Chapter 6: Thanks Sergeant Problem Solved

The whole team were back working at their home station now, as it was mainly paperwork to wind everything up. Reg as liaison with the wives was the only one having to keep returning to the Widnes area.

Soon Brian joined him. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘That was a surprise yesterday.’ ‘Me too,’ Reg grinned, ‘I had intended waiting a few months, but John pre-empted me a bit.’ ‘Well, everyone seemed very happy last night,’ Brian said, ‘So I wish you every happiness.’ ‘Thank you that means a lot to both of us.’ Reg said.

‘Now, back to work.’ Brian said, ‘How are you getting on.’ Reg gave him a copy of the list of what he had agreed. Brian read through it, ‘Looks good to me,’ he said. ‘Has anyone given you any problems.’ ‘No, they’re all cooperative,’ Reg reported. ‘A few of them asked me to pass on their thanks to you too.’ ‘That’s nice,’ Brian said, ‘It makes a change to be appreciated by the people we’re dealing with.’

‘Any delays likely in getting the assets sorted?’ Brian asked. ‘I don’t anticipate any,’ Reg told him, ‘I’m preparing applications to the court. That’s for instances where the dealer’s signature would normally be needed to release the bank accounts or property deeds.

Over the next few days, I’ll be visiting the wives again to check everything is moving along. Also, to find out what prices the agents have put on the properties. Then I thought I’d tell them to ask the agents to drop the price by ten percent, so as to speed up the sale.’

‘Excellent idea,’ Brian said. ‘What about the transport yard?’ ‘Everyone who worked there was involved,’ Reg said, ‘So there are no jobs to save. That will be sold, and the money shared twenty-five percent to Mrs Lewis, and seventy-five to the Proceeds of Crime Unit.’

Brian looked at his watch. ‘I want you to hang around a little longer,’ he said, ‘There’s someone calling in I want you to meet. When you do leave,’ he said, ‘I want you to concentrate totally on the wives. Unless you have anything that you feel you need to report, I don’t expect to see or hear from you for the next seven days.

‘Of course,’ he added, ‘That might leave you a bit of free time but I’m sure you have plenty of things to fill it with.’ ‘Yes Sir.’ Reg said with a grin as he left the office. Reg went onto the computer and loaded the list he had just given Brian off a memory stick.

Then an older man walked in, called out morning everyone, nodded to Aiden and went into Brian’s office. Peter who was sitting near him said, ‘That’s Detective Superintendent Sizeman, he’s the next rung up from Brian. He has a reputation for being tough but fair.’

Five minutes later Brian stuck his head out and called Reg in. ‘This is DS Sizeman,’ he said introducing Reg. ‘Well, young man,’ the Super said, ‘I have to commend you on your powers of deduction. I’ve read the report you gave DI Johnson here. It’s remarkable.’

‘Thank you, Sir.’ Reg said. ‘No one has ever joined our group unless I have known them personally for years,’ he said. ‘But I trust and agree with Brian’s assessment. At our next meeting you will be proposed as a full member.’

‘It has to be a unanimous vote, so I have no way of knowing if you will succeed the first time, but you don’t strike me as someone who will give up easily. Good luck.’ he said offering his hand. ‘Thank you, Sir.’ Reg said.

He looked at Brian, ‘Ok, carry on to Widnes.’ Brian told him. ‘Reg is dealing with the transfer of assets,’ Brian told the Super. The Super just nodded, so Reg left. As he was about to leave, Peter came over to him.

‘Not in any trouble, I hope.’ he said. ‘No, it’s fine,’ Reg told him, ‘He just wanted to ask about the asset transfers I’m looking after. Can you walk out to the car with me,’ he said. They walked down and out of the station.

Once outside, Reg stopped and turned to him. ‘I have some news I want to keep quiet for a short while,’ he said, ‘But I’d like you to hear it from me. I proposed to Natalie Clancy last night and we are now engaged.’

