As a couple investigate a criminal syndicate, they are drawn into a life lust and depravity that threatens to consume their relationship.
A story of exhibitionism, voyeurism and multiple partner wife-sharing .
Chapter 1 - The Assignment
"Briiiiing.... Briiiiing!"
The shrill jangle of the phone on his desk interrupted the investigation report Tom was working on. Rolling his eyes in frustration he glanced up at the clock on the far wall noting it was still only ten minutes to four o'clock before picking up the handset.
"Detective Sergeant Whitby."
Announcing himself he paused and listened while the disembodied voice of his boss asked if he was free to come and see him.
"On my way guv." He groaned inwardly closing the computer document he had been working on.
Getting up out of his chair Tom wondered what the governor, as they all called him, could possibly want with him this late in the afternoon.
Stopping in his doorway he quickly scanned his boss's office for any clue as to why he had been unexpectedly summoned. There was nothing unusual to be seen though. The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds across a desk that was strewn with its usual disorganised mess of empty coffee cups and scattered paperwork.
"Hi Tom, come on in and grab a seat." In his shirt sleeves DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) George Freeman glanced up and ushered his subordinate into his office.
"What's up guv?" Tom dropped into the visitor's chair, curious as to why he'd been pulled off of his current duty without any obvious reason.
He waited patiently while his boss rummaged around amongst a pile of folders balanced precariously on the edge of his desk. Selecting a large manila envelope from amongst them he opened it and pulled out a sheaf of papers, taking a few more seconds to read through whatever was on them before looking up and regarding his subordinate for a moment.
"I need to re-assign you to another investigation, Tom." He informed him somewhat bluntly, "There's something that's come up, that I think only you can look into."
"Me!"
He sounded somewhat incredulous, thirty-year-old detective sergeants are pretty run-of-the-mill and, in his experience, unlikely to be the only option for a special job.
DCI Freeman pushed the handful of papers back inside the envelope and shoved it towards him, leaning back in his chair as he waited for the junior officer to look at them.
"Read that."
More than a little curious Tom took it and scanned through the few pages it contained, flipping back and forth as he took his time to digest the information it provided. When he had finished, he put them on the desk and looked over at his superior.
"Pretty sketchy stuff guv." He shrugged noncommittally, "There's not really a lot to go on."
"Exactly my thoughts. But this gang have been operating under the radar for quite a while now and it's obvious someone somewhere is protecting them." He steepled his fingers, his elbows on the desk, "We need to try and get someone on the inside and find out who's really running the show."
"You want me to go undercover then?" Tom queried seeking confirmation of the role he had been selected for, "There's not a lot there to give us an in."
He'd known George Freeman for five years, he was a good copper and as a DCI he looked after his team, but he knew his boss was holding something back. His manner told him that he had something else to add but that he was reluctant to tell Tom what it was.
"What I'm going to say Tom is rather sensitive and unconventional and only you can deal with it. Of course, you are free to decline this job if you want to. I'll understand." George Freeman finally spoke again, "But yes, if you take this on it will be an undercover operation."
"Sounds like heavy stuff guv, what's the problem?" Now he really was intrigued.
"I have it on very good authority that someone else is investigating this gang and we need to get a look at what they've found out. I suspect that they are ahead of us on this one." His expression told Tom that there was more to it than his boss had just admitted to him.
"Come on, out with it governor, I'm a big boy now, I'm sure it can't be that bad." Tom grinned.
"Oh, it is. It's a journalist." The senior officer sighed, "They have been doing a lot of digging and I'm told they have come up with some information. But they aren't sharing."
"Well, I can ask my wife to see what she can find out for us I guess." Tom offered with more than a hint of reluctance.
His 27-year-old wife Jessica was a reporter with the regional paper and they often found themselves at odds over his work and her reporting, especially when they were investigating the same thing. He knew he would have to approach asking her carefully if he wanted to avoid another argument at home.
"That's the problem." DCI Freeman looked miserably at him, "Your wife is the one investigating the story."
"Oh shit!" His loud, succinct exclamation fully reflected his feelings.
"So, will you take the assignment?" His boss asked him hopefully after a lengthy pause.
"I don't really have a choice do I, not if we want to get the information off of Jessica." Tom's voice made it obvious that he wasn't ecstatic about the situation his superior had just put him in.
"Not really. I can't put another officer on this although I could try to get the paper to put pressure on her but you know as well as I do, they'll cry 'police interference' and make our lives hell."
He grinned back knowingly, "Just like she's going to do to me you mean."
"I'm sorry Tom but what else can I do?" DCI Freeman shrugged. "Our options are pretty limited on this one."
He grimaced, "It's ok I'll survive, I'm sure."
"Thanks Tom. I'll clear your schedule. You can hand your work over to Lisa." Freeman's expression was one of frustration as he handed him the assignment, "Report in directly to me, at least until we know who we're dealing with."
Leaving his boss' office, Tom Whitby headed back to his desk to tidy his current paperwork away.
"What's up sarge?" DC (Detective Constable) Lisa Williams asked as he dropped into his chair opposite her.
He glanced across at the slim, pretty brunette who worked with him. If he hadn't been so totally in love with his wife, he could have gone for her in a big way. Her large brown eyes, bobbed brown hair and cute upturned nose made her look innocent and always made him feel protective towards her. But sometimes, the way she looked at him or the sway of her slender hips, sent a wave of desire through him that he found hard to resist.
"The boss has re-assigned me. You'll be taking on my workload for a while." He informed her casually, shoving a pile of folders across onto her desk.
"Oh great. More to do." She rolled her eyes and gave him a smile, "Has he given you anything good?"
"Can't say. You know how it is." He told her with a conspiratorial wink.
"Yeah, I know." She laughed and batted her eyelashes at him.
"I'll catch up with you later Liss."
With that he collected his jacket off the back of his chair, said goodbye to the rest of the team, and headed out of the station.
