Heart of Gold
Chapter 3
This chapter is more another build up, within three chapters time Litton will come face to face with Gene Hunt,, as every chapter represents a month or couple of months, i'm building up a story of lost love for DCI Litton, as he misses WPC Ros Myles like crazy whilst he tries to settle down in London over the first month.
Jack Litton found himself unable to deny this clever offer of a perfect new start/ job so he had to accept it, despite having doubts after listening and overhearing that Edgeley Street had one of the poorest criminal records in all of South London and the capital, a change would need to be in place from right the get go on his first day. It quite literally saddened him that these detectives he'd heard about kept being done for corruption, it so happened to be spreading through different police forces across the country.
"Alright when do me and trustworthy friend Rob start... I'll take over all reins of Edgeley and i personally guarantee to try my ultimate best in re-storing every strong authority and shake the very fountains of this station to proper respected high standards" he took off his sunglasses and reached a hand over to shake Phil's hand as he welcomed him on board.
"Robbie please say something mate you can't just be sitting there with a face like a clap of thunder, pretending to be like you're Mickey Mouse or an invisible person... sorry about this Phil he's normally more of a chatterbox .. well actually If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean . ...but proving that he usually has a suspect pinned up against a wall, shouting foul language demanding the god honest truth" he tried to encourage his young colleague to be a lot brighter in appearance, say the right things that might impress his new colleagues, even woo a lovely young posh woman if he was lucky enough.
"Huh?" he replied after having being slumped back against his chair, fiddling with a blue pen on the desk, obviously it didn't look like a great start to his career in working for London Metropolitan force. Both his cheeks brightened light red in embarassment, as his eyes blinked cluelessly, his body felt weak suddenly in realisation of buggering everything up on first impression. "Oh sorry....erm... yeah...I apologise its just i know i'm a little bit shy...Forgettign that ...What i want to say is i'm very much looking forward to working in South London..keeping the streets clean from scum..I'm all about fighting talk..take no crap from dozy morons"
"Its good to hear son...DCI Litton has informed me all about your , no nonsense, tough guy reputation from working alongside him for Greater Manchester Police ..its what we've really been in need of especially on the streets nowadays we do not want to allow these petty, thieving criminals to believe they've won their latest battle in crime against up coppers...we want to show the public we do not treat criminals like they're our best friends" Phil explained, giving hard direct eye contact, as he continued interviewing them looking to finish in a couple of minutes or so, he was a well respected assistant to Superintendent Mackintosh always by his side during high profiled meetings unfortunately today wasn't but he liked what he seen in these two detectives, they were keen and ready to unleash their years of policing experience on South London. He acknowledged that Robbie Gordon would desperately urgently need to control his temper but as Jack was always there he would take care of him, as an apprentice of sorts.
"So gentlemen how would you feel about perhaps starting as soon as possible... tomorrow morning...it would give you both a day to adapt to being in a different environment...Jack what do yer reckon?" he asked him straight on, putting the DCI in awkward and difficult decision, he wasn't entirely convinced as he never even had an opportunity to check out the prices of houses, apparently some houses were too expensive in the property development in South East England. He kept Phil waiting much longer as he debated what was best to do, either send Robbie to enquire at the nearest estate agents or try himself even though he knew he was a right fussy person in picking something that looked fabulous.
"Alright I don't see why not...I'll call an introduction meeting first tomorrow..introduce myself and Robbie and perhaps organise a team building exercise today sometime within a few days time..i know thats sounds awfully quick but thats the type of detective I am... I need to know who i can trust and get on famously with" Litton pouted his bottom lip, displaying his sunglasses before putting them inside his jacket pocket, he glanced sideways towards Robbie hoping he might back him up, which he did with a nod of agreement.
"Right gentlemen hope you don't mind me finishing the interview early than expected as i'm expecting at a meeting with Detective Morris from Fenchurch West... its been a great pleasure getting to know so much about you both... I'll ring Superintendent Mackintosh to let him know about this... we did a lot of praise about you from Detectiuve Chief Inspector Gene Hunt.. said you were an annoying shithead who didn't know when to keep his big gob shut but admired you for your dedication towards your job" Litton was dumbfounded, surely this must be a mistake, Gene Hunt saying he admired him....really.
Litton chose not say another word still secretly surprised as he left with Robbie and shook Phil's hand again, watching on as Robbie did the same, giving him a hard pat on his upper neck.
