The Torments of Memory
Disclaimer: Gene and the lads belong to BBC, Kudos and Monastic. So, of course, does our heroine. No copyright infringements intended.
Chapter 3
Once conceded, delegation gradually became the norm. New teams clustered around Terry and Mercer, and Gene found that he had time on his hands. Less activity meant more time to remember and rituals such as toasting the badge became something to focus on each week. No-one thought to question his actions, and after a while even the need to draw the office blinds faded.
The ritual of 'going for a beer' became even more important. During his first few months at Fenchurch East, Brian Mercer made a real effort to adapt to his new surroundings and this meant participating in the after-work pub visits. Gene noted, with approval, that 'Joe' was scrupulous in buying his share of the drinks and assumed that he was settling in as one of the team.
DI Mercer, meanwhile, was biding his time; still uncertain how best to react to his boss's old-fashioned ways. I'd prefer to drink lager, but the best thing for me is to get in tight with the rest of the lads. Tackling the problem of the 'Guv' I'll leave for later. The embarrassment of his first encounter with DCI Hunt faded after a few weeks and as his confidence increased, Brian decided to take matters into his own hands. He approached the Division's senior officers with plans to introduce a proper computer network throughout the station and was delegated to organise training for all officers.
The rate of change accelerated as fear of 'Discipline and Complaints' was replaced by what Terry and Gene agreed was the curse of 'Health and Safety'. The arrival of the new computers seemed to lead to a paradoxical increase in the amount of paperwork, but an influx of female officers helped reassure the boys in CID that their working environment was improving.
Mercer was satisfied in having created a new unifying force: individuals connected through technology, not bound together through the strength of one man's will. The DI was determined to make this strange posting work to his advantage, and began to cultivate any new arrivals. Sooner or later they would take his advice on how things should be done. It was a massive project to have evidence files and other records transferred to the network, but generally the station staff proved anxious to assist. The one exception was DCI Hunt, who stubbornly refused to make his Personnel archive public. Brian's private comments to Terry on what he saw as 'this refusal to accept change' could easily have resulted in a disciplinary charge. However, face to face with an unsmiliing DCI, both men kept their thoughts to themselves and accepted the excuse that the files were linked to a Special Branch operation.
After these months of tedious consolidation, DI Mercer felt brave enough to turn his sights on the 'Guv'. Brian had never had problems with Terry, and he began his questions when they were trapped in a squad car observing activities at a local timber yard.
"Tell me about the DCI. I can't make him out. Seems a real old-timer. He barely copes with the cassettes in the interview rooms, never mind anything more up to date."
"Started off up Manchester way I believe, but he's been at Fenchurch East for ages now."
"Married?"
"He was once, but now it's the job I'd say. Never seen him with anyone outside work."
"Do you like working at Fenchurch East?"
"Can't really remember anything else. The Guv is hard but fair, and always looks out for his team. I ought to warn you though, he has a real temper so you don't want to piss him off if you can help it."
Later that week Terry and Brian were in CID working through some old files in preparation for the data transfer project. Brian had a high opinion of his own interview techniques and decided it was time for a little more probing.
"I've noticed the Guv has this ritual, Terry, regular as clockwork. Once a week he sits down in the office and toasts something or someone called 'Bolly-kecks'. What's that about? I wouldn't have pegged Hunt as OCD."
"Who is Bolly-kecks? I'd like to know."
Terry replied in level tones, "A female DI, transferred out just before you arrived. We don't talk about it."
"But all that stuff about toasting the badge?" Mercer pressed the point. "This Bolly – you can tell me the truth." Something of Brian's true nature seemed to emerge from the shadows. "What was she like, Terry? Just a tease, or the Guv's 'bit of skirt'?"
He hadn't exactly whispered the question and before Terry could reply, DCI Hunt erupted into the office grabbing Mercer by his lapels and hoiking him to his feet.
"That's DI Alex Drake to you, you piece of shit!" The Guv's finally lost it, thought Terry. "One of the finest officers ever to grace this station. The chances of you matchin' up to her record are the longest shot since the '67 Grand National! So in future, don't speak unless I ask you a question an' keep your filthy opinions to yourself."
Mercer blanched at this torrent of abuse. Terry was right. When will I learn to keep my mouth shut?
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Is Gene losing his grip? Has he lost control of his team?
Galex-related complications to follow
TBC
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