Hidden in Plain Sight (Detective William Warwick 2)

Paul leaned over the edge of the snooker table and lined up the white and red balls before taking his next shot. “Hopeless,” he said, as the red failed to fall into the corner pocket and careered back into the middle of the table, leaving William with a simple pot.

William took his place and made a break of 32, leaving Paul needing too many snookers to bother returning to the table.

“Do you have time for a quick drink?” asked William, as he placed his cue back in the rack.

“Sure, sarge,” said Paul.

“It’s only ‘sarge’ when we’re on duty,” said William after they’d sat down at a table in the corner of the recreation room. He took a sip of his pint before asking, “How are you enjoying your new assignment?”

“Delighted to have been transferred to Scotland Yard,” said Paul. “I dreamed about it, but never thought it would happen.”

“We’re lucky to have you on the team,” said William. “I may know the odd thing about stealing Rembrandts, but I’m still a complete novice when it comes to drugs you can’t buy in a high street chemist.”

“You’ll know as much as any dealer before long,” said Paul. “And by then you’ll want to lock them all up and throw away the key.”

“Including the addicts?”

“No. You’ll end up feeling sorry for them.”

“I already do. So how are you settling in?” asked William, changing the subject.

“Fine. I already feel like a member of the team.”

“Any problems?”

“None that I can’t handle.”

“No strange looks when people come across you for the first time?”

“Only from some of the older guys, who frankly were never going to accept me. But the younger ones are fine.”

“Anyone in particular giving you trouble?”

“Lamont’s obviously finding the idea hard to come to terms with, but that’s only to be expected. He’s old school, so I’ll just have to prove myself.”

“If it’s any consolation, I had the same problem with Lamont when I first joined the team. Don’t forget he’s Scottish, so he considers us both illegal immigrants.”

Paul laughed. “I don’t think it would make any difference with him if I’d been born in Glasgow rather than Lagos.”

“Have you worked out yet what the common thread is between the commander, Jackie, and their UCO?”

“No,” said Paul, putting down his glass. “I hadn’t given it a thought.”

“They’re Romans.”

“Roman Catholics?”

“In one. Whereas Lamont is a Freemason, so watch out for the strange handshake. And they’re all a bit suspicious of us because we’ve come through the accelerated promotion scheme. So we’d better stick together. Anyway, what made you want to join the force in the first place?”

“Too much Conan Doyle as a kid, and not enough Thackeray. It didn’t help that my father’s a schoolteacher, and thinks that if I don’t make at least commander, it will have been a waste of a good education.”

“I’ve got the same problem,” said William, raising his glass. “Although in my father’s case, nothing less than commissioner will do. But don’t tell anyone.”

“Everyone already knows,” said Paul, laughing. “But I still intend to give you a run for your money.”

“I look forward to that. Do you feel like another game?”

“No thanks. I’ve been humiliated enough for one night.”