Chapter 100

Chapter 100

‘He was definitely tipped off, no question about it.'

DC Wilson was standing by Charlie's desk, excited and breathless. But his tone was tinged with anger too, clearly furious that someone within the wider community had encouraged PC David Reynolds to flee.

‘Show me,' Charlie demanded.

Wilson handed her the tablet, on which were listed recent WhatsApp messages that had been received and read on Reynolds' mobile phone.

‘Check out this one,' Wilson continued, ‘sent just after 4 p.m. today. "Your cards are marked, better fold now." I mean it's on a WhatsApp group set up to organize poker meetings, so I guess you could kind of explain it away, but—'

‘But it wasn't like Reynolds was involved in a poker game in the middle of the day,' Charlie cut in, shaking her head. ‘Not when he was fleeing the bloody city …'

‘Exactly. Everyone in the group has a nickname, so it's hard to know their identities. Reynolds calls himself Alpha Boy and the message was sent by Big Dog. Obviously I can run the phone number, but it'll take me a little while to get a match.'

‘No need,' Charlie said, anger surging within her. ‘I'm pretty sure I know who that is.'

Turning away from her surprised colleague, Charlie called out to the rest of the team.

‘Right, listen up, people, we have a further development in the Reynolds case.'

A dozen heads looked up sharply.

‘DC Jennings, how long have you been part of a poker group with PC Dave Reynolds?'

A shocked silence permeated the room, as several of his colleagues turned to face him.

‘I'm sorry?' Jennings blustered. ‘I'm not sure I kn—'

‘You are Big Dog, I take it? You referred to yourself by that nickname the other day when bragging to your pals about your winnings. "Alpha Boy couldn't handle the Big Dog" was the exact phrase you used, I think.'

The colour drained from the DC's face, as the anger and shock in the room started to grow.

‘And Reynolds is Alpha Boy, correct?'

‘Well, I …'

‘I'll ask you again, how long have you been part of poker group with Dave Reynolds?'

‘Well, it's nothing major … just a few of the lads, well, we meet most Wednesday nights after work at the police social club. No big deal, just small stakes, a friendly thing.'

‘So friendly, in fact, that you felt honour-bound to warn your old mucker that he was about to be arrested. The chaps sticking together and all that …'

Furious, she passed the tablet to DC Malik, who took in the message with evident horror.

‘It's not what you think,' Jennings protested weakly.

‘It's exactly what I think. Which is why I'm going to have to ask you to step away from your desk, surrender your phone and devices and wait in the interview suite until I've had time to contact Professional Standards.'

‘Now come on, there's no need to be like that.'

‘There's every need, DC Jennings. Aiding and abetting a wanted felon is a very serious offence. I'm not sure we can dismiss this as lads' banter, can we?'

Jennings had nowhere to run and he knew it. He was scowling at Charlie, but his anger, his defiance, was just desperation and humiliation.

‘Right then, the rest of you back to your desks …'

Charlie turned away, but then paused, as an uncomfortable thought landed.

‘Actually, hold on a minute,' she continued, turning back to the team. ‘Before you resume your duties, is there anyone else in this unit who participates in this weekly poker game?'

A long, long silence followed, Charlie's gaze scanning the team, even as Jennings stared at the floor, and then slowly, reluctantly, two more hands crept up.