Unofficially, every member of a team had a specific function. Luke was their usual team leader – for which both Jane and Matthew were grateful. Matthew handled the more technical side of the mission and Jane, following in North’s footsteps, had taken it upon herself to provide the background and historical details. For which, Luke had informed her, no one would thank her, but it had given her an identity – a place in the team. And, occasionally, it was useful – as in identifying the Apostle spoons Imogen had stolen.
Now, it seemed to Jane, the Time Police had demonstrated very definitely that historical background and scholarly details had no part in their assignments. That was not their function. If that was indeed the case, then what was Jane’s role here? What other aspect could she make her own? She wasn’t the muscle – the thought was laughable. She wasn’t a particularly good shot and she had no combat skills. She felt the familiar stir of anxiety. She had no discernible abilities bar one and that one did not appear to be valued in any way by her colleagues.
TPHQ, situated in the former Battersea Power Station, was a big building with a large footprint, containing many floors. It should be perfectly possible for someone to avoid someone else for a considerable period of time, should they choose to do so. Jane could only regard it as bad luck when, the very next day, Team 236 rounded a corner to find themselves face to face with Grint and his team. All of them. There was a moment’s silence as each team took stock of the other. Luke, Jane and Matthew were outnumbered and outgunned, but as Luke explained later to Major Ellis, they had right on their side.
To help fullfill the professional needs of the Time Police, there are any number of private rooms where disputes could be settled in a measured and constructive manner. It seems odd, therefore, that so many confrontations should take place in the corridors, but they do.
‘Well, this is new,’ said Luke chattily as the two teams glowered at each other. ‘Normally it’s us that gets set on. Makes a change for us to be doing the actual ambushing.’
‘How far we’ve come,’ said Matthew, his arm still in a sling but willing to work around that.
‘Yes,’ said Jane, nervous but resolute. ‘Our trainers will be so proud.’
The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder.
‘We’re not looking for trouble,’ said Grint.
‘Well, you’ve found it, nevertheless,’ said Luke. ‘You should set up a perimeter – you know, so we’re not disturbed. Oh, wait – you don’t know how, do you?’
Grint bristled. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Exactly what you think it does. Everyone knows to keep things simple for Grint and his team.’
‘That’s Lieutenant Grint to us,’ said Jane. ‘He’s an officer.’
‘Yeah?’ said Luke. ‘Well, other things float to the surface besides the cream.’
Grint’s face was suffused with colour. ‘Parrish, you’re on a charge.’
Luke shoved his hands in his pockets. The very picture of privileged insolence. ‘If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather be charged by a proper officer.’
Here we go, thought Jane, keeping her weight on the balls of her feet in the Time Police-approved manner and wishing very much that the next twenty minutes were over with.
Grint drew himself up, making an attempt at authority. Fixing Team 236 with a glare that significantly failed to intimidate them, he said, ‘I don’t know what’s going on here but I’m ordering you men to disperse immediately.’ His gaze fell on Jane. ‘And non-men too.’
No one took any notice. Both groups moved closer and Jane found herself face to face with Grint himself.
He loomed over her. ‘Push off, Lockland, before I make you cry.’
‘Really?’ said Jane, vibrating with equal terror and righteous belligerence, and as much in his face as she could manage, given that he was nearly twelve inches taller than her. ‘You really want word to get out that you’ve been flattened by a non-man?’
He smirked. ‘I don’t think so, Lockland. You can barely reach . . . oof.’
His knees sagged.
‘Oh, nice one, Jane,’ said Luke in admiration. ‘Good to see someone else on the receiving end of your signature knee.’
There was no time to say any more. Jane found herself dragged out of the fray by Rossi. ‘You’re going to get hurt. Stick with me. We’ll do a little light grappling and honour will be satisfied on both sides.’
‘I don’t think so,’ said Jane, thoroughly fired up by now and with that strange feeling of invincibility often experienced by those about to encounter a splashy and painful death.
‘Jane, I’m not going to hit a wo—’
‘Really? I have no problems hitting a man.’
‘Yes, and everyone starts calling me Wife-beater Rossi. I don’t think so.’
Grint straightened up and pushed Luke against a wall. ‘Right – that’s enough. Team Two-Three-Six is on a disciplinary charge. All of you.’
Luke pushed him back. ‘Great. Our chance to tell everyone officially what really happened at Versailles.’
Grint hesitated.
‘Yeah,’ said Luke. ‘Now what are you going to do?’
Grint stared for a moment and then turned on his heel and limped away. ‘That’s right,’ yelled Luke. ‘Walk away. Do a half-arsed job. Again.’
‘Parrish, what’s all this noise about?’ North appeared around the corner. ‘What’s going on here?’
‘Nothing,’ said six voices in unison.
‘Where’s Lt Grint?’
‘He had to leave,’ said Jane, hastily.
North eyed them all. Team 235 shuffled their feet. Team 236, bloody and pugnacious, stared back. One wrong word . . .
She looked around to make sure no one else was in earshot. ‘I understand this situation, but remember this – Lt Grint is a good officer and anyone can make a mistake.’ She looked at both teams. ‘One day it will be one of you. Treat him as you would expect to be treated yourselves and have some compassion. That’s all I’m going to say. I don’t want to see any of you still here by the time I’ve finished this senten—’
She was talking to herself.
That evening, North sat alone in her room, staring at a piece of paper with two columns – one neatly headed ‘Leave’ and the other, ‘Remain’. The rest of the sheet was blank.
Someone knocked at her door. She ignored it. They knocked again. More loudly this time.