The next morning, Hathaway was a bit surprised to find Lewis already in the office, clear-eyed and dressed in one of his better suits. Chief Superintendent Innocent seemed to be more present than usual during the morning, however, and they did not discuss what was uppermost in their minds until she disappeared around lunchtime.
"So is Danny okay about this, being arrested by you? He's not going to bolt, is he?"
"I'll give him every chance I can. But when he found out I'll be getting the sack if I don't bring him in tonight, he practically turned himself in right then. It's not just a matter of me doing what's right by him. It goes both ways."
"You mean if Crandall can't deliver as promised and Danny is looking at some kind of conviction, you two will be fighting over who throws himself under the bus."
"We've worked it out, who pays what price. And you won't interfere." It was not a question. "Hell's teeth, I can't wait til this is over."
"You look like you could use some rest, Sir."
"Definitely. You know, I think I prefer dragging my partner through a burning building than this drawn-out pressure."
"You mean dragging your partner out of a burning building."
"Oh, aye, that too."
Around half past four, they headed out to the Shepherd's Crook. It was a popular gathering place for local laborers and workmen, and most of the customers were dusty compared to the two officers in suits.
They sat at an outdoor table, as planned. Hathaway smoked and drank his orange juice. Lewis had ordered a scotch.
He noticed Hathaway's raised eyebrow. "What? I might not have time to finish a pint."
From where they were sitting, they could see people going into and coming out of the entrance to the pub. Just after five, Lewis focused on a short man approaching at a steady pace. He nodded in that direction.
"I'll be in the car." Hathaway ground out his cigarette and went directly to the car to avoid being seen by Danny. Now that they had reached the last point of turning back, he would let the decision be between Lewis and his old mate. He wondered if only one man would be returning to the car and, if so, what James would say to him.
After about fifteen minutes, he saw them emerge from the pub together. Lewis had his arm across Danny's shoulders. Neither was talking. They got in the back seat without a word. The scotch was heavy on their breath.
Hathaway drove back to the station and Danny was processed and taken into custody. Lewis hung back from the custody officer on duty, letting Hathaway handle the face-to-face. It would not do to have the other man wonder about his sobriety. But he and Danny had to have a couple of last shots together, just in case the whole thing blew up in their faces.
When Hathaway was done, the officer on duty picked up the phone to make a call. "Chief Superintendent Innocent asked me to notify her when you two brought him in."
Hathaway sidled up to Lewis. "Mint, Sir?" offering him one. Gratefully, Lewis took it and sucked on it, trying to get the maximum benefit. Then Hathaway phoned Crandall, but told him to stall a bit. It would be better if Innocent was gone by the time Danny was released.
A few minutes later, she swept into the processing area where they waited for Crandall. "I've just telephoned Lady Chilton, and she is very pleased with the outcome. She has invited me for tomorrow's garden tea, even. She did say she would have invited you two, but it will be a ladies' event and you'd both be rather out of place. She had hoped to introduce her new gardener, she is quite pleased with the fellow you recommended, Lewis, but unfortunately he relies on the bus for transportation and it doesn't run on the weekends."
Lewis almost gagged, drawing her attention. She frowned. "Is that liquor I smell, Lewis?"
"Um, bile. Bit of a dodgy stomach."
She did not look completely convinced, but let it go. "Well, congratulations on wrapping this up. There was no link to the other break-ins, then?"
Hathaway answered. "There was really no evidence from those. No one bothered with fingerprints at the time because it was considered too petty to be worth it."
"Pity. It would be nice to improve our clean-up rate and really get this chap." She looked around. "CPS is not here yet? I really can't wait any longer. Need to get something new to wear to the garden tea. I suppose I'll see you both on Monday, then." She gave Lewis a departing look that was a cross between Good work and You got a real break this time.
No sooner had she left than Crandall arrived. "Gentlemen?"
"Good timing, Blair. The governor just left."
"What do you think I was waiting for in the car park?" He grinned. "No witnesses? Let's see what the paperwork looks like." He reviewed the forms and attachments. Then he called his supervisor to let her know he would not be charging this one.
"There's just no evidence to speak of. They can link the bloke to the house at the right time, but there's the same evidence for five other guys." He listened to the response. "Yeah, well, the officer in charge has—" he broke off. "Inspector Lewis, how long have you been a detective?"
Lewis had to think a minute. "About twenty-five years."
"—twenty-five years' experience. I think he did know better but their guv was pushing for it, hard. I'll talk to you about it when I get back."
He signed the dismissal and handed it to Lewis to sign. Lewis passed it over to Hathaway since it was Hathaway's name on the warrant. The less traceable involvement Lewis had, the happier he'd be.
The custody officer went back with Danny's things and told him he was free to go, no charges had been filed. When Danny came out, he shook hands first with Hathaway, then with Lewis. Lewis put his left hand on Danny's shoulder, and Danny put his on their clasped right hands. Danny was choking up, but managed, "Thanks, lads."
Lewis turned to Crandall. "Thanks, mate. You've done what's right here."
Crandall pulled Hathaway to one side. "So how much pressure was there? These two blokes are mates, if I'm not mistaken."
Hathaway looked at the floor. "It was arrest someone, or Lewis would be out. Sacked. No pension, nothing."
"Christ, no wonder you two made the pinch based on nothing. You would do, wouldn't you? She was way out of bounds on this."
"That's not my call, Blair. Just keeping my nose clean."
"It's a waste of man hours. When my guv sees the file on this, she's going to throw a fit."
"As long as she keeps Inspector Lewis out of it. Hey, Blair, thanks a heap for this. You've done a good turn."
Crandall headed out. "Goodnight, gentlemen. Nice working with you."
They called out their thanks and farewells as one.
Hathaway drove them to Lewis's house. He declined an invitation to come in for a drink, feeling it would be a bit intrusive if he did. Lewis stood at the driver's window a moment, smiling quietly.
"Thanks." Volumes were left unsaid.
Hathaway spoke up. "Shall I get Laura to set up a party tomorrow night?" Of the three of them, Laura was the only one with a house big enough for a decent party. "I'd like to meet Mack."
"Yeah, that'd be great. By tomorrow I think I'll be ready for a party." He looked a bit askance at Hathaway. "But you're going to wish by tomorrow night that you hadn't said that about wanting to meet Mack."
After he got home, Hathaway poured himself a scotch and sucked down the whole thing. They had pulled this off, saved both men's hides. He felt unreservedly good about it. Then he called Laura.
"James! I've been waiting to hear. How'd it go?"
"Thumbs up. We need a party."
"Great! I'll get some of the guys from work, too, so there will be some fun people there."
"Hey! We can be fun!"
"Right. We'll say eight but why don't you two come a bit early? Seven?"
"Okay, but it'll be we four. Two of Lewis's old mates are in town."
A moment's pause. "I am really behind on what's going on. See you tomorrow!"
* * *