Read Online Death of an Innocent by Sally Spencer - Free Book Online Page A

The countryside was not meant to be tamed, and true country-dwellers knew it. They understood that
it
didn’t bend to
you
. No,
you
bent to
it
– accepting it for the way it was and building your life around its natural rhythms. Then people like T. A. Taylor and Associates came along – churning up a landscape which had taken thousands of years to evolve, and putting in its place a safe, sanitized community which gave people who were brought up as townees the illusion of living a rural existence. It should never have been allowed. In fact, now he came to think about it, he wondered how, given the existing planning regulations, it ever
had
been allowed.
    There was a low rumble in the distance which heralded the imminent arrival of another car. Woodend looked up and saw Monika Paniatowski’s MGA. The dogs, poised only a few feet from him, heard it too, and their snarls deepened as they expressed their anger at the approach of yet another enemy.
    Paniatowski pulled her MGA up next to Woodend’s Wolseley and climbed out. She looked grim.
    â€˜What’s the matter, lass?’ Woodend asked.
    â€˜There’s something I need to know,’ the sergeant said. ‘A question I need an answer to right now.’
    â€˜An’ what question might that be?’
    Paniatowski took a deep breath. ‘Have you ever done anybody a favour in return for them doing one for you? Have you ever taken a bribe – or accepted a present which might possibly be construed as a bribe?’
    Woodend felt as if he had suddenly been doused in icy water. ‘You shouldn’t even need to ask that,’ he said bitterly.
    â€˜I know I bloody shouldn’t. But when things happen which start to make you question your own judgement, you
have
to ask. So what’s the answer? Have you ever taken any bribes?’
    â€˜Get back to the station, Sergeant,’ Woodend said coldly. ‘Get back right now, before your new boss – the excellent Inspector Harris – starts wonderin’ where you are.’
    â€˜I need to know,’ Paniatowski persisted, anguishedly. ‘If I’m going to put my own career on the line, I need a straight answer. Give it to me now, and I promise I’ll never ask again.’
    â€˜If you don’t know me by now⎯’
    â€˜
Please
! Please tell me, just this once,
Charlie
!’
    â€˜I’ve never taken a bribe in my life,’ Woodend said. ‘An’ if I’ve done anybody favours – which I have when justice has needed temperin’ with a bit common humanity – it’s never been in the hope of gettin’ anythin’ in return. Does that answer your question?’
    Paniatowski let out a gasp of relief, and then was instantly businesslike again. ‘You’re in big trouble.’
    â€˜I know that.’
    â€˜No, you don’t. At least, you don’t know quite
how
big it is. Have you ever heard of a bobby called Stan Evans?’
    â€˜DCI Evans, do you mean? Bullet-head Evans. Based in Preston?’
    â€˜That’s the man,’ Paniatowski agreed. ‘I met himself this morning. Mr Evans is the one who’s been called in to investigate the case against you.’
    â€˜Shit!’ Woodend said.
    â€˜Shit is right,’ Paniatowski agreed. ‘He’s only been on the job for a few hours, and he’s already started to turn the station inside out.’
    â€˜What the hell for?’ Woodend demanded. ‘The complaint’s a simple one. He doesn’t even need to be in the station at all.’
    â€˜You still don’t get it, do you?’ Paniatowski asked, almost pityingly. ‘Evans isn’t just interested in what you did to that reporter. He wants a lot more than that.’
    â€˜More of what?’
    â€˜More evidence. Evidence that you’re dirty.’
    â€˜He’ll not find any,’ Woodend said firmly.
    â€˜Are you sure?’
    â€˜Haven’t I