Minor Corruption Read Online Free PDF

see,” Cobb said, though he was having a
hard time imagining such sweeping change. “But they’ll still need a
new chief, won’t they?”
    “They will. And believe me, Cobb, if I
thought there was the slightest chance you would consider it, I’d
recommend you.”
    Cobb looked at Sturges long and hard enough
for him to realize that he was deeply touched by the offer but was
not tempted, even now, to change his mind on the question. “You
know I can’t,” he said at last.
    “I do. And I didn’t bring you up here to
browbeat or sweet-talk you into takin’ on the job. As it turns out,
the Council is lookin’ to London again fer another chief, as they
did fer me.”
    “Another – ”
    “Limey? Yes, I’m afraid so.” Sturges chuckled
for the second time, tickled at Cobb’s embarrassment, which
inevitably reddened his already scarlet nose. “Alderman MacArthur
is headin’ to England this week, and he’s been asked to interview
candidates and bring back a recommendation when he returns in
December.”
    “So I’m off the hook?”
    “Not entirely. For there’s a second change
comin’, a very interestin’ one.”
    Cobb waited, wary and apprehensive.
    “I’ve been in correspondence with colleagues
in London, old pals of mine, and it seems like the police over
there are plannin’ to create a new class of investigator, someone
who will not be on patrol or even in uniform.”
    “Sounds crazy to me. What would they do
without a truncheon or a helmet to protect their noggins?”
    “These men would be called detectives. Their
sole purpose would be to investigate serious crimes – gather
evidence and question suspicious people and witnesses. The idea of
havin’ them in plain, gentleman’s attire is to allow them to move
about at will without scarin’ people and without havin’ to be stuck
on regular patrol. They’d need more brains than brawn.”
    “But me and the Major’ve been investigatin’
quite nicely on our own, ain’t we?”
    Sturges smiled as if he had at long last
reached the target he had been aiming at all along. “ Very nicely, Cobb. That’s my point. And that’s why I’m goin’ to
recommend to Council that when the new chief arrives and the force
gets reorganized, you be made our first plainclothes
detective.”
    Cobb was speechless. He wasn’t even sure how
he ought to feel.
    “Don’t look so surprised or worried. The
changes’ll not be that severe. I know the Council will resist the
idea – they’re all stuck in the Dark Ages – so I intend to suggest
that we begin the experiment by havin’ you keep yer patrol –
day-patrol only, I might add – until a major crime occurs, one that
requires real investigation. Then you will be relieved of yer
patrol, remove yer uniform, and carry out the investigation as
you see fit. Subject to the chief’s guidance, you will be
allowed to direct one or more patrolmen to assist you, as
required.”
    “Like I done with the Major, except I get to
wear my Sunday suit?”
    “Except you won’t have Marc Edwards at yer
side.”
    Cobb thought about that. Marc had taught him
much about interrogation and evidence-gathering. They had worked
well as a team. Could he work alone? More to the point, would the
Major be available in any case now that he had two children, a
barrister’s career, and a consuming passion for politics? Not
likely.
    “It would mean a substantial increase in yer
salary,” Sturges said, seeing that Cobb had sniffed at the bait and
was now mouthing it.
    That offer was welcome news, for Cobb had
school fees to pay for Delia’s winter term at Miss Tyson’s Academy
and, by next autumn, similar fees for Fabian at the grammar school.
Fabian was already the brightest pupil in the common school and
destined for something better than the life of a police
constable.
    “You’d be willin’ to suggest all this to the
Council?” he said when he felt confident enough to speak.
    “I would.”
    “But with a new chief and all these