Spanish Inquisition by Elizabeth Darrell

you’re due to face a medical board next month, Max. D’you want to pass it and get back to work, or take chances which could delay that for another month? Or two?’ Into the pause, he asked, ‘Have you even had a check-up with the MO?’
    Max ignored that last. ‘I flew in from Spain on Sunday night to learn that Sergeant Piercey, one of my own team, had been accused of violent assault against a female corporal. I not unnaturally wanted the details, feeling certain it was a case of mistaken identity because the scenario didn’t fit what I know of Piercey. All I have done is talk to him man to man to assess his defence. That was yesterday. When I heard the girl had gone AWOL I decided to come in this morning for the briefing, which I hoped would go some way to supporting Piercey’s assertion that he’s innocent of the charge.’ He looked Pinkney in the eye to add, ‘I’ve not “put my spoke in” anything. Tom Black is still commanding the Section, and making a fine job of it, sir. As for the Doc, she was on the spot in the company of Major MacPherson when that tanker hit a load of gas cylinders last night, so they spent the greater part of it helping with the casualties. There’s been no opportunity for me to get checked out by either of them . . . yet.’
    Tom had clearly been eavesdropping, for he made a nicely timed entrance with the coffee. Pinkney took the bone china mug reserved for visiting seniors, then sank on one of the chairs facing Max’s desk.
    â€˜Sit down, both of you. Fill me in on where you’ve got to on this assault case.’
    Although Max took his usual chair behind his desk, he made no attempt to lead the conversation. Tom gave a precis of the stage they had reached in what appeared to be two cases tenuously linked to Phil Piercey.
    â€˜He’s dumbfounded, sir. Has no idea why he’s being victimized, or by whom.’
    â€˜It’s more than likely to be someone whom Piercey crossed during a past case. An eye for an eye.’
    â€˜Or he just happens to be a handy scapegoat,’ offered Max. ‘Norton must have known her fiction would be easily disproved. My guess is that, in her state of collapse after the beating, his name was the obvious one to quote in order to avert blame from someone she tried to shield, or was afraid to betray.’ Warming to his theme, he added, ‘There’s obviously a deeper issue here. Why else would Norton run?’
    Pinkney eyed him speculatively. ‘Haven’t put your spoke in? Balls! Captain Goodey knew what she was doing when she installed you far away in Spain. Only way to make you relax and heal, man.’
    â€˜I
have
healed. I’m back to full fitness . . . as she’ll be forced to record when I finally manage to secure an appointment for a check-up.’
    The Regional Commander stood, causing the other two to do the same. ‘Thank you for bringing me up to speed with this rather disturbing affair, Tom. Early days, yet, but keep me informed on a daily basis. We’ll do our best to keep it out of the tabloids, but there’s always a blabbermouth willing to tell tales.’
    â€˜
Isn’t
there, sir,’ agreed Max pointedly.
    Pinkney laughed. ‘Keep a low profile for the next two weeks. Nourishing food, nothing too strenuous, and early nights. Maybe a little light reading such as a detective story concerning an SIB sergeant wrongly accused of ABH.’ He offered his hand. ‘Good to see you back on your feet, Max, and with everything intact. Any problems, call me.’
    Turning to Tom, he said, ‘You’ve done a first class job over the past four months. Don’t let him rob you of the last few days.’
    Returning to the subject of Su Carfax’s concern over an item of sensitive information Maria Norton had been made aware of, Max and Tom hammered out the possible influence it might have had on the pregnant