today you can book off duty and have a few days off.’

‘I don’t understand. I thought you liked me, and I want to stay on and see this case through.’

‘I do like you, Jane, but you really need to get some rest, you look exhausted. Why not get away from the section house? Maybe pop home and spend some time with your family?’

‘I would like to remain at the station, at least for tonight, please,’ she said quietly, hardly able to take on board what he was saying.

‘I have just given you an order. You’re officially off duty, so go home, and no arguments, all right?’

Her deep breaths made him feel really guilty and he couldn’t resist gently touching her cheek.

‘Come on, it’s for your own good. I’m sorry, but it’s not going to go any further between us. I should never have allowed it to get this far.’

She pursed her lips, trying desperately not to burst into tears. She swallowed and waited as he opened the door to usher her out.

No one but Kath noticed a forlorn-looking Jane picking up her handbag and leaving the incident room. Her heart went out to her and she followed Jane down to the ladies’ locker room.

‘Are you all right, Jane love?’

‘I’m fine, thank you... I’ve been told I’m off the investigation and to take some time out.’

Kath couldn’t help herself as she put her arms around Jane and hugged her. She suspected this was Bradfield’s way of stopping Jane getting too infatuated with him.

‘He’s only looking out for you as a probationer, Jane. The long hours are taking their toll on the experienced guys, so God knows what effect they must be having on you.’

Jane nodded, but was close to tears. She just couldn’t understand how he could have been so dismissive about their night together. She couldn’t look Kath in the eye for fear she could tell that it was not about being sent home but how hurt and humiliated she felt by Bradfield’s rejection. Kath lifted Jane’s head up, looked at her and sighed.

‘Come on now, sweetheart, don’t let him get to you.’

‘Has it been that obvious, Kath?’

Kath cocked her head to one side.

‘That you’re tired, hurt or infatuated with him? Listen, darlin’, this case is a big deal for Bradfield. He can’t afford to lose concentration or do anything wrong as his career’s on the line and maybe I should have warned you this morning when you told me...’

Jane didn’t want to hear any more and hurried out through the station yard. She didn’t want anyone to see she was so close to crying. She couldn’t even bear to get on the bus so decided to walk back to the section house feeling flushed with embarrassment. Had everyone known? Did they all realize how she felt about Bradfield? She walked fast feeling even more humiliated, fearing she’d been the brunt of jokes or snide remarks. The more she thought about it the faster she walked until she was almost running flat out.

It had been a lovely service, thought Renee as she walked out of the church and saw Nancy talking with two women she recognized, but hadn’t seen or spoken to for many years.

Renee smiled and nodded. ‘That was a right good send-off for your Eddie. The vicar said some kind words and the hymns were a lovely choice.’ Renee leaned forward, kissed Nancy on the cheek and then hugged her.

‘You ain’t going, is ya?’ Nancy asked.

‘I’d best get back home as my David’s not well. His leg’s been playing up badly of late and—’

‘I’m havin’ no excuses, Renee Bentley. David’s a big boy now and can look after himself so you’re comin’ to the wake and that’s that. Besides the Crane sisters are here, come up from Southend for the day. They was just sayin’ they ain’t seen ya in years, so we all need a good chin-wag and knees-up.’

Before Renee could say no the Crane sisters linked arms with her and pulled her along, asking how she was doing.

The Star and Garter in Cambridge Heath Road had a large rear yard with tables and was decorated with a beautiful array of late-spring flowers in pots and hanging baskets, but the snug where the upright piano was positioned was where they all congregated. The landlord greeted them with a sherry on the house. Laid out on tables were sausage rolls, sandwiches and bowls of jellied eels, prawns and cockles. On the bar counter there was a pint glass with a bit of paper stuck to it saying ‘Eddie RIP’. Nancy shoved the remainder of the money she had collected into it to pay for the booze, and others who hadn’t seen her before the funeral dropped in £1 notes.