terms.
"However," Jennings continued. "I am counting on you to ensure that the Constable's career in the PSNI continues for a lot longer that one week. I don't have to tell you that there's been a lot of adverse publicity about the composition of the Force. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is not simply a new name, it is a new concept. I don’t have to tell you that following the Patten Report the Chief Constable himself has decided that we must make greater efforts to integrate Catholics at every level of the Force. And that means into every station in the country whether it finds itself in the middle of a Protestant enclave or not. It’s a new world out there, Wilson, whether we like it or not. Contrary to what some people think we’re not exactly the Rainbow Nation but a lot of changes are going to have to be made and accepted."
"What the hell does the Chief Constable know about this Province?" Wilson spat out the words. "He's an Englishman sent here to impose civilised English morals on a force which doesn't easily take to civilisation. The culture of this Force is Protestant whether we like it or not and that means for a lot of our ‘colleagues’ Catholics just aren't welcome on board whatever the directives from the top say. We all know that it’s got to change but this is shoving it down people’s throats before they have a chance to digest it. The Chief Constable should haul his fat arse and his knighthood back to where he came from and leave us to fight crime the way we're supposed to. I'll tell you one thing, Roy. If you put this fellow into my squad," Wilson leaned forward and put his two large hands on the desk for emphasis. "You’re prepared to screw up whatever chance we have of bringing to justice any of the well-known psychopaths running around this town just to appear modern to the politicians."
Jennings met the hard look in Wilson's eye. "Firstly I don't appreciate the tone of your voice but I’m willing to overlook that for the moment. Secondly I think that you are particularly suited to look after this officer."
"Why me?" Wilson had to restrain himself from standing up, "Do you really want to get at me that badly?"
Jennings ignored the questions. "You've never been a member of the Orange Lodge, have you, Wilson?"
Things were certainly disintegrating, Wilson noted the progression from Ian to Chief Inspector and then to Wilson.
"I never saw the need." Wilson was used to having this old chestnut pushed into his face. He glanced down again at Kate's card. The mobile number had already erased itself from his mind. To hell with Jennings he would have to manufacture a situation where he could get his hands on that card. "But that doesn't mean that I've volunteered to wet-nurse some…", the word `Taig' was about to issue from Wilson's lips but he cut it off, "Catholic officer" Christ, he thought, I'm beginning to sound like Whitehouse.
"McElvaney doesn't need to be wet-nursed," Jennings said coldly. He tapped the file on his desk. "First class record in uniform and passed first in the class at detective training. You are not being sold a cripple."
"In that case maybe you'd like to propose this guy for membership in your local Lodge," Wilson said sarcastically.
Jennings was about to reply when the door opened and the Secretary entered carrying a tray holding two cups, a tea pot and a small plate of biscuits. She laid the tray on a small side table beside Jennings while studiously avoiding his visitor.
Wilson took his chance as Jennings turned sideways and palmed Kate's visiting card. He slipped it quickly from his palm to his pocket.
Jennings lifted up one of the cups
"However," Jennings continued. "I am counting on you to ensure that the Constable's career in the PSNI continues for a lot longer that one week. I don't have to tell you that there's been a lot of adverse publicity about the composition of the Force. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is not simply a new name, it is a new concept. I don’t have to tell you that following the Patten Report the Chief Constable himself has decided that we must make greater efforts to integrate Catholics at every level of the Force. And that means into every station in the country whether it finds itself in the middle of a Protestant enclave or not. It’s a new world out there, Wilson, whether we like it or not. Contrary to what some people think we’re not exactly the Rainbow Nation but a lot of changes are going to have to be made and accepted."
"What the hell does the Chief Constable know about this Province?" Wilson spat out the words. "He's an Englishman sent here to impose civilised English morals on a force which doesn't easily take to civilisation. The culture of this Force is Protestant whether we like it or not and that means for a lot of our ‘colleagues’ Catholics just aren't welcome on board whatever the directives from the top say. We all know that it’s got to change but this is shoving it down people’s throats before they have a chance to digest it. The Chief Constable should haul his fat arse and his knighthood back to where he came from and leave us to fight crime the way we're supposed to. I'll tell you one thing, Roy. If you put this fellow into my squad," Wilson leaned forward and put his two large hands on the desk for emphasis. "You’re prepared to screw up whatever chance we have of bringing to justice any of the well-known psychopaths running around this town just to appear modern to the politicians."
Jennings met the hard look in Wilson's eye. "Firstly I don't appreciate the tone of your voice but I’m willing to overlook that for the moment. Secondly I think that you are particularly suited to look after this officer."
"Why me?" Wilson had to restrain himself from standing up, "Do you really want to get at me that badly?"
Jennings ignored the questions. "You've never been a member of the Orange Lodge, have you, Wilson?"
Things were certainly disintegrating, Wilson noted the progression from Ian to Chief Inspector and then to Wilson.
"I never saw the need." Wilson was used to having this old chestnut pushed into his face. He glanced down again at Kate's card. The mobile number had already erased itself from his mind. To hell with Jennings he would have to manufacture a situation where he could get his hands on that card. "But that doesn't mean that I've volunteered to wet-nurse some…", the word `Taig' was about to issue from Wilson's lips but he cut it off, "Catholic officer" Christ, he thought, I'm beginning to sound like Whitehouse.
"McElvaney doesn't need to be wet-nursed," Jennings said coldly. He tapped the file on his desk. "First class record in uniform and passed first in the class at detective training. You are not being sold a cripple."
"In that case maybe you'd like to propose this guy for membership in your local Lodge," Wilson said sarcastically.
Jennings was about to reply when the door opened and the Secretary entered carrying a tray holding two cups, a tea pot and a small plate of biscuits. She laid the tray on a small side table beside Jennings while studiously avoiding his visitor.
Wilson took his chance as Jennings turned sideways and palmed Kate's visiting card. He slipped it quickly from his palm to his pocket.
Jennings lifted up one of the cups
Similar Books
