A Death In Didsbury

A Death In Didsbury – 18

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“Your boss seemed more…. amiable than I’d been led to expect.” Irwin commented from the back seat.

Kay and Leanne shared a quick look. “He wasn’t as angry about you being there as I expected.” Kay admitted.

“I think he shat himself when you pulled out your gun, though.” Leanne added, with a smirk.

“Yes, but that’s an appropriate reaction. I always shit myself when Irwin pulls out his gun. It’s meant he’s got me into a dangerous situation, all the other times.” Kay’s expression suggested that even she couldn’t believe she was joking about it.

“He has a reputation, and it’s deserved, but, when the case is big enough, he can be professional enough.” Leanne offered.

“I suppose so. I’ve never taken the time out to think about it. But it does become about using us all as efficiently as possible when there’s a big case on. The rest of the time, though…. I mean, he did almost blow this investigation apart right at the very start because of an old grudge.” Kay shook her head.

“What happened?” Irwin asked. They had a bit of a drive ahead of them, particularly with the heavy traffic they were stuck in, and he wanted some gossip to pass the time.

So Kay and Leanne told him about Campbell’s encounter with Joe and Rachel at the crime scene. Then Kay recounted Joe’s history with the Police. As it was the second time in as many days, she found herself warming to the subject, and adding joking asides.

“I think I’d like to meet these two.” Irwin concluded when the story was over.

“I’m sure you will, if you insist on hanging around with us until this is all over.” Kay conceded. “Joe Wilkinson is almost as much of a trouble magnet as you are. I think you’ll get along wonderfully.”

Greater Manchester Police Headquarters

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There’s a Police station not far from Burton Road, but I decided that the Serious Crimes squad would be based in the GMP headquarters. So I took a bike ride out there, to get a picture.

The North Manchester Police headquarters is just across the road- to the right of this photo, in a smaller, but similar looking, building. I wonder if there’s any rivalry between the two blocks?

I only took this photo, and didn’t have a wander around to get a closer look at the layout of the site, because I was nervous about explaining what I’m writing. If enough of you buy the book, I can use its best seller status as a way to talk them into giving me a tour.

Burton Road

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The death in A Death In Didsbury happens on Burton Road. Maybe this part, maybe further up, I’m deliberately vague about the precise location of On The Wall.

Burton Road has changed a fair bit since I first lived in the area, undergoing a sort of hipster gentrification. I miss the family butchers and the lovely deli that used to be there. The Canadian Charcoal Pit is a bit of a throwback, and looks out of place in the road’s new style.

Mild Spoilers

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The news that a Russian journalist wasn’t actually shot dead in the Ukraine, but was actually in on a sting against his would be assassins, is one of those cases of real life reading like spy fiction.

It’s also yet another example of how I’ve managed to put particularly relevant plot points into A Death In Didsbury. Without giving too much away, there may be some parallels between the story of Arkady Babchenko, and the truth behind the death in my work in progress.

Every few days, there seems to be a news item that suggests my current project isn’t so much ‘plucked from the headlines’ as predicting them.