Why Would I Charge Him?

WHY WOULD I CHARGE HIM?

It certainly would appear that it was a very quiet evening, with nothing happening at all worth mentioning, some people may even say that it`s quite a boring night, but not to Police Constable Anthony Graham, as this was the very first time he was on a night shift and there was nothing in the least that could be boring about that as he was finally doing the job that he`d always dreamed of doing. Even though his boyhood dream had now taken him a particular street where even his newfound colleagues would be wary about driving through, let alone walk. But this mattered not to him, as he continued on his merry way, keen to integrate with all the members of the local community.

Just like the woman standing across the street from him right now, who was deep in conversation on her mobile phone, a Lady-of-the-Night, who had certainly been around the block more than once and as her scowl now suggested, had no time or, the slightest inclination, for exchanging any sort of pleasantries with P.C. Graham which he quickly detected as he just smiled, about turned, and walked away back down his side of the street.

“What was what?” he says as he was convinced that something or, someone, flashed into front of his eyes and had now rocked two dustbins in the process. Whatever it was, appeared to have entered an alley which ran between two houses in which he wasted no time on running into.

It was only partially lit from a streetlight from the very far end, so out came his torch who`s beam went left, right, up, down, straight ahead, left, right, up, down, straight ahead

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again, which, was where it stayed for a moment as he surveyed the area meticulously. But no sign of anyone or anything, yet he was still convinced that he didn`t imagine anything, but with nothing to back up his intuition, the torch was switched off, and it was back onto the street.

He was soon to forget about what he may, or may not have seen, as his eyes lit up, when he saw not too far in front of him, a beautiful, shiny, red car and being somewhat of an enthusiast, he could tell that it was a Mercedes. But it wasn`t so much the car that had caught his attention, it was more the people stood nearby it. Especially the woman, who`s near perfect legs were stood in high heels and wrapped in sheer black stockings with a tight fitting black mini skirt around the top of them. Her jacket matched the car exactly and her shoulder length jet black hair positively shone under the moonlight.

She appeared not to have a care-in-the world as she then, slowly, and deliberately leans against the car smoking her cigarette in the exact same manner. Stood only a couple of feet away and facing her, there was gentleman, very smartly dressed, and most definitely looking suave, and it wouldn`t be no surprise at all if his grey suit turned out to be Armani.

Neither one had noticed P.C. Graham approaching as they just continued with their conversation, but he had certainly noticed them, especially as they looked totally out-of-place for the area which they were in, but didn`t matter at all to P.C. Graham, because for all his training through Police College, and all those hours binge watching Line of Duty brought him to the conclusion that this could potentially be the moment that he`s been waiting for.

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His first arrest. And soliciting, is not too bad of a crime for your first arrest as it was chest out, shoulders back, and began walking as tall as he possibly could, as he approaches them.

“Good evening, Sir, Madam, may I ask what you two are doing here?

Their conversation suddenly came to an abrupt halt, and as they both turned to look at him, they undoubtedly were thinking the same thing, `does your mother know you’re here? `P.C. Graham stood expecting an answer, but nothing was forthcoming for now, as the gentleman just turned his nose up at him as the woman took a long, hard, puff of her cigarette before blowing the smoke deliberately in the direction of P.C. Graham`s face. She hoped he would cough and maybe splutter, but he didn`t flinch, which impressed her. “How old are you?” she asks.

“I`m old enough to be wearing this uniform madam, I can assure you of that” he tells her confidentially. The woman just shrugged her shoulders and continued smoking before he asks again. “So, if you don`t mind me asking what you two are doing here?” His question was met with a stony silence. So, he tried another. “Okay, can I ask what your names are please?” Again, the gentleman had no intention of answering as he shakes his head gently.

“What would you like it to be?” the woman asks.

“What I would like, is for it to be your real name” says P.C. Graham.

“Why don`t you take a guess, go on, could be fun. Maybe it`s Donna, or Laura, or Chantelle,” she says with a mischievous grin.

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“Can I just have your name please madam?” P.C. Graham asks, just trying to do his job.

“I know, Melissa, let`s settle for that shall we” she says.

“Okay, okay, Melissa it is” says P.C. Graham, in the hope that he might now just get somewhere as he goes on to ask. “So, Melissa, what exactly are you doing here?”

“Free country isn`t it. Can be here if I want” Melissa says with a hint of attitude. as P.C. Graham just sighed.

“Yes, I am aware that it`s a free country Melissa but are you aware of exactly where you are right now?” he asks her.

“What do you mean, where I am?” asks Melissa.

“Ah, judging by the expression on your face, you don`t know that this street, and the two neighbouring ones, are often frequented by prostitutes to do their business, and from what I saw just a few moments ago, I suspect strongly that`s exactly what you two were up to. So, if you don`t move along, I`ll have no choice to call for a van and take you both down the station for questioning.” He tells them in all seriousness, which causes the eyebrows of both Melissa, and the gentleman, to be raised.

“What! Do you seriously think that`s what`s going on here? Melissa began. “And if I was, which I am not I hasten to add, a prostitute, there`d be no charge for my husband!” P.C. Graham was momentarily at a loss for words as he looks at Melissa, then looks at the gentleman, it took a minute, but finally the penny dropped as he realised that he was her husband as they both showed their wedding rings as he begun to feel somewhat stupid. “Oh, umm, I thought….” The husband, jumps in.

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“See, there`s your problem, thinking. By thinking you presumed and by presuming, you came to totally the wrong conclusion. We stopped here because I needed to make an urgent call, and nobody, not even my gorgeous wife, smokes in my car. Now, if that`s all clear, we`ll be on our way.” The husband puts his mobile in his pocket, as he and his wife climb into the car, as Melissa, couldn`t resist but wave and smile cheekily at P.C. Graham, whose complexion was now matching the same as the car as he now seriously contemplating reviewing Line of Duty.