Choices. Jeff Edwards

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      * * *

      Legs shaking uncontrollably, Dan stumbled from the building.

      Further along the street he sighted a hotel, and he headed in that direction.

      ‘A whisky. No, make it a double,’ he ordered the elderly barman.

      The man smiled knowingly as he poured the drink. ‘You look like a man who has just been to the ICAC,’ he said as he placed the drink on the bar.

      Dan didn’t reply. Instead, he picked up the glass and downed its contents in one swallow.

      The barman winked and pointed to the hall leading to the toilets. ‘There’s a public phone down there. I’m guessing you might want to use it. A lot of people in your position do. You never know who’ll be listening in if you use your mobile.’

      Dan nodded. ‘Thanks.’

      Liam Ryan answered on the second ring.

      ‘It’s me,’ said Dan.

      ‘No names,’ warned Liam. ‘I’ve had visitors.’

      ‘Shit!’

      ‘That and a lot more. They’ve taken my computers and most of my files.’

      ‘What are you going to do?’

      ‘Wait until I get the call to appear.’

      ‘What will you tell them?’

      ‘The truth. What else can I tell them? I’m sorry they dragged you in.’

      ‘Yeah.’

      ‘And?’

      ‘And nothing. Do what you have to do,’ he said resignedly. ‘Look after yourself. There’s nothing you can do to save me. I’m a goner.’

      ‘I’m sorry. Let me know if there’s anything you need.’

      ‘Yeah. Thanks.’

      Dan hung up and made his way back to the bar.

      ‘Another double?’ asked the barman.

      ‘Just a beer.’

      ‘Feeling better are we?’

      ‘No. I’ve got to get back to work.’

      CHAPTER 2

       Dan

      As I left the pub I glanced at my watch and was totally surprised that it was still before midday. Everything that had happened had taken place so quickly that I half expected my watch to say that the day had gone.

      So it was still morning when I walked through the main door at police headquarters and attempted to swipe my security pass to get inside to my office.

      After four attempts I knew that the pass was not going to work, and I walked over to the reception desk. ‘I can’t get in,’ I told the girl as I showed her my card.

      ‘May I see it?’ she replied, holding out her hand.

      I handed it over and she entered the pass’ number onto her computer. I noted that she didn’t make any attempt to return the pass to me. ‘Just a minute,’ she said with an uncertain smile, ‘I’ll make a call.’

      ‘Mr Daniel Travers is down here at reception,’ she said into the phone. ‘His pass won’t work.’ She looked up at me. ‘They’ll be down in a moment.’

      I stood in the lobby watching people I had known for years passing through the gates and tried to look inconspicuous.

      A short time later the commissioner’s personal assistant together with a young constable arrived to collect my pass and escort me through the security barrier.

      I was then taken directly to the boss’ office where I was told to wait outside, and left under the constable’s watchful eye.

      Five minutes later a woman arrived who I recognised as one of our union representatives. ‘Let’s go in,’ she said, ushering me inside without a word of explanation.

      Seated beside the commissioner was his second-in-command with the PA in close proximity.

      We had hardly been seated before the commissioner began. ‘Travers, did you or did you not use the police computer to access information other than for official police business? Before you answer that question I want you to bear in mind that the force does not give a rat’s arse about any of the bullshit that you gave the ICAC this morning. This is a straight out question to be answered “yes” or “no”. Now what’s your answer?’

      I could see where the boss was coming from and I could sympathise with him. I had broken the rules, and no amount of lying would change that fact. No doubt they had plenty of evidence to back up any charge they would make against me.

      ‘Yes,’ I stated flatly.

      The commissioner handed me a letter. ‘Daniel Travers you are hereby relieved of your duties for committing the offence of unauthorised use of a police computer. You will accompany my personal assistant and an officer to your office where you will remove any items of a personal nature. You will then be escorted off these premises, and your actions will be referred to the Office of Public Prosecutions for further investigations. Please sign a copy of your dismissal notice for our records.’

      As I was doing so the commissioner said to me, ‘When he was on the force, Liam Ryan was a dodgy copper, and became an even dodgier private investigator when he left. Short cuts were always his forte. You were an idiot for getting caught up with him. I would have expected better of a good worker like you.’

      ‘I’m sorry sir.’

      ‘I’m sure you are, and I’m sure you’re going to be even sorrier.’

      CHAPTER 3

       Dan

      I sat on the train staring sightlessly out the window with the small box of personal possessions on the seat beside me. Not much to show for my years with the force, I thought grimly.

      My mind was a total mess with thoughts and impressions blasting away in all directions, none of which stayed with me for more than a microsecond before being replaced with yet another. I knew I was panicking but couldn’t help myself.

      The train slowed and pulled into a station. I watched as an elderly male staggered across the platform and climbed aboard. He was singing to himself and clutching a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag, and despite the fact that there were plenty of other empty seats to choose from at this time of the day, he elected to drop heavily next to me.

      I turned to pick up the box that lay on the seat between us to make more room but the old man nodded. ‘Don’t worry mate. Not going far.’

      As the train pulled out, the old СКАЧАТЬ