Complicity Part 1 (5/5) By Nick Quantrill

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

'With that in mind Richard, Neil and I have arranged a meeting for you with Simon Gale from ERDAG this afternoon. We thought it'd give you a feel for some of the specific problems that we're facing. Unfortunately, the local newspaper has arranged to be present, as they're not missing out on their pound of flesh. I would have gone myself but I have uncancellable meetings arranged. However, I do feel it is important that we have a senior presence on this one. Are you aware of ERDAG's work?' 'Vaguely, 'East Riding Drugs Awareness Group', they operate a drug awareness centre on Wright Street?' 'That's right. Gale is the director of the centre.

They educate youngsters on the dangers of drug use. Apparently, we've worked with them on educational programmes in the past. Obviously Mr Gale is very keen that we find the people responsible for this tragedy.' 'I'm sure such a tragedy is a valuable opportunity for him to highlight, via the local press, the work that his centre is doing.' McCormack glared at Coleman. 'That'll be all for now Richard.'

Coleman returned to his office with a headache. He wanted a progress report from Maynard, but he was still interviewing Ryan Stutt. He poured himself a coffee and reflected on the meeting with McCormack. He wasn't happy. It wasn't that he had more than enough work to do. It wasn't that he didn't want to bring the people responsible for selling the drug that killed Laura to justice. It hadn't come out right; of course he cared about teenagers dying from drugs, he cared about anybody who died from a drugs overdose, regardless of whether they were thrill-seeking or looking for oblivion.

He was deeply unhappy about drug dealing in the city, but he knew that where there was demand, there was always going to be supply. It was the new initiative that angered him. It angered him because he knew he was being lined up to take any potential blame sometime down the line, yet it was more than that. It was the sheer fucking pointlessness of the operation. It was nothing more than a sop to the public by senior officers who clearly lacked a perspective on the reality of the situation. A clampdown on the dealers in the city centre would, at best, net a few low-level dealers. The men behind them were much cleverer. It would take more than a hastily thrown together police operation to bring them down. The local press would report on any clampdown as a great triumph, the public would be suitably reassured that their streets were being kept drug free, and the likes of McCormack would receive their due reward. He threw on his raincoat. He had an appointment to keep at ERDAG.

© 2006 Nick Quantrill

Continued on www.thisisUll.com...... Part 2.

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