Only The Good Die Young, Book 1

Chapter 4

John woke up the next morning to find himself alone in bed. He heard the sound of something sizzling downstairs and knew what Katy was doing. He grinned to himself, and went to wash up. He put his trousers on and went downstairs, admiring Katy’s tastefully decorated home.

Walking through the living room he smiled as he remembered the love that they had made there the previous night. He felt like his nose was leading him to the kitchen. As he walked in through the archway, Katy turned around and grinned at him.

“Morning, handsome. Here’s your omelette.”

“I can’t believe you remembered after all this time.” John sat down at the place setting she had laid out for him.

“I don’t believe you think that I would have forgotten!”

Katy poured him a cup of coffee. John grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his lap. They kissed passionately, over and over again, until something bubbled and popped on the stove.

“Ahh! The bacon!” Katy rushed over and prodded it with her spatula.

“That shirt looks familiar,” John laughed, “I remember wondering what happened to it.”

“As you can see it found a good home,” Katy said. The shirt was an old t-shirt, a faded colour of blue, with ‘Hendon’ written across it.

“It looks better on you than it ever did on me.”

“I think so as well,” Katy teased. John rolled his eyes and eyed his plate. He took a bite of his omelette. Ham, cheese, mushroom and onion, just as he liked it.

“I’ve missed your cooking,” he said. “I never knew anyone who could cook like you.”

Katy sat down with her bowl of cereal and glass of juice. She set the bacon and some toast down near him.

“What, you’re not eating?” John motioned to his food. “It’s not like you to eat rabbit food.”

“Trying to watch my figure, darling. Seven years does a lot to a girl’s metabolism.”

“You’ll always be beautiful, love. Even if you were 26 stone I’d still adore you.”

“Yeah but I wouldn’t adore me. And besides, in order to commit various and sundry acts of breaking and entering, I need to fit through the windows.”

John grinned at her, as she laughed. “Not anymore though, right?” he said.

“Yeah, something like that,” she smiled at him and he felt his heart leap.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. The sun streamed through the window, illuminating Katy’s hair and making her look like she glowed. John realised for the first time in years he felt happy and content again. He had spent all that time looking, scrapping around, trying to make something of himself, but with Katy he felt like he had already succeeded and was happy to just be her partner, her lover.

“This is like old times, isn’t it?” he said.

“Yeah,” Katy smiled, “It’s great, isn’t it? I could save this moment forever.”

Katy heard a faint ringing noise coming from upstairs. She knew what it was but hoped that he didn’t hear it. John paused his chewing, heard it, and made a quick dash towards the top of the steps.

“Shit,” Katy mumbled under her breath, “Bloody mobile. Bloody work.”

About five minutes later John came thundering down the steps. He was doing up his shirt and tie.

“Sorry sweetheart, gotta go, that was my DI reminding me that I’m late for work. I forgot I needed to be in at eight.”

“Will I see you tonight?” Katy said, crossing her arms around her stomach, and walking towards the door.

“You bet on it,” John said, grinning. He kissed her lips, quickly, and paused for a moment.

“I’ll call you in a couple of hours. Deakin wants to form some plans for the heroin bust. We’ll bring you in to brief you.”

“Who’s Deakin?”

“My DI, Chris Deakin.”

“Alright then. See you later.”

John kissed her again, firmly, and then opened the door, “Bye love!”

Katy waved goodbye as John drove off. She closed the door and walked to the kitchen where she dumped his half-eaten omelette and the rest of the food she had prepared. She wasn’t upset, though, because she had him back, and this time it was forever.

‘The job can take what it wants for now,’ Katy thought to herself, ‘because pretty soon he won’t belong to it anymore, he’ll belong to me.’

* * *

Katy opened the door of Sun Hill and walked in, through the front entrance this time. She recognised the blonde-haired WPC working the front desk from yesterday’s bust. Katy walked up to the desk and stood there, waiting to be acknowledged. Polly shot her a look, and then looked back at her paperwork. She was sitting at the desk inside the office. Katy waited for a few moments, then decided to ring the bell.

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Polly rolled her eyes and went back to her paperwork. Tony Stamp walked in the office.

