Kate Makes a Big Decision by Ann Reader

credit: Gencraft

The hours of study Kate fitted in around her work culminated in her Sergeants' exams and now she awaited the result. Kate arrived at the CID office that morning to an email requesting her to meet with the Super at 10. She was fairly sure she would now find out the worse. It was with some trepidation she knocked on his door.  She had done her best but would that be good enough.

“Congratulations Sergeant Chalmers, you’ve done this station proud. Very high marks! Well done.” Kate felt herself go weak at the knees with relief.  “Come and sit-down Sergeant now we’ve got to decide what to do with you! The situation at present is this: we don’t have a vacancy in this station for a Sergeant in CID. There will be one coming up in uniform in about 6 months, it’s no secret that Sergeant Carter will be retiring later this year.  You could apply for that and hope a CID vacancy comes up. Likewise, you could just stay as you are until a vacancy appears.  Don’t get me wrong, we don’t want to lose you, you’ve been a very valuable member of our team, but I think you are ambitious, and you’ll want to progress.”

Kate felt the elation draining from her. She had concentrated so hard on passing the exams she hadn’t given much thought to what would happen next. She didn’t want to return to uniform.  That would mean a move away from her personal crusade against the drugs that had killed her younger brother, her motivation for joining the police force in the first place.

“There are always Sergeants’ jobs going in the Met if you fancy a move to London, and I expect it’s the same in other big cities,  it goes without saying that we would give you an excellent reference.” The Super continued. 

Kate didn’t really want to move, not permanently.  She had found friends and amazingly her brother’s child.  She wanted to watch little Andy grow up.  She struggled to prevent her dismay showing on her face.

“I have got another suggestion to make to you,” he smiled, and Kate felt she was being set up for this. “I would like to put you forward for a special operation.  It’s a multi-agency investigation involving the customs and excise, the home office, the harbour master and ourselves.  We believe that drugs, illegal immigrants and duty-free tobacco and other goods are being imported through Southampton. From the police side we are looking for officers to work undercover. You have done a little undercover work, and you have never worked in Southampton so you could be suitable. 

“The person recruited for this part of the operation would have to live in Southampton for the duration of the operation.  It’s not a permanent move and you would still remain answerable to this force. You would receive pay on the Sergeant’s scale and accommodation will be found for you. It will not be salubrious.  Although you will receive decent pay it will be paid into a secret account which can be used to pay your mortgage up here and other commitments.  In Southampton it is essential that you appear to be short of money.  You will be working as an invoice clerk in the shipping office.  The wages are low and will in part be deducted from the salary paid into your account up here.  If you are accepted for the role, you will be given training in the work of an invoice clerk and a credible back story. Your role will be to watch and report back but also to appear strapped for cash and not too bright. The hope is that you will be recruited by the criminal gang and be able to supply us with information as to how money is moved as think the invoice department at the port may be being used.

“It’s not known how long this investigation will take, so you will be allowed a trip back here roughly every six weeks provided it is not likely to jeopardise the operation.  It means you will still be able to maintain some ties here, but you will not be able to have any regular contact such as phone calls or texts. We will provide a pay as you go phone in the name you will be using.  You may not give the number to friends or family.  You will be required to leave your own mobile here. You may tell family you are on a secret operation but not where and they will not be able to visit you. 

“It can be very lonely doing this kind of work Kate, it may also be dangerous, although as many safeguards as possible will be put in place, but there is a lot of money at stake. I advise you to discuss it with those closest to you on a very outline basis before you decide. Having said that we are under pressure to get this operation up and running so I would ask you to let me know as soon as possible.  If you decide I should not put you forward for this, I will be asking you to forget we have had this conversation. 

“Now is there anything else you need to know to make your decision?”

TO BE CONTINUED ...