Peter looked gob smacked. ‘Wow,’ he said, ‘You sly old dog.’ He shook hands, ‘Congratulations,’ he said, ‘I’m very happy for both of you. How have the kids taken it?’ ‘Couldn’t have been better,’ Reg told him, ‘They both accepted me right away.’

‘I’m sure Jack would be happy for you all too,’ Peter said. ‘Gosh this is going to be hard to keep mum about.’ After Peter had gone back in, Reg went in and asked the desk sergeant if Celia was on duty. ‘She’s in the back office, filing.’ he said.

‘Can I have a quick word with her,’ he asked, ‘It’s a personal matter.’ ‘Go on then, be quick.’ the sergeant told him. Going through he found Celia wading through a big heap of papers. Seeing him she gave a big smile and got up.

‘I’m so glad to see you,’ she said, ‘I wanted you to be one of the first to know. Peter proposed to me last night.’ Reg stood there with his mouth open. After a few moments he burst out laughing. ‘What’s so funny?’ Celia asked looking puzzled.

‘I just came in to tell you that I got engaged last night.’ he said. Now it was Celia’s turn to laugh. ‘What are the odds on that?’ she said. ‘Who to?’ ‘Natalie Clancy,’ Reg told her, ‘The wife of the bobby who was killed by West and Tarrs.’

‘That’s lovely,’ she told him, ‘I hope you will be very happy.’ ‘The same to you and Peter,’ he told her. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. ‘We’ll have to catch up soon,’ he said as he left. Driving over to Widnes, he spent the morning visiting various banks and the commercial estate agents who would handle the sale of the transport firm.

Then the police solicitor who would make the applications to the court to release deeds and cash. He rang Natalie to tell her he would be home about three, so how about starting their tour of parents. When she asked him where he wanted to go first, he suggested they visited Jacks parents first.

Natalie thought that was a lovely idea so she said she would ring and tell them they would visit that afternoon. They were made very welcome at Jacks parents. Natalie had pre warned them why they were coming, so it wasn’t too much of a shock for them.

Whilst John and Angela were sitting on their grandparent’s knees, Reg told them, ‘Most children have four grandparents, but you will have six.’

When John queried it, Reg told him. ‘Well, you already have the grandparents who’s knees you are sitting on, they’re your dad’s mum and dad.

That’s two. Then you have your mums mum and dad, who are your other grandparents. That’s four. Plus, after your mum and I are married, you will have two new ones, my mum and dad who you haven’t met yet. That’s six in total.’

From there they went to visit Natalie’s mum and dad. They too made Reg very welcome and were clearly pleased to hear the news. They stayed there for an hour chatting, then finished off the evening by going to meet Reg’s mum and dad.

His mum and dad were flabbergasted to hear the news but made Natalie and the children very welcome. Soon they were all chatting away as if they had known each other for years. Reg’s mum and dad made a big fuss of the children, during which Reg said, ‘Have you realised you’ll now be grandparents.’

‘We’ve got six.’ Angela piped up with a big beam on her face. When his parents looked confused, Natalie explained about Jack. Reg’s mum gave the children another hug. ‘Well, I wasn’t expecting to be a grandmother quite so soon,’ she told them, ‘But with two such lovely children I’m delighted.’

Reg’s sister Jacky was at work. ‘Tell Jacky she’s now an aunt twice over,’ he said to his mum. When they got back home, the kids went up to get ready for bed. Natalie made a coffee and as they sat drinking it, she told Reg, ‘When I went in the kitchen, Jack’s mum said she thought you were lovely.’

‘She also said getting the point in that they would still be the children’s grandparents, was very considerate and greatly appreciated.’ ‘I told two people today,’ Reg told her, ‘Peter who you know, and Celia a WPC I did my basic training with and went out with a few times.’

‘Peter sends his congratulations and best wishes.’ He told her about Celia’s news which made her laugh. After the children were in bed, they started trying to decide on their guest list. Over the next seven days, Reg visited all the wives once more, meeting no problems.

His suggestion about reducing the prices was followed and dates had been set for court applications over signatures. He had also managed to have two more full days plus several half days out with Natalie and the children.