“Alright love, how can I help you?” Tony said to Katy. “I’m“I’m here to see DS Boulton. I believe he is expecting me.”

“I’ll give him a call. Have a seat,” Tony gestured to the chairs along the wall. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

“That would be lovely, PC?”

“Stamp. Tony Stamp.” Tony smiled at Katy, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

“Yesterday. I was the one at the bank with the crowbar.”

“Oh yeah. You look different without your ski mask on.” Katy was dressed in a red jacket, tied at the waist, a black cashmere funnel-neck top, and a camel-coloured skirt, the latest styles that were in the window of Chanel, up until five nights ago when she liberated them. She was carrying the latest style of Prada handbag, taken from their store in Milan during her yearly European “shopping trip”. She took off her Gucci sunglasses, taken from Harvey Nichols six months ago, and flashed a dazzling smile at Tony. In that moment, Tony started to understand the wild rumour about DS Boulton getting caught out in the cells yesterday kissing a suspect. Who wouldn’t, if she offered?

“I only wear my ski mask on special occasions, PC Stamp,” Katy grinned, “And I have no desire to re-visit your custody cells.” Tony heard Polly snigger behind him and tried to ignore her.

Just then, Jim Carver came downstairs and saw Katy. “Kathryn… DS Boulton is waiting for you upstairs. I’ll take you up.” Jim held open the door for Katy.

“Thank you for your hospitality, PC Stamp. We’ll have to have that coffee some other time.”

Tony gulped and nodded, and watched her disappear behind the glass door and go upstairs to CID. Polly stood up and walked over to him.

“Ugh. Who the hell does she think she is?” Polly rolled her eyes.

“I don’t know, Poll, she didn’t seem that bad. I thought she was quite nice.”

“She was only flirting with you, Tony, can’t you see that?”

“Naah. She wasn’t!”

“She was!” Polly mimicked Katy’s West-End accent, “We’ll have to have that coffee some time, PC Stamp.”

“She was just being friendly, Poll!” Tony couldn’t help but laugh, because even when Polly was trying to sound upper-class, she still sounded cockney.

Polly pulled a face, “Anyone who would go for Robocop deserves pity, did you hear about those two in the custody cells yesterday?”

Dave Quinnan came up behind Polly, “Robocop and that girl who did the bank job? Apparently it’s true!”

Tony said, “She was just in here, Jim came and took her up to CID.”

“She was flirting with Tone and all! Imagine the nerve, being a known burglar but still trying it on with police officers.” Polly rubbed her arms and looked towards the glass doors.

“She’s a bit of alright, innt she, Tone?” Dave said, “I wouldn’t kick her out, regardless of her record. You know what your problem is, Poll, you’re just jealous!” Dave nudged Tone and laughed.

“Of what?” Polly raised her eyebrows and her voice.

“You know you’ve always fancied Robocop!” Dave and Tony could hardly contain their laughter.

“Oh please, I’d rather mareg Heg Hollis!”

Just then Reg walked through the front doors, “Here, ah, Polly, could you, ah, buzz me in?”

Dave mumbled, “Here’s your chance, girl!” and gave Polly a nudge forward. Tony and Dave took off, holding their sides to keep them from splitting.

* * *

John could feel her presence before he saw her. He felt the hairs rise up on the back of his neck and turned around. She looked beautiful, glamorous, amazing, perfect as always. He remembered that when they first got together, she was stopped on the street a few times and asked to model. She refused.

Katy smiled as Jim led her into the CID office. “Kathryn, this is DI Deakin, you know DS Boulton, and that’s DS Beech, and in the back there is DC Croft. DCI Meadows will be joining us in a couple of minutes.”

Katy smiled at everyone. Chris held out his hand, “Hello Kathryn, it’s nice to meet you. John tells me that you’ve been a very reliable snout for him for many years.”

“That’s right, Mr. Deakin. DS Boulton and I work very well together.”

John noticed out of the corner of his eye, Suzi and Don whispering something to each other, and slightly sniggering. He turned to look, and they both spotted him, and broke away, caught out.

