When they reentered the building it was swarming with people and Spikings pushed past the crowds, motioning for them to join him in his office.
"Now that you've got that out of your systems, any thoughts?"
Dempsey threw himself into a chair.
"It's obvious, whoever that inspector was is working with Atkin."
Makepeace looked skeptical.
"We don't know that for sure but we can safely say that he's got inside information because he knew about the inspection today."
"That's why it had to be Atkin. A he didn't want these cases investigated and B on the very day that we begin work on this, we get the fake inspector with the briefcase."
Spikings put his hand to his head and spoke almost to himself.
"It's days like these that make me want to take a very long holiday."
He looked up suddenly.
"Right, but it seems like one hell of a drastic thing to do, even for Atkin."
Makepeace nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, not the kind of thing a Detective Chief Inspector does simply to boost his figures."
Spikings added.
"Another thing, someone who has so much influence over the media and would have the audacity to arrange the explosives would have to have a hell of a lot of clout."
The door of Spikings's office suddenly flew open then and Chas put his head around the door.
"Guv, I think you're going to want to see this."
They followed Chas out into the office where the people were gathered around the television set watching the news.
For those of you who have just joined us, breaking news came in minutes ago of an explosion in a special branch of Her Majesty's Police Service today. We are still waiting for details of casualties and it is now arguably the worst case of a whole series of offences that has swept the country in the last couple of weeks. It comes at a time when the conservative party has already been criticized for their failure to crack down on crime and recent poles have already indicated a drop in votes in the light of recent events.Spikings paced the room, running a hand over his head.
"Bloody hell, they've got us dead and buried before the explosives were even planted!"
Makepeace added.
"This story had to have been leaked by the same person who passed on information about the other offences."
"So this confirms it, the inspector whatever his name is, and Atkin," Dempsey received a look from Spikings and Makepeace, "c'mon, it has to be Atkin. Anyway they are workin' together."
Makepeace sat up suddenly, pointing at the television.
"Most likely with someone in the government, someone with, how did you put it, clout. This has all been part of a smear campaign! There's no doubt that Atkin was involved but I'd like to bet that it was someone in the opposition party who was the instigator of the explosives."
Spikings strode purposely back to his office.
"I'm getting on to head branch. I want that department pulled apart, we're going to find out just how much Atkin was involved."
He paused at his door and turned with a smile.
"I also think that I know of someone in Whitehall who would be very interested in the information we have unearthed today."
His smile widened.
"This should go down very well for us, hmm. Put us in good stead for the next inspection eh."
He disappeared into his office and Dempsey threw his hands in the air.
"How many inspections we gonna get!"
Soon everyone began to leave the office for home and Dempsey managed to catch Harry as she grabbed her bag to leave.
"Harry, what d'ya say we grab somethin' to eat tonight?"
She went to answer him but stopped as Spikings opened the door to his office. "Dempsey, a word please."
He failed to move.
"Now lieutenant."
He walked towards Spikings's office looking back at Harry and she mouthed, "I'll be back in a minute."
She made her way down the corridor to the locker room and went in her bag for the key to her locker. Searching at the bottom of her bag, she eventually fished it out and slipped the key into the slot.
Dempsey strolled out of Spikings's office, scanning the room for Harry. Chas was stood chatting by his desk so he walked over to him, putting an impatient hand on his arm to get his attention.
"Hey Chas, you seen Harry?"
He looked briefly at Dempsey.
"She's gone I think."
He said continuing the discussion. Dempsey frowned, waiting for a moment and then interrupting again.
"Did you say she'd gone?"
He shrugged and went back to the conversation again.
Makepeace came out of the locker room and went back to the office, passing Spikings on the way.
"Oh, sir, is Dempsey in there?"
"No, he left a few minutes ago, why?"
She didn't stop to answer him but ran out into the car park just in time to catch sight of his car turning out onto the road. She stood, staring after him with a mixture of confusion and disappointment on her face.
When Harry arrived home she felt deflated and downhearted so she went into the kitchen and poured herself a large glass of wine. Then she made her way to the sofa but noticed a waiting message on the answering machine so she walked over and pressed the button, leaning on the sofa arm and taking a sip of her wine as she listened. She was surprised to hear that the message had been left earlier that day and her head shot up in astonishment when she heard Dempsey's voice.
"I gotta tell you Harry, I can't get that kiss of ours outta my head. I keep playin' it over and over in my mind, only in my version Spikings doesn't walk in. You were unbelievable!" He growled then and his voice became quieter and deeper. "Now you're drivin' me outa my mind. I've never seen you so passionate! I wanna get you away from all these damn people. I wanna watch your face burn as I touch you. I want you shaking in my arms with pleasure. Just wait till I get you on your own Harriet Makepeace."
Then there was a click as he hung up. Harry sat staring at the answering machine in shock as an electric feeling shot through the pit of her stomach.