It was decided it was simply not appropriate to tell Johnny Brogan of what had happened to his cousin at the scene. Three more CID officers had arrived and Wright despatched two to take Brogan to the police station at Whitby. Brogan was quiet and seemed to sense something very serious had happened. He had given up asking what as he had been told firmly he would be told at the station.
"Right." DI Wright looked at the third CID officer. "I want you to take young Bellamy to Ashfordly station." He looked at Oscar Blaketon. "Can he and Rowan be kept apart? We have to do this by the book."
"Aye. You can use the interview room for Phil and Nick can go in my office."
"Wright nodded and looked at Mills. "You take my car and take Rowan back to Ashfordly. We need his uniform for forensics so arrange some clothing for him and also arrange a doctor. He doesn't look badly hurt to me but we should get him checked out."
Nick looked up warily as Mills approached. "You're coming with me back to Ashfordly," he was told. "Come on."
Nick got up carefully, still feeling some pain, and looked across at Blaketon. Mills shook his head. "You can't speak to him," he said. "You need to come with me. You're in a bit of bother, son."
Nick glanced sharply at him. "I've done nothing wrong."
"We'll see about that. Now come on, move yourself."
Nick gave in and quietly followed him to Wright's car. He had wanted to speak to Blaketon, get some reassurance, but he sensed the Sergeant's hands were tied.
Phil was taken back to Ashfordly first. Alf Ventress was in the duty room with a number of uniforms who had been drafted in and though they looked sympathetically at Phil they were not given chance to speak to him. He was taken straight into the interview room.
Nick Rowan was next in and the same procedure was followed only he was taken straight into Blaketon's office.
Nick had been feeling more and more uneasy during the journey down to the station and Mills' manner was not improving matters. Mills had seemed to make his own mind up about what might have happened in that ginnel and he was not coming down in Nick's favour.
He told Nick to sit down on a chair in Blaketon's office. "We need some spare clothes for yer," he told Nick.
"I keep some here," Nick said. "In my locker."
"Right." Mills left and spoke tersely to Alf who was hovering outside. "Rowan tells me he has some spare clothes in his locker. Can you get those for me. Also, there is a doctor on his way to look at him. When he gets here, I want him shown straight in."
"Yes Sarge." Alf cleared his throat. "Look can the lad have a cup of tea? He looked ter me like he needed one."
Mills hesitated then nodded.
Nick looked up as Mills came back with a mug of tea, evidence bags and the sweater/ jogging trousers trainers Nick kept at the station for after shift rugby practice. "One of your mates out there wanted you to have this," Mills said indicating the tea."Right, out of that uniform and get into these."
Self consciously Nick changed out of uniform into the spare clothing watching as Mills bagged his uniform and took it away. Silently Nick sipped the hot tea trying to ignore the pain in his ribs and the feeling of clawing unease.
Back at the scene Blaketon and Webb were approached by Wright who looked tense.
"Derek Brogan has the bruises and abrasions to his head we could see but he also has bruising and abrasions to his body," Wright said tersely. "We need the full PM of course but in the circumstances – and I'm sorry about this – I will be arresting PC Rowan."
"Look," Blaketon began, "given the lad's good character -"
"Sergeant." Wright held up his hand. "I have to play this by the book. I'm sorry."
Blaketon turned away miserably. Webb moved aside with him. "I'm sorry, Oscar," he said.
Blaketon shook his head. "There's summat not right wi' this," he said. "Nick Rowan wouldn't kick seven bells out of anyone. I'm sure of it."
"Well hopefully DI Wright will get to the bottom of it," Webb said. "Its possible we may turn up a witness as well who can back up Rowan's story."
The doctor who had come to examine Nick was perfunctory and brusque. He asked Nick to sit on the edge of Blaketon's desk. "Were you knocked out at all?" he asked.
"No."
The doctor shone a light in Nick's eyes, checked his pulse, listened to his heart and lungs, and examined his chest. Nick flinched as the doctor pressed on his ribs and the doctor asked him to breathe deeply in and out which caused Nick to flinch again and cough.
"Hmm. Bruising I would say. Nothing to worry about." The doctor said this to Mills rather than Nick. Mills nodded.
"Thanks Doc."
As the doctor left Mills said to Nick, "Seems the other guy came off worse, Rowan."
Nick was about to say something when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Mills opened it and went through, closing the door behind him. Before the door shut, Nick heard Alf Ventress say to Mills, "DI Wright, Inspector Webb and Sergeant Blaketon are here."
Nick physically tensed. He heard voices outside the door but not what was said. Then the three superior officers came in with Mills who shut the door leaning against it. Nick noticed Blaketon hung back looking thoroughly shocked by developments. And Nick had the most sickening sense of what was going to happen.
Wright took charge calmly stepping forward and advising Nick he was being arrested on suspicion of murder and reading his rights.
Nick stared at him, stunned.
"No, it was an accident," he said slowly. "I just grabbed his foot to stop him –"
"Its best you say nothing more." Wright spoke firmly. "We're going to take you over to Scarborough,Rowan, for purposes of interview." He looked at Mills who stepped forward and took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket.
Nick roused himself a bit then, getting up from where he was sitting on Blaketon's desk, he said, "No. I'm not being dragged out of here in handcuffs. In front of everyone."
"We've cleared the duty room Nick." Webb spoke calmly. "There's no one out there. But I don't think the handcuffs are necessary – sir?"
Wright shook his head.
"Its procedure, sir," Mills muttered.
Wright glared at him. "Take PC Rowan out to the car Mills," he snapped. "I hardly think he's going to do a runner do you?"
Mills shoved the handcuffs away and reached for Nick's arm. Nick looked across at Blaketon. "Sarge - you know I wouldn't -"
"Nick lad." Blaketon knew he could do nothing and he felt appallingly helpless. "Say nowt for now. Wait until you've had a bit of advice. Got a solicitor."
"Come on," Mills said impatiently.
Numbly, because he had to, Nick went with him.
After the CID officers had gone, with Nick, Blaketon sat down at his desk and put his head in his hands. "Oscar," Webb began but was interrupted as the door was opened and Alf Ventress came in.
"For God's sake Constable!" Webb snapped.
"I'm sorry sir." Alf did not sound sorry. "But t'lads are a bit upset wi' what's going on and –"
"You all deserve an explanation." Oscar sat up in his chair. Looking at Webb he said, "I'm sorry sir. You need to speak to them. I'm going out."
"Out Sergeant?"
"To speak to Nick Rowan's wife. She deserves an explanation too. Except I'm not sure I can explain any of this."