‘Sorry, sir, didn’t think,’ Hirsch said.

‘No. You didn’t.’

‘Just trying to help a friend.’

‘Help that was detrimental to your police work and your professionalism, however, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Sir.’

‘No disciplinary action at this stage,’ Gaddis said, ‘but it will be noted on your official record.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Meanwhile the academy runs refresher courses throughout the year. Behaviour management and leadership, for example. You are strongly advised to enrol in a suitable course when classes begin again early next year.’

Hirsch knew that strong advice was in actuality an order. ‘Sir.’

‘And consider studying for the sergeants’ exam,’ Rosie said.

He flashed her a look, wondering if she was saying anything between the lines. Rosie, with her round figure, vivid eyes and glossy black hair, her air of looking for adventures, gazed back at him steadily, sombrely. Telling him to wake up to himself.

He nodded.

‘We now come to the matter of the child locked inside a car on a hot day,’ Gaddis said. ‘Did you or did you not advise Child Protection?’

‘Did not, sir.’

‘Carry out a family check?’

‘No sir.’

‘Anything at all?’

‘A firm chat, sir.’

‘Chat. Why nothing stronger?’

‘I weighed up the circumstances and didn’t think a charge or a caution was warranted. As an officer on the ground, I made a judgment call. The offence didn’t seem serious enough to warrant intervention from Child Protection or anyone else. There was no aggravated behaviour, no violence, it was just a bit of carelessness.’

‘That might have cost a child its life.’

Hirsch swallowed. He didn’t answer.

‘What about the assault on your person, Constable Hirschhausen. You didn’t think to pursue charges for that?’

‘No, sir. Again, a judgment call. The poor woman was distressed. You may not know, sir, that she’s subsequently been murdered? She and her family were in hiding and she clearly thought her daughter was in danger. She wasn’t thinking clearly.’

‘She got hold of your gun.’

‘Yes, sir, but not deliberately. She seemed shocked when she realised—she dropped it straight away.’

Gaddis was running with this line of questioning. Rosie DeLisle looked on, leading Hirsch to think she supported his case.

Gaddis paused a while to gaze at Hirsch. ‘We’ve all been there, Constable Hirschhausen.’

Not you, Hirsch thought. You were born with a pen in your hand. ‘Sir.’

‘Heat of the moment decisions. Judgment calls.’

‘Sir.’

Gaddis lifted another sheet of paper. ‘Your sergeant gives you a good report. “A sound officer,” she says.’

‘Good to know, sir.’

‘Quit the bloody shortcuts, all right?’ Gaddis said, his headmaster veneer slipping. ‘People are noticing. You risk bringing the force into disrepute, not to mention your own career and reputation.’

‘Sir.’

‘By the book,’ Gaddis said, gathering his paperwork. ‘Dismissed.’

They left Hirsch there. Rosie gave him a rueful smile goodbye, and soon after he left the building, he received a text: