Undercover 04


By Katzmarek



Part 4


Gray Treadwell and Jerry Hanlon sat in the office of Roger Swinbourne, Lawyer, campaigner against 
Police procedural abuse and champion of the little guy. He was explaining Police powers of search and 
seizure and electronic surveillance.


Ordinarily, the Police have to come up with a pretty good case to get the court to grant them an order to 
tap a private citizen. However, the Drugs Act gives them pretty wide powers of search without a court 
order, providing they can prove reasonable grounds afterwards. The public doesnt much care if a few 
liberties are taken providing drugs are kept out of the schoolyard. 


Now,


The young firebrand went on,


Guys like Ted Sperle take all that a step forward and claim they can do what they like and bug someone 
providing at the end of the day theyve got a bag of cocaine to prove they were right in the first place. The 
Courts have been rubber stamping him because he DOES get results. In your case, 


He turned to Gray, 


They dont really have anything at all just some gossip and the cops wouldnt have been granted a 
Court order to bug your place under ordinary legislation. You guys are innocent, right?


Absolutely! Gray said.


Then theyve got to justify their actions. Especially wiring your house, Gray, That sucks.


Both men nodded in agreement.


Then Ill send their legal section a solicitors letter telling them we are seeking our own court order 
requiring them to put up or shut up. Should be fun


Everyone was grinning, maliciously. Time for a little payback.


What about the newspapers? Jerry asked.


Too right wing at the moment. Theyll print the story on page nine below a piece about some kid caught 
smoking dope in the school toilets. 


Good, upright, solid citizens going about their lawful business, having their rights abused by corrupt police 
officialdom, theyd love that. But you guys are neither, thats why youre targets. 


Hanlon, known criminal with connections to the drug underworld, and Treadwell, man of mystery who 
wont get his hair cut and doesnt attend church. Gray?


He asked, looking into his eyes,


If only youd tell the world where your sudden wealth came from, this would blow over.


Then you wouldnt have a Cause, Roger.


Well as your lawyer and friend, I have to tell you, youre going to have to come clean about it, sometime.


Gray sighed and leaned back in his chair.


At noon, Jess made her way down to the Rainbow for her lunch with Gray. Ted Hastings had given her dire 
warnings about Treadwells possible state of mind.


Be careful, Jess, he told her,   he probably suspects his Dentist of putting microphones in his molars. He 
could get nasty, so tread carefully and dont push him. Just listen to what he has to say.


Gray looked haggard when Jess met him in the caf. He was sitting in his usual table but this time there 
was no crossword puzzle in front of him. Instead he was puffing on a cigarette.


I didnt think you smoked? Jess said.


I dont, or didnt not for a few years just started again.


Jess sat down and ordered a coffee. She was pleased to see the waitress recognised her, it made her more 
relaxed.


So how are you? Jess asked him.


Really angry, Diane. I dont know whether to move or stay and tough it out.


Jess was put off, at first, by his use of her cover name. Somehow she expected them to be on more 
familiar terms, illogically.


I saw my lawyer this morning. Im going to complain me and Jerry.


Thats the storygood on you Jess told him, breezily.


Dont patronise me! Gray bristled.


Sorry Im just trying to help  dont know what to say, Jess stumbled.


Nah, Im sorry I dont trust anyone at the momentI see cops everywhere bugs in my soup, 


Jess grinned at the pun.


I was talking to my dad yesterday, Gray said,  asked him about you


Jesss whole body went into panic. Her face froze, her stomach formed a knot.


 Didnt remember you. His memorys going I think. He should get out and raise his roses. Hes too old 
to be still working. Silly bugger!


Jess relaxed a little. She decided to say nothing, just listen.


Dad knows your boss, Veronica, really well. He told me he trained her when she got out of the police 
force. Did you know she used to be a cop?


Jess swallowed, her mouth went dry.


Dad said she was bloody brilliant lots of confidence one of those can do people. 