“We’ve got a plan on how to go about this. We’re going to use the Dover-Calais route because it’s the shortest, which means that we can have him in custody quickly. Do you know his pattern?”

“Yes, he does Dover-Calais, or should I say, Calais-Dover-Calais, twice a week, on Wednesdays, and then Monday or Friday. He’s always there on a Wednesday."

“And who is your informant about this?” Chris asked.

“One of the guys that was supposed to come along with me on the burglary. He backed out at the last minute.”

“It wasn’t Reggie Patrick was it?” John asked.

“Yeah, how’d you know? Oh wait, don’t tell me, he grassed us up to you.”

John nodded. Katy mumbled, “Figures…” under her breath.

“He wanted a bigger cut for some daft reason. When we told him that it was going to be even, he decided that he had better plans.”

“Do you think he’s being legit with you?” Chris asked.

“Yeah, because he was trying to get in my knickers at the time, and thought that I dabbled in a bit of that sort of thing on the side. After I got all the info off of him I told him that I wasn’t interested at the time but might be later on. When you’re in my line of work, Inspector, you save this sort of knowledge for when you need it.”

Chris smiled, “You’re a credit to burglars, Kathryn. Your father taught you well. I knew him. Nicked him a few times when I was a PC.”

“I’m sure my dad mentioned you then, but probably not in favourable terms!” Kathryn laughed.

Chris smiled, “He had a temper didn’t he? Blimey, I remember once when he was brought in, he was kicking up such a fuss that they threatened to sedate him!”

“He’d be rolling in his grave if he could see me now.” Katy said, smiling.

“You’re right about that. I’m glad you don’t share his hatred of the police,” C smi smiled, “We do have our uses.”

“Well, DS Boulton has always looked out for me and treated me well, so I see it, it’s a mutually beneficial working relationship.”

Again, John could hear Suzi and Don tittering. He turned and glared at them, silencing their smart-arsed comments. Ever since he came in this morning he had received a ton of stick about being caught out in the custody suites. He didn’t really care what his insubordinates thought about him, but he just hoped it got no further up the rank. Deakin would understand, and lord knows, probably did it himself on occasion. Jack Meadows, on the other hand, would not be impressed, nor would Andrew Monroe. That sort of thing carries with it an official reprimand and John didn’t wish to receive one of those, even though he would probably do it again, given half a chance, as would most of the men in this nick.

Chris was making plans with Katy. She would meet Reggie Patrick, he would make sure the dealer knew she was coming to pick up the gear, and John, Jim, Chris and some uniform would make the arrest, then hand over the prisoner to HM Customs and Excise Police, who were more than happy to share the arrest with Sun Hill. It all sounded pretty simple to John.

Katy excused herself and went off to the ladies’ room. John watched her leave the room, not really paying attention to what was going on around him.

“John… John?” Chris said, loudly.

John was startled, “What? I mean, yes Guv?”

“Your girlfriend is really gorgeous. Too bad she’s geg seg sent down for 5-15 years.”

“I know, it’s tragic isn’t it? I was going to ask her to marry me.”

Reality set in and John realised what he just said. He looked around, the office so silent that a pin could drop. John looked at Chris, panic crossing his face.

Chris returned John’s gaze, the faintest smile playing at his lips, “If I were you, John, I’d do it anyway. You’ll never meet anyone like her again in your life, and if you do, she won’t be anywhere near as good as Kathryn is.”

Chris walked into the DI’s office and shut the door. John looked around himself, got up off of his desk where he was sitting and briskly walked out of the room to the gent’s. He could hear the laughter swelling up behind him and felt his cheeks turning red.

Katy returned to the room, “Where’s DS Boulton?” she asked Jim.

Suzi answered, “Probably changing his hair colour so it doesn’t match his cheeks!” More laughter ensued from everyone.

Katy grinned, “Been winding him up have we?”

The door to the DI’s office opened. Chris came out and said, “Katy, can I have a quick word?”

Katy nodded and made her way through the crowded office, over files and briefcases, to Chris’s office.

“Have a seat,” Chris motioned. His office smelled of cigarette smoke and aftershave. Chris walked around his desk and sat down in his chair. He leaned forward. Chris wasn’t a bad looking man for his age, Katy thought to herself.

