Complicity Part 5 (1/2) By Nick Quantrill

(1/2), (2/2). Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

Complicity is the new crime-fiction novella set in Hull featuring Detective Sergeant Coleman and Detective Constable Maynard. The thisisull.com serialisation is accompanied by the stunning black and white photography of Roland Standaert, which illustrates the story and takes a unique look at the city. Complicity and other stories are available for free. Please contact hullcrimefiction@hotmail.co.uk. for further details. Roland can be contacted at rockgraphy@mac.com.

Complicity Part 6

Coleman sat in Detective Inspector McCormack's office, nursing a coffee and a headache from the previous night's beating. It promised to be a bleak day as he watched the rain slide down the office window. McCormack wasn't in the best of moods once Coleman started to explain what had happened the previous night. He was fortunate that Maynard had decided to follow him after they had left the pub. He was even more fortunate that he had saved him from a more severe beating from Mallory's muscle. He was also in debt to Maynard for taking him back to his house and cleaning him up.

McCormack had his head in his hands. 'You were very lucky last night, Richard, very lucky. I think we can safely say that Mallory was the man behind the drugs and most likely that it was Ryan Stutt who sold it to her, but we'll never prove it. With time, it'll be seen as a tragic accident. You can't afford to let people like Mallory and Stutt get to you.'

Coleman nodded. 'I know. I don't know what I was thinking of. I suppose I just couldn't bare to think that they were going to simply walk away from this mess without a care in the world.' 'I sympathise, Richard, I really do. Mallory is a piece of shit of the highest order and we'd all like to see him taken off the streets. You're right though, it was stupid of you. Especially as wheels are already in motion in relation to Mallory.' 'I don't understand, Sir.'

'Your guardian angel was watching you every step of the way. One of the guys who started to do you over is undercover. I think he quite enjoyed himself. It's a long-term project but we've managed to get someone inside Mallory's organisation. The only way to nail him is through infiltration and the use of forensic accountants to unpick his business activities.'

Coleman swallowed and nodded his understanding. Shit, he'd come very close to blowing the operation with his own stupidity and naivety. 'I had no idea.' 'Good. You weren't supposed to have. At least some good has come from this. It seems that Mallory was so pleased with the way that our man steamed into you, he's even more convinced of his authenticity.' Coleman managed a weak smile.

McCormack leaned forward and pointed at him over the table. 'Don't forget you nearly fucked this up. You owe me now. I've taken a chance telling you this. As you can appreciate, this operation has to remain air-tight.' 'Fair enough, Sir'.

Continued... Next Page (2/2)

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