Shit I hate that term. So fucking eighties I hated the eighties. The country lost its soul and went on a 
Lolly scramble. No one gave a stuff about anyone, anymore. All they cared about was each others bank 
balance, and which BMW they could afford.


No, Jess nodded in agreement.


You liked the eighties, Diane?


Um I was born in 1981


Of course, youre just a puppy, Gray said, smiling.


The waitress brought Jess her coffee.


Are you a cop? Gray said.


Jess looked up, panicking, but Gray was looking at Lois, the waitress.


Sure vice squad, Lois said, chuckling.



When she left, Gray looked Jess in the face. He glanced down at the table and reached for another Lucky 
Strike.


Whats scaring you, Diane? You look like you want to run for your burrow.


Burrow? Oh, in scared rabbit, I get it. Um, dont know you seem so down I.


Hmm, do I make you nervous, why?


Jess shrugged.


I dont know what you expect of me I barely know you she said.


What do you want to know?


Well I Jess fished around searching for a question. What did you use to do before you retired?


A writer!


Really, what did you write? Jess relaxed at the new line of conversation.


Pornography.


Oh? 


Jess wondered if he was trying to shock her. The answer took the wind out of her sails.


And other stuff whatever. You understand why I dont tell everyone?


Yes, Jess was blushing.


People always want to know where I get my ideas.


Jess emitted a little half-laugh.


So! Did Conan Doyle fight for Napoleon then invent Etienne Gerard?


What?


Napoleonic Stories, I used to read them when I was at school.


Oh. So, is that where you made your money, writing porno?


You heard of Jordane Gray?


The romance novelist? 


Gray nodded.


No you cant be shes a woman her novels are everywhere No! Shes American, isnt she?  
Gray, are you lying to me?  I dont believe it.


And Betty Whitehouse, Davina Smith, Anna Grayson and I think theres Annette somebody I forget.


Annette Chatsworth?


Yeah, thats it they brought her out last year.


But Ive read her!  I mean, you, shit! Are you serious?


Gray shrugged.


You are all those people? Gray if youre lying my god! She was on the best seller list for ages.


Sunrise Surprise? I wrote in two weeks, flat out, day and night, 600 and 40 something pages, I think. Then 
I had a holiday in the islands for a month then I wrote Hong Kong Incident as Anna Grayson. That was 
a hell of a year. Three best sellers under three different noms.


Jess was shocked. She didnt know whether to believe Gray or not, it seemed such an incredible story.


So now its your turn, Diane, Gray said, fixing her with a stare. Whats your story? 


My dad never forgets a face, or a name, Miss Sawyer. Why did you name yourself after a famous American 
TV personality? That was your first big mistake.


Oh um.


Jess was struck dumb. Her mouth worked but nothing came out. Her face must be a bright shade of red by 
now, she thought.


The second was picking Real Estate as a profession. You should have researched your subject more 
carefully.


Yes, Jess said, miserably.


Your third was your cousin. You need to keep your minders under control. Tell me youre just going to 
have a word with him, when you go to give him his orders. That bathroom gag was just unnecessary.


You knew all the time?


Jerry did. Hes a very sharp guy. He notices things that I miss. I guess my ego wanted to believe you were 
chasing me for my wit and good looks. But, in hindsight, why would a beautiful, 22 year old, smart, sexy 
woman want with me? 


My money? You could have money AND youth and brains. Looking back, it was far too obvious. 


Tell me, Gray leaned closer,


Would you have slept with me, if Id asked?


Um no probably not, Jess told him.


Nah, you were far too wary I thought not. Ive sure blown my chances now, he said, ruefully.


I guess so, Jess said, blushing.


Pity. Are you going to make a report. Tell your boss everything I told you?


Have to, its my job, Jess said.


Yes, your job! Yknow, I guess thats what really hurts. You were just, doing your job. Snooping into 
other peoples lives and fucking them around. Gray screwed up his eyes and looked away.


For a while there I hoped Fuck it!  I really thought for a moment like a Prince whod met his 
Princess. 


