The Devil's Interval Read Online Free PDF

opportunity?’
    ‘Realistically, no.’
    ‘I see. Well, that’s…..disappointing.’
     
    Clark paused, but Pepper had no intention of filling the silence. She’d been a copper for the better part of fifteen years longer than the Super, and she could just sit there for the rest of the shift, if she really needed to.
    ‘I really am torn on this one, Pepper. For a start, I have to tell you that I’m recommending you for a commendation. To tackle two angry, armed individuals in a confined space demonstrated a level of bravery and skill that I never expected to see. I’m really still just a civilian in uniform, and I’ll be honest with you, I froze. I could never have done what you did.’
    ‘Thank you, ma’am.’
    ‘But I also saw what you did to that man, Pepper. I heard the bones break, literally. There’s almost no doubt in my mind that you continued to hit him for several seconds after he presented no viable threat to you, or to anyone else.’
    ‘You’re almost sure?’
    ‘Exactly. If I was sure, and if things hadn’t happened quite so fast, then we’d be having a different conversation now. I’d have no hesitation in suspending you, and in recommending that you be dismissed from the service. We’re here to protect the public, even the shitty ones, and not to beat them to a pulp.’
    ‘I didn’t hit him that hard, ma’am, or that often.’
    ‘You just don’t see it, do you? So I do need to take action. Because I’m genuinely worried about what you might do next time, Pepper. I’m concerned that you could very easily end up facing an assault charge or worse, and that you might seriously injure someone. So I’m going to arrange for you to attend a series of counselling sessions, with the force psychiatrist.’
    ‘Doctor Doom, ma’am? They only use him when some poor bobby has had to deal with a dead baby or something.’
    ‘PTSD is one of Dr. Collier’s specialities, Pepper. And I should make clear to you that this is optional. I can’t force you to attend.’
     
    Clark broke off, and poured the tea. It was the colour of the Caldew in spate.
    ‘Thanks’, said Pepper, accepting the cup, ‘but no thanks, ma’am. I’ll watch my temper in future, OK?’
    ‘No, that’s not OK. Let me be clear about this Pepper. You don’t have to attend, and you’ll be commended either way, but if you fail to turn up I will arrange for you to be transferred to a core support function, either here to HQ.’
    ‘Not the living dead, ma’am.’
    Clark laughed. ‘I’m one of them, Pepper, remember that. And I was thinking of personnel, actually.’
     
    Pepper laughed. She just couldn’t help it. The idea was just so daft.
    ‘No, I’m being serious,’ said Clark. ‘I’m taking you off the street. The risk is just too high, to yourself and to the public. You’ll be a loss, obviously, but you leave me no choice.’
    ‘I’ll do it then, the counselling. Just tell me where and when.’
    ‘That’s excellent news. I would have hated to lose a front line officer of your quality. But be in no doubt, Pepper. I don’t bluff, so if you don’t show up, or just take the piss, you’ll be collating PCSO training records for the foreseeable.’
    ‘I get you, and thanks. I know that I put you in a spot yesterday.’
    ‘You did. And be honest, just between us. Did you hit that tosser too hard?’
    ‘Honestly? I didn’t hit him anything like hard enough.’
    Mary Clark shook her head. ‘I’ll email you the doctor’s details within the hour, Pepper. And I expect you to make contact and get something sorted today.’
     
     
    When the call came through to Rex Copeland he was surprised. Not because a member of the public was offering information per se , because in his experience the criminal classes, for all their protestations of old-school loyalty, thought nothing of grassing each other up over all manner of real and perceived slights, usually utterly trivial. It always amused him that most of them