Chief Constable Alex Renton QPM received no criticism during the Inspector’s travels around the force so felt all was well with no complaints.

Arriving at headquarters HMI Woodcock stopped and viewed the tablet being erected by a workman.

“Had an officer killed Renton?” He asked adding, “I don’t recall hearing or seeing anything of it”.

“No sir, it’s a tablet paid for by the staff to honour a young officer, a dog handler who recently died on duty at Church Stretton”.

“I know the place,” replied Woodcock.

“The Long Mynd”.

“Yes that’s it Sir, a young officer, Constable Gerald Cheshire, suddenly and inexplicably was found dead in his dog van.  A strange case, a fit young man just had a heart wobbler and died, natural causes no inquest but strange”.

“Yes it was” replied the HMI and then walked on and into the Chief’s office.

“Not too bad Alex but there are one or two items with which I am not very impressed with.”

This caused the Chief to stop in his tracks, a wink was as good as nod in these matters, it appeared the visitor was not very pleased.

In the office, HMI Woodcock confirmed he was happy generally but did raise the following points and added.

“I will name them”.

 “I am concerned with the system of having only one beat officer in each town whilst the remaining officers have been renamed response officers.  This meant they are remaining sitting in the police stations all day long if they had no calls as was often the case in small towns during week days and early evening”.

“Secondly” he went on “Officers to whom I have spoken failed to name any local officials even the local vicar and worse any members of the public. They in turned failed to name even one officer save for a police woman who patrolled the odd day in the town”.

“I understand, complaints have been made of officers locking themselves away in police stations and were failing to answer the door when members of the public arrived.”

 “One officer had admitted being stationed in the small town for five years and never once had he walked a single street in the town.  This was bad use of resources and must change”.

He added, “I thought police stations were built to lock up criminals not the officers?”

“Finally Alex, appreciating officers were often very busy I feel it is quite reasonable to expect all officers to patrol on foot on the occasions when they had no calls.”

As a result I will make a note of this in my report to the Home Secretary.”

“ I hope if I have need to visit a manned police station in Shropshire in future the door will not be locked or if it is, those inside will open it to ascertain what I want, if not you will hear from me before the next inspection”.

“Yes Sir”, replied the deflated Chief-Constable, who thought, “just as well I received my QPM from the last HMI”.

Outside, both men saluted, Woodcock climbed into his car and called

“Drive on Watkiss”

Bad eye Watkiss replied “Pity about the young copper dying Sir, that’s two” said Watkiss.

“Yes Sid, it is. Rare events though, I admit it is strange, still, natural causes and there is no connection with the Shropshire and North Wales cases, just a coincidence”.

The following weekend at Tarporley Golf course Woodcock and Chief Ridwell of the Cheshire Police had enjoyed a very pleasant early morning round of golf and were seated just finishing the last of their morning coffee before it was time to return home to take the ladies out for the day.

Miles Ridwell sighed, it was Chester races and he was due to attend with some complimentary tickets he had received. His close friend and head of Cheshire Council Rupert Everett and his wife Fiona were to accompany Mavis and himself.

“Regretfully we have to attend some charity event before we attend the races, you know what ladies are,” he said

Woodcock nodding for he had not yet known what his fate was for the remainder of the day. It was likely to be costly.

“I say Miles, whilst carrying out the last set of Force Inspections I heard in passing the tragic cases of some young fit and seemingly perfectly well officers being found dead, yes very surprising.”

“Nothing criminal of course the post mortems revealed natural causes and not connected, two different forces, but strange”.

“Not as strange as the case I just had” said Miles

“Oh what was that?” asked Woodcock

“I had to face a double funeral when two of my officers were found dead in their patrol car, just as your cases, nothing criminal, natural causes a heart thing, as far as I can recall now, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since”.

“I mention it as being a one up on yours; in my case two officers were found, simply sitting in the bloody car, siren blasting and lights blazing.”

“I thought there was going to be worse when the poor fellow who found them and reported it, panicked left the scene and was nearly shot by two firearms officers in the bargain”.

“Think what shit there would have been over that now?”

The men smiled, rose for their seats and parted.

Miles arrived home a little late. His two friends, the Everett’s were waiting.

The ladies put on their large hats and fine new outfits for Ladies day at the races.

The men took their morning suits and top hats with them. It had been decided they would dress at the Force Headquarters it was all arranged with Chief Super Denton-Smyth who was also attending the races with his wife.

Miles phone rang, it was Denton-Smyth.

“I am awfully sorry Chief but due to a sudden family bereavement my wife and I will be unable to attend the races today”.

“I am sorry to hear that Craig” said the Chief

“Well it can’t be helped Sir, in fact I was thinking of taking a few days compassionate leave, it being the wife’s mother”.

“By all means, get your Inspector to stand in for you”.

“I would rather not Sir; it is Miss Ling she has the rank but no experience”.

“Oh yes I see, who will you get at such short notice?"

“I will get Sergeant Striker to cover. I realise he is only a sergeant but he is qualified to Inspector I was putting him up for promotion on the next board anyway, I could make him acting”.

“Yes do that Miles, you can quote me, make him up to acting Inspector whilst you are away, that is, if you are certain about this Inspector Ling not coping”.

“I am sure Sir, have you heard the gossip about Inspector Scott-Ling her flashing her tattoos in unmentionable places”.

“I did hear but thought I would speak to her about it myself Miles when I next see her, no need for you to bother with it”.

“OK Chief, I am sure it is correct to put Striker unofficially in command especially it being the races”

“You know with all the trouble that can occur we need someone who can handle such situations especially if violence is involved.”

“I wouldn’t want to risk having this female officer in charge”.

“I understand Craig, imagine we, that is my wife and our friends being involved and from what you say had to rely on this Inspector Scott-Ling”.

The call ended, Striker was pleased to be told he was promoted acting inspector, albeit temporarily, seems promotion was definitely on the cards.

It was a very sunny and pleasantly warm Saturday afternoon, for the first Chester Races of the season.

Doris Scott-Ling left her office and went down stairs, on arrival her friend and supposed mentor Sergeant Striker saw her and instantly said.

“Ling, I am now acting Inspector, seems you have nothing to do, take this new probationer around the city centre, roust some of those bloody buskers all that noise and begging, you have my permission to kick their arses.”

“Ok” she replied. “Come on son what is your name?”

“Chris Thomas” he replied

“Come on Chris let us take a walk. It is race day you may see some funny costumes”.