A Crime Story

‘So where have you been? Derek asked as I was about to open my front door. I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting to see him.

‘Derek! Hi!’ I smiled. ‘Thought I would go and do a little research – at Tottenham library....’

‘Research eh?’

‘But I was also just about to go to Nando’s in Wood Green and grab a bite to eat. Want to come?’

‘Why not?’ he replied wearing a curious grin on his face. I unlocked my car and we got in. Derek Evans, a copper at Haringey police station where I used to work has become my friend and confidant. He’s also a good guy who likes me more than I deserve. At the back of his mind I know he hopes for something more. But after the episode with Vince, another relationship was not what I wanted right now. It was a shame. Derek seemed positive about what I wanted to do yet I wasn’t interested. It was also annoying: when you tell yourself it’s all over, your feelings are busy doing something else! My feelings for Vince were still there.

‘So what’s been happening? You’ve been quiet for these past few days.’ Wood Green High Street was still busy even though it was late afternoon. We parked and got out of the car and strolled amongst the busy shoppers, until we got to Nando’s. I told Derek about the phone calls, but excluded talk about the break up with Vince.
‘Well that’s great Marcia. I quite like Linton’s column....’

‘…You like his column despite what he says about the police.’ Derek swept his jacket over his shoulder and held onto the collar with his thumb. He was just over six foot, light skin in complexion, wore a flat top hair style. When he was out of uniform, most of the time he wore faded jeans casual shirts and depending on the weather, jackets to match. He turned his head, facing the other side of the road pretending that something caught his attention. ‘Even when I used to work, it wasn’t as bad as all that.’ Derek turned his head and had his brow raise in a self-righteous way that was annoying. ‘What!?’ I stopped in the middle of my step and watched Derek. Sometimes I wondered which side of the fence he was on. Derek, my friend, ever suspicious of my thinking when it came to the community. Wary that I might one day say something without giving it too much thought.

‘It was bad Marcia unless you’ve conveniently forgotten but things have improved, and it’s thanks to people like Linton who writes in such a way that will always stir up debate....’ He leaned his face closer to mine with his eyes increasing by the second, ‘...and we need people like that!’

‘And Dennard Chris, I s’pose he didn’t get what he deserved.’ I responded making sure I didn’t blink.

‘Of course he did! But there are others where the system has totally let them down.’ He answered, irritated.

‘Don’t think I don’t understand Derek. Remember, I left the force because I could only go so far. But it’s a little strange that you’re still there. I mean, if you feel that it’s so corrupt, then why don’t you leave?’ It was my turn to raise an eyebrow and wear a half smile. Derek, somebody who could not be easily provoked, turned to me.

‘Because, I do believe in the law and I think its right that I am in the police force hoping I can make a difference. Making sure that the law is applied fairly and squarely.’ I smiled teasing him telling him that whenever he decides to run as MP for Tottenham, he has my vote. He nodded his head and gave an unconvincing smile probably because he felt I wasn’t taking him seriously. ‘Anyway, anyway, I don’t think we came here to argue. I just think it’s good that he wants to interview you.’

‘And that is the only reason why I’ll do it.’ He shrugged his shoulders and gave a weary smile. I responded likewise, not wanting to dampen our meal. As we got nearer to Nando’s, he stood aside to let me go through the door. It must have been a few minutes before we reached the counter, decided which meals we wanted and gave our order. We sat in our seats and watched the traffic of people milling in and out of the restaurant. Eventually our order was brought to us.

‘I’m full of support for you Marcia,’ Derek said all of a sudden. ‘But you shouldn’t think that if I feel you’re wrong I won’t say anything.’ I remained quiet and just ate, taking in the activities around us.

‘So what about the other phone call?’ I told him what had happened and when I would meet Mrs. Wright. ‘That sounds great Marcia. If you need any help, anything, just let me know.

‘No probs.’ I smiled to myself tucking into the spicy chicken.

It must have been after eight when we left. The High street seemed a lot busier; people were doing last minute shopping mixed with people hoping that the street would provide them some action. I drove us back to my road, where Derek parked his car further down the street. As we were saying our goodbyes, Derek mentioned how he had enjoyed the evening and hoped we could do it again.

‘We’ll see.’ I told him.

‘And let me know how you get on with your first customer.’ He said, walking away ignoring my indifference over the likely hood of our next meeting.
I muttered to myself, complaining when I closed the door behind me of how dark it was – especially when the downstairs light was not working. Carefully I climbed the stairs and at the same time trying to separate the entry key from the door key in my handbag. After several attempts, I managed to slot the right key into the door. Tiredness crawled all over me even though it wasn’t quite that late. If I wanted to be fresh and alert for my meeting with Mrs.Wright then I needed an early night. But there was one more thing I needed to do – and that was to call Linton. After several rings he answered and I told him that I agreed to do the interview, could we do the interview tomorrow afternoon?

‘Let me check my diary.’ He said. I waited, listening to him flick through the pages and he agreed. Still smiling through that voice of his that had a touch of ease about it, as though he had always known me. We agreed 2:30pm at my place.

The alarm from my mobile jolted out my sleep like I had experienced an electric shock. The screen of my mobile flashed 7:30am. Too early for me. I staggered out of the bed into the bathroom and on my way, switched on the radio, so I could hear the early morning news. I stared at the mirror. The image in the mirror stared back at me: I kept my hair in braids but for the moment the virgin hair was paved its way through making the look to be dishevelled; my complexion I would describe as a rich coffee but could look a lot better if I paid attention to the break out of spots, which was happening more frequently; I was 35 years old and 5ft 7. I kept a tight rein on my weight and made sure that I stayed at 11 stones. Although my stomach looked like an extra spare tyre. As I scrubbed my face, I could hear the announcer on the radio moving from the increase of gun crime to the decrease of drugs, in the capital. But all in all, the weather was going to be good. I hoped that the rest of my day would follow suit.