"Oww what was that for..." feeling the after effect of the pat on him " You know it was you who did all the gabbing in there... i just kept my nose out sat in the background" he implied, shrugging his shoulders, already his eyes couldn't help in wandering on any female workers who were working close by.
"Blimey my dear friend have you got no shame or no respect.. we've been here... what only five minutes and you already got your eye on a potential girlfriend" Litton found it altogether amusing thankfully at least it took his mind off bigger worries, it all came flooding back about how tough ot might be to get to know new faces in a different surrounding. As they left the bulding the clouds above opened with a heavy shower downpour, soaking Jack's thin jacket as he rushed towards his car, climbed inside and held the door open for his colleague who dashed as fast as he could before climbing onto passenger seat.
"Weather doesn't change does it....C'mon my young friend...we'll 'ave' to find ourselves an estate agent..must one somewhere in the high street..hopefully there's some cheap houses for sale..cause i'm not buying a luxury bachelor pad for myself" grabbing a towel from the back seat he dryed his hair with it.
"So 'ave' you sorted changed bank?.....i've got admit boss..I've been 'avin' butterflies in my stomach about starting work for the Met...i just wanna see 'ow' the first few days pan out" He gritted his teeth nervously in admitting, yes he did want a fresh new beginning in his career but after the meeting he felt a pang of second thoughts that wouldn't vanish.
"Don't tell me your you want to bail out already...No i won't allow it...you need to take page from Jack Litton's book as it will guide you in to becoming a well respected, experienced and intelligent detective..going up through the ranks" He patted his shoulder with reassurance as the car slowly drove off from the curb of the pavement.
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Despite putting an high priced, expensive offer for a lovely semi detached house, with two bedrooms, a medium sized kitchen and a large living room in Grampion Street that was situated by Edgeley Gardens, a small secluded area part of South London, he was told he would be phoned at work basically he was left to wonder whether it'd would go on to be successful however for the time being Jack still had nowhere to live so late last night, so he'd booked a few nights in a nearby hotel, two rooms, a single one for Robbie, his colleague helped move his heavy suitacase that weighed a ton up the entrance steps and into the hotel lobby.
"Christ what you've got in your suitcase?...150 pairs of sunglasses...or 50 designer shirts....mate you've put a lot imagination into trying to blend with 1980's fashions..nowadays its all about bloody suits..unfortunately you would see me wearing them" Robbie joked with a smirk, nearly collapsing backwards as he lifted the suitcaseup into the lift after refusing help from a helpful lobby attendee.
"Watch you don't your back in" His concerned DCI expressed, itching his cheek as he followed behind, winking at the hotel receptionist as they glanced flirtacious looks from across the opacked noisy room.
"And you say about me.. eyeing up the sexy women" Robbie laughed hysterically at Jack's misfortunes before recovering by wiping tears of laughter from his left eye.
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As the sunshine blazed warmly throughout the skies over London and throughout, today was about to become an important one for them both, Jack stood in front of widescreen mirror by the double bed, studying the clothes he decided on wearing, a dark royal blue pinned suit with matching trousers, a light blue checkered shirt, red and black striped tie and black shoes. He was keen to make a good impression and ordered Robbie to do the same. He combed back the last piece of hair over his forehead, parting it to one side, also trimming his moustache to perfection as he liked to think.
"Jack we might as well being getting a move on...don't wanna keep them all waiting in anticipation..c'mon will yer i'm already bricking myself" Robbie proclaimed announcing from the other side of the door, fully annoying his boss.
"Yer thanks for letting other the other hotel guests hear that too" he shouted back almost certain they would be kicked out for rude behaviour or upsetting fellow guests. He adjusted his tie as he took one last look in the mirror before opening the door. To his suprise Robbie looked completely a different person, hair slicked back, wearing a red silk shirt, blue jeans and black flat pointy shoes, holding a jacket over his shoulder.
"Blimey you're not going a date in them clothes are yer?" Litton asked jokingly, as they left their rooms and made their way down the small corridor.
"No Why?" he never quite got the just of the joke entirely, staring blank with a eyebrow raised as he shrugged his shoulders like he'd been told to go the headteacher's office for getting in trouble.