“Katy… I know about you and John.” Chris began.

“The rumour mill here works pretty efficiently, then.” Katy said.

“I heard the rumour, yes. But even if I hadn’t, I could tell it by seeing you and him together. The way he was looking at you was a dead give-away.”

“With all due respect, Inspector, I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make.”

“Do yoink ink you can work with him objectively, and keep focused on the task at hand? I know he can’t. If you say no, I’ll work with you myself. It’s not a big deal, but it’s important that we’re all focused on doing our jobs.”

Katy nodded, “I understand. I can work with John objectively. We’ve been working together for the past twelve years, on and off.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been an item?” Chris said.

“Well, I met John five days into the job, as a PC. I don’t need to tell you about the circumstances under which we met, but I’m sure you can use your imagination.” Katy smiled. Chris chuckled.

“We started seeing each other then, and were together for five years. However, John wanted to make the leap into CID and he thought that he stood less of a chance, by having someone with previous as a long-term partner. So we decided to split for the sake of his career, and until yesterday I had not seen him for seven years.”

“Obviously there were a lot of residual feelings there between you both.”

“Inspector, not even death could keep John and I apart. For seven years, all I thought about, all I wanted was him. My love didn’t die, it just grew stronger. And from what he told me, he felt the same way.”

“Well,” Chris said, “I know the job is a harsh mistress, Kathryn. No one knows that more than I do. And by being with you, John probably won’t rise above his current rank, which in itself isn’t a bad thing, as he probably doesn’t have too many designs for promotion beyond DI. He’s not really DCI or Superintendent material. Too temperamental and impulsive. In fact, even without you, I’d be hard pushed to give him a recommendation for DI because he’s got such an impulsive streak. He’s good where he’s at right now.”

“So you’re saying that he could be with me and it wouldn’t affect his career?”

“Precisely. John needs a woman in his life. It might make him a bit more stable. Who knows, it might make him decent to be around for a change.” Chris smiled.

Katy laughed, “He never was Mr. Popularity at work, was he?”

“I’ve had worse officers. Not many, but a few. He is curiousldeardearing, though.”

Chris looked up to see John glancing in at the window. “Shall we go and join them then?”

“Ok. Thank you Inspector.” Katy smiled at Chris and his knees felt weak.

“Please, call me Chris.”

“Alright, Chris.”

Chris held the door open and Katy walked out of the office. Jack Meadows had entered CID and was talking to Jim and John. He turned around, and greeted Chris and Katy.

“Ah, so you’re Kathryn. Nice to meet you. I’m Detective Chief Inspector Meadows.” Jack held out his hand and Katy shook it.

“It’s good to meet you Sir.”

Jack turned to Chris, “I’ve just been on the phone with HM Customs and Excise. They will give us two bodies on the boat.”

“Awful generous of them.” Chris said, in his dryly sarcastic manner.

“Tell me about it. If this comes off, though, we’ll all look good because of it.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Chris asked.

Jack shot a glance towards Katy, who was talking to Jim, “Then her head will roll. I’ll make sure of it, regardless of what John Boulton thinks.”

“So you heard the rumour as well?” Chris asked.

“Yeah, and for his sake, let’s hope that’s all it is.”

“No worries, guv. I just had a word with her and she’s got no feelings for him.”

Jack glanced at John, who was at his desk, pretending to be concentrating on a file, trying to ignore the fact that Jim had just said something funny enough to get Katy laughing.

“Let’s hope he gets that message then. Even I can see that he’s got feelings for her.”

“I’ll speak to him about” Ch” Chris said. Chris had no intention of losing a fine DS over a bit of skirt, no matter how bloody amazing and gorgeous that bit of skirt was.

“I think that’d be wise. I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“Gov,” Chris said.

Jack walked out of the office. Chris turned and walked over to Katy.

“Well, I think that’s all in order. When can you meet Reggie Patrick?”

“I can try to get in touch with him tonight.” Katy smiled, running her hand through her thick blonde curls.

