The place was almost deserted by then and I was glad, for I got pretty emotional. So did Sarah. When we were done, I don’t believe we’ve ever felt closer to each other.
I made one more call before I headed home, to Sandra Bulloch’s direct line, dropping a message on her voicemail to tell her I wouldn’t be in the office before Wednesday, and instructing her to call the Police Authority first thing in the morning and advise them that they would soon be receiving formal notice of the withdrawal of my application for the exalted post of Chief Constable of the new Police Scotland.
It had nothing to do with Ignacio, and his situation. I had decided, before I ever knew about him, that if the politicians wanted to make a stupid, unnecessary mistake, I wasn’t going to help them make it work.
I left then and started the walk home, the first steps of a longer journey. I have no clear idea where it will take me. My future may be within the police force, it may be outside. Whatever, it’ll be on my terms.
Who knows? As I reflected that night, as I passed the Palacio de Ginebra once more, this time I might even buy that damn boat.
Hour Of Darkness Page 37
