With the battle announced and lines drawn Nick joined the fray. Three on two now. This was going to be unseemly but Chandler needed to get inside. The three local officers charged. Bodies collided in the narrow corridor. There were embittered cries as the pushing and shoving continued, Chandler catching a short-armed fist to the side of his skull, the corridor too tight to allow for a meaningful blow. In response Chandler thrust his hand up and found a sweaty face, forcing the head backwards, securing a gap to wriggle through and into the interview room.

There he was presented with the sight of Mitch kneeling across Gabriel’s upper arms, pinning him to the floor. Gabriel was crying out in pain.

‘Get off him, Mitch,’ ordered Chandler, pulling at his superior officer, his fingers struggling for purchase on the silk suit.

‘He attacked me,’ said Mitch, attempting to retain his position on top of Gabriel.

‘I didn’t,’ cried Gabriel, trying to free himself.

Chandler knew that Gabriel hadn’t attacked Mitch, his instinct telling him that it was an effort by Mitch to see if roughing the suspect up produced greater results. Or simply revenge for threatening to bring a lawsuit against him.

‘Get him off me!’ cried Gabriel again.

Chandler got hold of Mitch’s collar and dragged him to his feet. They faced off against each other as Gabriel scooted to the side of the room.

‘What the hell are you trying to do, Mitch?’

‘Get some answers,’ replied Mitch through clenched teeth.

‘By doing that shit?’

‘It’s my job to get results.’

‘And what did you get?’

The flushed look on Mitch’s face told him that he had got nothing but sweaty.

Chandler shoved him to the back of the room before helping Gabriel back into the seat.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Course he is, I didn’t touch him,’ said Mitch, pacing along the back wall like a caged animal.

‘Is this one of those good cop, bad cop routines?’ asked Gabriel. ‘If it is, it’s pretty fucking see-through.’

Chandler shook his head. ‘No, it isn’t, and I apologize for the inspector’s actions.’

‘Don’t apologize for me,’ snarled Mitch.

Gabriel took a few deep breaths. He looked to have recovered some of his cool. ‘Go get my lawyer. I’ve got plenty to say.’

30

To Chandler’s surprise, Gabriel didn’t ask to be released, just for access to his lawyer. If he had there was little he could have done to prevent it, given what Mitch had done. Maybe a charge of harassment levelled against Mitch or the force in general was in the works. Adding another anchor to the investigation. After securing Gabriel in a cell he caught up with Mitch in his office.

‘You going to explain to me what that shit was?’ he demanded. ‘Attempted beating of a suspect? Threats? Harassment?’