“Ok. Here’s my mobile number. Call me and let me know what he says and then we’ll go from there.” Chris scribbled down his number on a scrap of paper. Katy slid it in her handbag.

“Let me show you out.” Chris motioned for her to go in front of him. Katy bid everyone goodbye and let Chris escort her down to the front entrance.

Chris said, “ink ink it’s only fair to warn you, the DCI’s suspicious. I’ll have a word with John and maybe you should do so as well.”

“Alright Chris. Thanks.” Katy gave Chris a kiss on the cheek, making him feel light-headed.

Kathryn walked out of the station and dialled Reggie Patrick on her mobile.

“Reggie, it’s Katy. What are you doing tonight?”

Reggie coughed in her ear, and groggily said, “You woke me up!”

“It’s 4:30 in the afternoon, what are you doing?”

“Nothing… going down the pub…why?”

“Remember that deal you told me about a few weeks ago?”

“...what deal?”

“Narcotic transactions going on in international waters, idiot.”

“Oh yeah… what about it?”

“I want in on it. I met someone last night who can help me diversify.”

Reggie sounded slightly more alert, “Alright, babe… but you know what it will cost you, don’t you?”

“What’s that?”

“If you want in on my scheme, you have to give me something in return.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you Reggie!”

“No… just go out with me. We can have sex afterwards.”

Katy was silent for a minute, “What time tonight and what pub?”

“The Bird and Scarecrow. Tonight at 9:00. Ok?”

“Alright.”

“And don’t wear panties.”

Katy hung up on him in disgust. She had an idea, though, that might save her from touching Reggie. She walked back into Sun Hill. Tony was on the front desk.

“PC Stamp…may I have a quick word with you?”

Tony looked up from his crossword. His heart started to beat a bit quicker.

“Yeah, sure, Ms. O’Sullivan, what about?”

“I was wondering… I need a bit of help with a very difficult situation, and someone like you might come in handy.”

Tony’s mouth felt dry. Katy gazed up into his eyes and his stomach did a flip-flop.

“What… what sort of situation?” Tony swallowed hard.

“There’s a certain individual that DI Deakin needs me to get some information off of. This person has offered me the information in exchange for an …intimate favour, that I’m unwilling to provide. I was wondering if you could come along with me tonight, just to give me some protection?”

“Well…” Tony glanced around, “Wouldn’t DI Deakin arrange something for you?”

“I’ve not told him that this is what I need to do to get this information. I understand that you wouldn’t get any overtime for doing this for me, and I’m willing to pay you for it. No one would need know you helped me.”

Tony thought for a fraction of a second, “I’ll do it. Just tell me where, when and what you need. I don’t want money. Consider it a privilege.”

“Well, I need you to come at 9:30 to the Bird and Scarecrow pub off of Canley Fields. What I’m going to do is to get the guy to give me the info I need, and then you can show up, pretending to be my boyfriend, and that will warn him off.”

Tony raised his eyebrows, “To be your boyfriend?”

“Yeah… do you have a problem with that?”

He could feel sweat trickling down the back of his neck. His heart was beating about a million times per second. “No… no, that’s f...fine,” he sputtered.

“Fine.” Katy smiled at him, “See you then!” She turned and walked away.

“See you…then.” Tony turned around to find himself face to face with Dave Quinnan, who heard everything.

“How did you do it?” Dave shook his head in awe.

“Face it Dave,” Tony said, regaining his cool, “Some men have it, some don’t. I, for one, have it.”

John Boulton breezed down from CID and out through the front doors, chasing after Katy who was getting in her car.

“And it looks like he lost it…” Dave said, laughing.

* * *

Katy was getting into her car when she heard John calling her name. She turned around and he ran across Sun Hill’s parking lot towards her.

“Katy…” John said, “What did Deakin say to you?”

“Nothing… why?”

John glanced up at the DI’s window. He saw the blind slats go shut.

“I’ll call you later. Are you going to be at home?” and then he said lower, “Can I come over tonight?”

Katy smiled, “Maybe… if you’re a good boy. Call me.”

John winked at her, grinned and walked back to tuilduilding. Katy shook her head, got in her car and drove away.