‘On that, at least, we can agree. Whether you’re quite as deserving is yet to be proven.’ She shot Mickey an indecipherable look. Identifiable as less than friendly. ‘But the decision has been made not to stand in the way of the award, given your pivotal role as described by Sir Patrick. Oh, and the major will be awarded a George Cross as well. The most he can get given the attack wasn’t carried out by a recognisable enemy. Everyone else will be awarded a posthumous George Medal. So we’ll bury our dead with full honours, and pin medals on the survivors.’

Mickey closed his eyes, suddenly tired again. ‘If that’s all, ma’am, I could really do with pushing this button again.’

Opened his eyes when the silence drew out well beyond the point of just being uncomfortable. To find the assistant commissioner staring down at him with a distinct lack of sympathy.

‘Wound hurting you, is it, Sergeant? Seems to me that you’ve been lucky to make it this far without someone putting a bullet in you.’

‘Prot’s not that dangerous, ma—’

‘I’m not talking about your Protection Command duties, Sergeant Bale. As we both know all too well.’ She held up thumb and forefinger with a few millimetres between them. ‘I’m this close to having the proof I need that you’ve been a very naughty boy.’

‘I see.’

Mickey was not inclined to offer her any help. Firstly because of the fact she wasn’t sharing whatever evidence she had with regard to his extra-curricular activities. And secondly because his wound was doing a fair impression of having a hot poker sticking out of it.

‘I’m sure you do.’ Jasmine looked pitilessly down at him. ‘Which is why you’re not denying it. And why I’d be a good deal happier if you’d done the decent thing and bled out on the Fulham Palace Road. Right, I need a cigarette. Push your magic button to your heart’s content. You’ll keep for a few days.’

65

‘Professional Standards interview with Sergeant Michael James Bale of Protection Command. Interview to be carried out by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Michael Haskins and Detective Chief Inspector Martin Irving of Professional Standards.’

DAC Haskins paused. Clearly wanting to make something of a point.

‘And in the advisory presence of Assistant Commissioner Jasmine Chen of Specialist Operations Command.’

The big guns were out in force for him, Mickey mused. Haskins, the Met’s Grand Inquisitor. Wielding the service’s bell, book, candle and disciplinary code. The man sitting to his right was his bag carrier, a detective chief inspector barely out of his twenties. Destined for greatness. Ticking an important career box with Professional Standards. But, beyond that, known for his uncompromising stance on corruption. Having come to Haskins’ attention by shopping several of his own officers for accepting favours from local “businessmen” as a young DI.