But something else caught his eye, and before saying another word, he marched across to the far end of the office. On the wall was his Bliss Pissed-ometer, a joke cardboard thermometer dating back to his first posting to the city. It was intended to gauge his mood, the joke being that its settings never climbed above grumpy. He reached up and yanked it off the wall, drawing pins springing out, scattering over the carpet like a shower of confetti.
‘I think this has had its day,’ he said. He crumpled it in half and stuffed it into the wastepaper basket close to the desk.
Bishop wore a look of concern. ‘That was a bit drastic, Jimmy. I realise the situation has to be hard on you, but this’ll be your office again before you know it.’
‘I’m not so sure about that, Bish.’
‘What? That you’ll get it back or that you’ll want it back?’
Bliss looked down at his feet. ‘Either. Both. But the fact is, it’s not my office any more, and we all have to adjust to that.’
‘Okay. So is that why you wanted to have a word with me in here?’
‘Primarily, I wanted to speak to you out of earshot,’ Bliss said. ‘I think we’ve reached that stage.’
‘This still about the change in our respective roles?’
‘What else? Bish, I think it’s about time you stepped up and became the boss in more than name only. I accept your reservations, and I understand your argument about this possibly being a temporary adjustment. On the other hand, we both know it could go the other way; for all I know, what’s happening here could be a stay of execution. Whatever the outcome, I can take care of myself. You need to think about you. You’ve wanted DI for some time. You’ve completed the first three steps in the promotion framework. Acting up in my place is a great way to achieve your work-based assessment.’
As he spoke, Bliss recalled a similar conversation he’d once had with Mia Short. Neither of them knew at the time how temporary her assignment would prove to be.
After a brief pause, Bishop said, ‘Of course it is. But you know I have my misgivings. I want the salary hike that goes with the job. Who wouldn’t? I want to lead my own team. Who doesn’t? But equally, I don’t want to be the kind of DI the job description currently says I should be. Nor do I particularly want to leave this team.’
Bliss empathised with his friend’s dilemma. The job had changed in so many ways over the years. If he had been coming up in the modern era, achieving the rank of Detective Inspector wasn’t a promotion he would be craving. Even so, he and Bishop had different demands upon them in terms of family and a structured future.
‘That’s understandable,’ he said. ‘But look at it this way, Bish: I’m as good as on probation for a further four months. At the end of that period, either I’ll be gone, my probationary period will be extended, my demotion will become permanent, or I’ll be back at DI. If it’s any of the first three options, you’ll have your own team right here waiting for you. If not, you’ll have a bigger choice to make.’
His colleague winced. ‘I don’t even want to think about some of those possibilities, Jimmy.’
‘I know. All I’m saying is, use these next few months wisely. You and I may not like it, but you are the boss at the moment. You’re a DI, and I’m a DS at your disposal. Nobody should still be referring to me as the boss. You’re too good a bloke to come down on the others for it, so I’m going to step up. I’m going to make it clear to all of them that you get tagged as the boss in future. I’m at the same level as you were and Penny continues to be. That’s it. That’s how I want it. And frankly, that should be how you want it, too.’
Bishop heaved a heavy sigh. He looked uncomfortable with the arrangement, and was probably disgruntled at his big opportunity having arisen for all the wrong reasons. Bliss recognised how unusual their position was, but the big man was due his time in the spotlight. And while everybody still thought of Bliss as the team’s leader, he would cast too large a shadow if he did not act to prevent it.
‘If you need anything, even if it’s just to talk or ask questions, I’m here for you, mate. Don’t worry about how I feel. I brought this on myself.’
‘Fair enough. I’ll accept all the help and advice I can get. How about I start with an easy one?’
‘Of course. Fire away.’
‘I’m deputy SIO on this case – albeit closely monitored by DCI Warburton. I know how the policy book works, but how significant are they in reality?’
Bliss smiled. ‘Ah. You may have heard them referred to as both CYA and FYA books. That’s because a senior investigating officer has to think about covering their arse when they complete the policy book. If they don’t, the powers that be might use it to fire their arse instead.’
Startled, Bishop said, ‘They’re that critical? I assumed they were another box-ticking exercise.’
‘Not at all. Look, make notes on any old pad as you go along. Even on Post-its. As many as it takes to jog your memory come the end of shift. That’s when you take your time piecing them together to include every decision you made. Only… couched in such a way as to make sure you emerge smelling of roses in the event that shit hits the fan afterwards. Remember, Bish, the details in that