"I'll 'ave' to start getting use to the 1980's...Maybe change my look...sure the ladies wouldnt be able to resist my charm...and have a touch my tache"
"oh boss no offence...but it might be they like more" They lightly battled each other's wits about what woman really looked for in men, Litton insisted it was more for an old school charm which he stuck by for over 10 years in the 1970's. Remembering a brief flashback in September 1978 of himself and Rose when they went to investigate an assault an bank boss and then found themselves in danger when the attacker returned holding them all hostage, that's where everything happened, where he first became attracted to her, she thought he was a really sweet DCI, their escape plan had been that great but she thanked him with an rewarding kiss for his heroic effort, he never did forget that happy moment as every month passed by these last few months since she left with Tom. He wished and prayed that would meet again, his last girlfriend who he knew deep down didn't love him, she was nothing compared to Rose.
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Edgeley Street live to up to expectation, as they stepped out by the steep slopy entrance, he couldn't help in gulping inside his throat, "Jesus bloody hell its like an exact replica of old station Batron Street back in Greater Manchester", Litton stepped forward, pacing up the steps in his boots and entering through the double doors.
PC Des Ross, a man in his early thirties, with brown curly perm hair, was chatting on the help desk phone taking three sets of messages and writing them down on a notepad, nodding and sighing as the current coinversation seemed to be lasting forever, he acknowledged Litton and Gordon as they sat at the waiting area seats.
"Buggering hell.. its actually lot better than I imagined it to be...Bigger reception area than the one in Barton street, great carpet" He sat in amazement, while music could clearly be heard coming from another room, possibly one of the interview rooms, Litton eyes widened in boredom as he sat frozen still, legs opened wide, his shoes tapping impatiently. He never looked impressed unlike his Detective Sergeant who couldn't wait to meet his new colleagues..
"Hello..Welcome to Edgeley Street...So you must be DCI Jack Litton and this here must be your DS Robbie Gordon...i can tell you the troops are waiting in CID...they're a rowdy bunch of young individuals.. its been mentioned sometimes that they need some good disciplinary teaching because when we we've bought in members of the public there's been quite a few complaints about behaviour ....so I'll show you to CID follow me this way" They followed in pursuit, walking slowly behind Des, passing some large double rooms, a cold corridor with darkened brown walls the only attraction was the many framed pictures of awards that were displayed in clear view.
"And here you are" he flung the double sized doors open with both hands as they watched on towards a group of detectives who were chaining smoking their cigarettes, filling all of the room and thick air with it and making crude jokes/remarks about some suspects, Des had put with this for far too long six years of coping with bullying remarks about his sexuality, huffing in frustration "... Oi If i could get your attention...Quiet!!!" Des thumped his fist on the desk table of Detective Constable Jackson's so hard that he thought he might have possibly injured it, they all jumped in fright turning to face the three men that stood before them. Jack eyed every male and female that sat comfortably on their chairs.
"This is DCI Litton and Detective Sergeant Robbie Gordon... they're starting today, after transfering from Barton Street in Greater Manchester and have both agreed on calling a introduction meeting... DCI do you wanna say a few words" Des stepped further in background, lowering his head as he shyed away.
"Thank you Desmond... Right My first request is that I don't want any fowl behavour being displayed especially today and especially in front of amy witnesses or suspects bought in for questioning... I've heard quite a lot of shocking statistics aabout this station... that the crime level is at an all time high... My aim is decrease it bring it down.... My second request is that if you never attempt to get on the wrong side of me cause I don't like it otherwise...I will not take soft excuses and will lay out some rules to follow.." Jack angrily pointed out these changes acting tough would surelt make them listen to his every word spoken, hoping that they will be followed step by step without signs of disagreements "Also I don't want to see any sort of bullying on display... Robbie here... is a made of Iron steel and he certainly will get back to me to inform me of negative responses...do i make myself clear" they remained in silence, they hadn't been told off that strongly before their careers.
"Yes Sir..." some others decided to accept Litton's tough old school style rules, finally complying in full agreement, other younger detectives got on with unfinished evidence work, Litton took in a close view of Edgeley's main head office , although it looked completely different and a bit flashy for his liking almost feeling as if he'd actually gone back to school to teach young kids Geography or Science, it would take plenty of time to cope with working in London, No one was gonna mess with Jack Litton, not any lazy detectives or criminals who presumed they were clever. They were about to get a taste in how Jack enjoyed working, Jack Regan style.
End of chapter