Conspiracy to Silence

For a small town there seemed to be an impressive array of police officers that patrolled the smokey streets of Tarnmouth. At first I thought this was due to the rough aspects of the place, the worthies and roustabouts and the copious flow of alcohol. However, as the weeks and months wore on I realized that the Constabulary walked the streets unchallenged, the populace seemed afraid and apprehensive of their presence. I slowly saw that they exerted an inordinate level of control and compliance over the people, their charge was beyond question. I myself began to fear them and felt, watched.