Red Station Read Free

were failings, you can’t deny that.’ There was a hint of steely reproof in Paulton’s voice.
    â€˜Damn right there were. Like the last-minute reduction in team numbers. Economics, I was told. What kind of economics?’ Harry continued, before the other could interrupt, ‘We were in the middle of an operation!’
    â€˜You could have vetoed it.’ Paulton tapped the folder, his cheeks flushing. ‘If you felt there were insufficient resources at your disposal, you could have said . . . should have said. It’s every officer’s right . . . every officer’s judgement.’
    â€˜And let those drugs out on the streets? We’d have been crucified and you know it.’ Harry felt himself beginning to boil over. He breathed deeply. Losing it here and now wouldn’t do any good. But after the meaningless debriefing with the three Stooges earlier, he could sense the drawbridges going up all around him. He wondered if this was how establishment stitch-ups began.
    â€˜It was still your call.’ The dig came from the man in the corner; pointed, cold, unfriendly. Silent until now, he had clearly decided to wade in on Paulton’s side.
    â€˜Really?’ Harry turned, the heat rushing to his face. ‘And who the hell are you? When did you last go out on an op?’ He glared at the man, saw only empty, hooded eyes staring back from a well-fed face. ‘When did you last lie in shit and sewage for hours at a time, waiting to face men armed with automatic weapons – men who don’t give a flying fuck about law and order because of what they’re bringing in? You think they give a pig’s tit about “stop, police” or us waving our ID? They don’t.’
    â€˜The planning—’ Paulton tried to interject, but Harry was on a roll, sensing his future going up in a fireball.
    â€˜The planning was done by the book, with all the assessment boxes ticked, just the way the suits like it. But guess what – someone was too concerned with budgets, targets and key performance indicators!’
    â€˜Tate—’ The unnamed man lifted a pudgy hand, his eyes as cold as granite.
    â€˜It’s Mister Tate to you,’ Harry growled. ‘Those two civilians died because they were allowed to penetrate a compromised security cordon and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. As for not ‘managing’ the dead officer, that’s bullshit. He ran across the firing line. He was brave, certainly, but stupid; he should have done as he was told and kept his bloody head down.’ He could have added that in running out from cover, Parrish had probably exacerbated the situation and drawn fire on to the couple while using their arrival as a distraction. But he didn’t say it; the man was dead. ‘Ask Maloney – he’ll tell you.’
    â€˜Maloney has made his report. He has been taken off operational duties pending an enquiry.’ Paulton fixed him with a glare. ‘As of now, you are not to have any contact with him. Understood?’
    â€˜Why? That’s ridiculous. He’s my number two—’
    â€˜ Was your number two. As of this minute, we’re offering you a new posting. Overseas. It’s a career position, with additional benefits at an enhanced grade.’ He gave a thin smile. ‘Should help your pension entitlements, I’d have thought.’
    â€˜Jesus, the pension !’ Harry wanted to spit, he was so mad. ‘For how long? Doing what?’
    Paulton shrugged. ‘For as long as necessary. Until things calm down, at least. You’ll be briefed on arrival by your head of station. I recommend you take the post.’ He studied his fingernails. ‘Right now, I don’t see any alternatives.’
    They were protecting themselves, Harry knew. They wanted him out of the way while all the official wailing and gnashing of teeth went on and they could