The DI she’d recognized interrupted her as he asked Bradfield, who was still behind the bar, for a pint of bitter, one lager, two whisky chasers and three G and Ts. Ron said to serve him as he had to pop down the cellar to change the lager barrel. As Bradfield placed the gin and tonics on the bar the DI said to have one for himself, so he got another double Scotch.
‘How’s the murder inquiry going, guv?’ the DI asked, handing him the money.
Bradfield leaned on the counter. ‘Every time I think we’re near to a result it’s back to square one and the Chief Super’s on my back. Right now it’s depressing as well as time-consuming, in fact I wished I’d never copped the bloody job, and call me Len when we’re off duty.’
Jane felt awkward as Bradfield had made no effort to introduce her. She listened as the DI told Bradfield that a bloke from the local Horne Brothers men’s clothing warehouse had been in earlier.
‘He’s got a new line of two- and three-piece pinstripes coming in, Italian made, top quality, and he’s allowed to give a discount to Old Bill. You interested?’
‘I don’t know,’ Bradfield slurred, now very unsteady on his feet.
‘We’re all getting one; as good as anything you’d pick up in Savile Row apparently.’
‘How much are they?’ Bradfield asked.
‘They’d normally be thirty-five but eighteen cash to us.’
‘Go on then, put me on the list.’
‘Mannie Charles is doing the alterations so give me your exact measurements at work tomorrow,’ he said and took the girls’ drinks over to them.
The DI returned to the bar with his colleague who stood the other side of Jane.
‘So who’s your girlfriend, Len?’ he said as he put his arm around her.
‘WPC Jane Tennison, a probationer who’s filling in as my squad indexer, and I’ve warned her to stay clear of reprobates like you two.’
‘What you drinkin’, darlin?’ the DI asked.
Jane felt ill at ease as he still had his arm around her but before she could say anything Bradfield took the cork out of the bottle and topped her glass up again.
She felt even more awkward as the two men drew up stools to sit either side of her, and proceeded to flirt and pat her knees. Bradfield moved away from the bar to go and join the men playing bar billiards. The more uncomfortable she felt, the more they leered and made suggestions about how she could get satisfaction with either or both of them and asked if she had ever had a threesome. She wasn’t sure if they were being serious or just teasing her for their own sordid gratification.
Sarah appeared at the bar. ‘Get off her, you leery wankers. Just cos your stupid chat-up lines won’t work with me and the girls there’s no need to start on her.’
They laughed and Sarah took hold of Jane’s arm pulling her from the stool. ‘Come on over to our table, Janet, it’s safer there. We’re thinking about going for a curry – want to join us?’
‘It’s Jane, and thank you but I am going back to the-’
‘Rubbish, come on, it’s just down the road.’
‘No really, I’ve work in the morning and I’m very tired.’
Sarah shrugged and went back to her girlfriends as both men followed her and said they would like to go for a curry as well.
Ron rang the last-orders bell to get everyone’s attention. ‘Right, that’s it, you lot. I’m knackered so I’m off to me bed. If you want something help yourself and leave the money by the till, all tips gratefully accepted. Oh and if you’re doing afters someone draw the curtains.’
Jane couldn’t wait to get out and hesitated only to say goodnight to Bradfield, but he was no longer by the billiard table or anywhere in the pub.
Exiting the premises Jane heard the sound of retching from the side alley and saw Bradfield leaning forward, his hands on his knees, and being sick. He looked terrible, his shirt collar unbuttoned, his tie loose, and he was wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.
‘Are you all right, sir?’
He peered at her.
‘No I’m bloody not,’ he said, straightening up, but he looked very unsteady.
‘Do you need a hand?’
‘No, just leave me be.’
She was embarrassed and had turned to walk away when she heard him retching again and being violently sick.
‘Do you want me to get you some water?’
He rested a hand against the wall, sweating and dabbing at his face with the handkerchief.
He moved towards her. ‘Just had too much to drink, that’s all,’ he slurred, and bumped into the wall. ‘I need to get to bed.’
She moved closer, and he gave a boyish shake of his head.
‘Be all right in a minute.’
‘Here, lean on me and I’ll help you walk over the road and get the warden to call a cab for you.’
‘No need for the cab, I’m staying there,’ he said and slowly lurched forward. She caught him, almost buckling under his weight.
She put her arm around his waist to help support him across the road. He was really very unsteady, and they zigzagged to the other side before he took a deep breath and tried to straighten up.
‘Sorry about this, been knocking it back since lunchtime.’