Ive written too many books Im beginning to believe my own bullshit.


Im sorry Jess said, sadly. 


Tears were beginning to fill her eyes.


Youll meet someone youre a nice guy I didnt mean to do this to you.


Yes you did, Diane, thats the whole point. Get out of the habit of patronising people were all grown-
ups and can deal with our feelings. 


Youre suppose to say,  get out of your self-pity. Thats what my character in Hong Kong Incident 
would say. 


Im not a character in one of your novels, Gray, Jess said.


Gray bristled with anger.


No! Youre not, are you?


Is that how see life? As a cheap romance novel?


Youd better fuck off now, I think, Gray spat,  you disgust me. You all disgust me.


Jess got up to go. As she walked towards the door, she turned back and said,


Well things wouldnt have got to this stage if you werent such a prick.


Well, at least I dont fuck criminals for a living, bitch! Gray yelled after her.


Arsehole, Jess yelled back as she slammed the door.


You could have heard a pin drop in the Rainbow. Everyone was staring at Gray. Lois, the waitress, broke 
the silence,


Thats was deep!


Shut up, Lois.


Scotch?


Please!



Jess got into Warren Hastings car and slammed the door. She stared straight ahead as the detective pulled 
away from the kerb.


Everything go alright? Hastings asked.


Hes a fucking romance writer, Warren.


Eh? Are you sure?


Yes Im fucking sure, Jess replied angrily. He writes under all these aliass and, he didnt say, but hes 
written for Television because I used to watch, Jordane Gray presents when I was a teenager. Mum used 
to let me stay up on Friday nights when the school week was over and Id sit and watch the stupid shit.


I see, Warren said, helplessly.


There was this beautiful lady wearing the neatest clothes who used to front each episode and I always 
thought it was Jordane herself. She was just a stand in for that sorry, miserable loser of a guy who buries 
himself for weeks churning out that stuff and making millions of bucks. He cant even get himself a 
fucking girlfriend and he writes all this stuff about desire and  fucking passion. Hes nothing but a 
fucking fraud.


Hey, slow down! Start from the top.


Im sorry It got a bit rough.


So I gather just organise your thoughts and tell me when youre ready.


You should have been a psychologist, Warren, Jess told him.


A good cop has to be a bit of everything, Jess.


Back at the station, the presence of Ted Sperle renewed Jesss anger. Hes the guy who put me into all 
this, her little voice was telling her.


So he told you he was a novelist, right? Romance stuff, penny dreadfuls my dad used to call them, 
Sperle was saying. 


And porn, under different nom de plumes, Jess cut in.


We should have seized his computer, the dirty bastard!


He told her that Hanlon and he had busted her cover from the get go, Warren intervened.


They all say that, Warren, ego shit. Well I suppose we can check his story get on to the publisher. 
Sounds like a load of crap, though.


Creative crap, sir, Hastings said.


Very creative, Sperle agreed, I havent heard a story like that well, ever, actually. Dayshe, youll have 
to go back on general duties now. Theres nothing more for you here. Warren, sort out the paperwork will 
you?


Do you think Constable Dayshe should have some time off? To readjust?


What are we running around here, a holiday camp? I suppose we can give her a few days, get her shit in 
order. Um well done Constable Im sorry we didnt get a result, but thats the way it goes, sometimes. 
Hell screw up, they all do eventually Ill get you to read him his rights when the day comes They call 
that closure dont they Hastings?


Yes sir.


Good, you tidy up Warren. Ive got to explain all this to the Commissioner.


Yes sir.


After going over the paperwork with Jess, Hastings pulled her aside,


How are you coping? he asked her.


Pissed off.


Thats normal.


I dont know who to blame, Sperle for putting me on this job, Gray for giving everyone the run-around, or 
myself, for not doing things right and getting my cover blown, Jess told him, dejectedly.


Maybe all, or none just one of those things sometimes operations go bad.


Tell me? Do you think Gray Treadwell is a banker for a drug syndicate? And he made all that stuff up?


