Mickey's Rubbish Book

Mickey is working undercover. He has a high-vis yellow vest, a notebook and a pencil. He's hoping people will be fooled into thinking he is a Litter Inspector. If so, they won't be surprised if he pokes his nose in everywhere, asking questions, button-holing miscreants. In truth, he is looking for the kingpin criminals in the North of England who are responsible for the massive increase in illegal immigrants coming into Britain on inflatable boats from France. The action, of course, is down on the South Coast of England, but tip-offs have narrowed down the organisers to a small area around Salford and Manchester, Mickey's neck of the woods.

Unfortunately, the weather has been out of control, and Salford is sweltering under some of the hottest days of the year. Mickey, following the 'International  Piratz' and their Covered Wagon, is finding himself sweating and suffering, seeking respite under the trees in the local parks and the tents and gazebos set up for stalls and outlets for charities and local good causes. One of the most suspicious is the so-called '4C' church. It stands for 'Cherish Community Congregation Church', but everyone calls it '4C', and people seem to idolise the man in charge - Pastor Pol. Mickey, being an investigator, thinks the man is hiding things, such as the source of the church's rich funds. Where can they be getting so much money from? Donations?

Mickey, usually confident and well able to take care of himself, is disturbed  to find that the deeper he digs, the more local residents will do to defend the Pastor, even resorting to violence. Meanwhile, the majority of the inhabitants of the City are also not pleased to see their '100 year' party is being threatened by the revelations. For once, Mickey is not the most popular man in the room.

He is going to have to watch his back.