Constable Shaw slouched up to Watters’ desk, slumped onto a chair without being invited and grinned. “I thought I’d better keep you informed of my progress, Watters.”
Watters stared at him in disbelief. “Stand up until you’re invited to sit, you little vagabond! And you address me as Sergeant!”
The force of Watters’ words created a silence in the duty room. Shaw’s smile vanished as he shot to his feet.
“Stand at attention! Who the devil do you think you are?” Watters roared, watching Shaw’s face alter from lazy unconcern to shock.
“Sorry, Sergeant.”
“I heard you were lounging about in publics and playing football with children when you should have been working,” Watters was not prepared to allow Shaw off the hook yet.
“I was gathering information, Sergeant.” A bead of sweat appeared