My instinct?


Jess nodded.


Sperle gets his information from the street. Hes been out there a long time and I trust him to know whats 
reliable and whats not. But lately I think hes burning out. I dont think hes being objective about 
this one Many things well, they dont add up.


A hotshot Lawyer called Swinbourne rang the commissioner, apparently, and is starting to rattle a few 
cages. Politically, the Drug Squad will have to change the way it does things. I tell you this, Jess, we have 
exploited a grey area in the law for a long time and its coming back to bite us. 


I think Treadwell will win this round, not because hes innocent, but because weve let ourselves become 
exposed, legally, and thats not a good situation. I think Gray is a shrewd customer and, if I was put on the 
spot, Id say hes guilty as sin.


Why?


Treadwell and Hanlon have being playing us like a fiddle, why? If theyve got nothing to hide why didnt 
they front up and tell their stories.


Perhaps they thought they wouldnt be believed? Gray didnt know wed bugged his house until Hanlon 
told him. Up till then he thought it was a funny game.


A game? Shit Jess Do you know why we talk to a suspects neighbours?


Jess shrugged.


Because we know it will get back to them. We then observe their behaviour.


Hastings leant against the wall. He continued,


Mr. Innocent pounds down to the station, first thing, with his lawyer. He wants to make a statement and 
clear his name. 


Your top-shelf criminal says to himself, yeah? Come and get me, Im too smart for you. He thinks he can 
stay ahead of the game.


The game, Jess, the adrenaline buzz, your Treadwell is a player. Thats how he incriminates himself, to my 
way of thinking.


Well hes got a lawyer now, Warren.


A ploy, Jess. Swinbournes not interested in clearing Treadwell. He wants to expose our dastardly 
behaviour for his own ends. 


I wouldnt be surprised if hes running for Parliament in a few years. Treadwell knows this, hes just trying 
to rub our noses in it. 


We really walked into that ourselves. Thats why Im pissed off with Sperle.


Hes not himself, Jess. He never did the proper groundwork and he left to many cracks for Treadwell to 
wriggle through.


Gray was drunk. Jerry Hanlon and him were stretched out on Grays big easy chairs in the lounge. Pink 
Floyds Ummagumma was playing softly in the background.


Havent heard this in fucking ages, man Jerry told him.


Takes ya back, eh? Gray replied.


Ya shoulda fucked her, Gray ffucked her and told her shit, man. I woulda.


Yeah but its not your face I have ta look at in th mirror.


See man youra fuckin genleman youre too fuckin decent shi man Thats why they hate ya, 
man ydidnt play their game, see?


Ynever know bout people on the surface really nice underneath issall shit, man, Gray slurred.


See they work their arse soff, true. Twelve bucks anhour thasshit, man.


Yeah, shshit.


An you come long with TALENT, man an makea million bucks an they fuckin HATE it.


Jerry tried to roll another joint on an album sleeve, but he couldnt co-ordinate his fingers anymore. After 
half an ounce fluttered to the carpet, he gave up.


Fuckit, Jerry spat, Im shit-faced.


I coulda loved herYknow Im sucha silly cunt  Gray told his friend.


Jerry, however, had passed out.



Across town, Jess was equally drunk. Not wanting to be alone, shed gone back to her old flat, where she 
shared a couple of bottles of wine with her friend, Chris.


I jus dont like beein hated, yknow? Never could deal with that, Jess told Chris.


Youre in th cops, Jess. Get used to it.


Yknow, Chris I keep dreamin about him, fuckin Gray.


I know, Chris replied, knowingly.


Whyzzat I don even like him.


Ysure?


Yes, Jess said, firmly,  hes a jerk.


Ok lets go clubbin and grab a coupla guys, Chris suggested.


Nah, I might meet, HIM.


Shit, Jess itsa big town


Think Ill go tbed.


Kay hon Night hey, don worry men are not worth th trouble


Part 5 follows.


Katzmarek  (Copyright)











 






