Detectives In The Dock: Rob Ashman's Detective Lucas

Rob Ashman is the creator of the fascinating, if very scary, serial killer Mechanic, about whom he has written three amazing books.  In the Mechanic trilogy, Ashman has also created an equally impressive detective in Lucas.  I'm sure you'll love having him grilled in The Crime Warp Dock.

Lucas is the wrong side of 50 and coasting to retirement. He is a lieutenant in FPD and is proud of his career progression even though deep down he knows it was based upon a lie. He considers himself calm and collected at all times or, at least, that’s what he tells himself. He is cool under fire or, at least, that’s what he tells his staff. And he is a great husband, though not even he had the gall to tell his wife that. He is married to Darleen and they have a happy if not confusing relationship. While both of them wanted children, kids never came along and following an ectopic pregnancy it is a topic they never discuss. Lucas is riddled with insecurities – whether it is his weight, his fractious relationship with authority or his confusing marriage. He wants a quiet life but his world is turned upside down when Mechanic lands on his patch.

Lucas' Fields of Wheat moment… 

Lucas pretended to enjoy whisky to annoy his wife.  It all came about following the infamous wok incident of 1978. He’d never been able to understand why the purchase of a perfectly good kitchen utensil could have triggered such an onslaught of abuse from his otherwise loving wife. He’d latterly had to concede that it probably had something to do with it being a Valentine’s gift. Women could be funny about that kind of thing.

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His birthday had been a week later. His wife had bought him a bottle of expensive whisky, knowing full well that he hated it. Not to be outdone, Lucas pretended to develop a taste for the liquor, sitting next to her on the sofa while watching TV in the evening with a generous glassful in his hand. But he was clearly bluffing, which made every sip he took another small victory for her.

Not hugely rebellious in the grand scheme of things, but it was for Lucas.

Which 3 items would Lucas bring to a desert island … and why?

This is a toughie. I think it would be …

An endless supply of his favourite food which are chili-dogs

The bottle of expensive whisky to remind him of his wife

His best suit because he always likes to look smart whatever the occasion

The Nitty Gritty: The Big Reveal

What secret does your character have?

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When Lucas was a patrol officer he pulled over a vehicle. During his questioning of the driver the car blew up. The driver turned out to be a religious maniac intent on bringing some unfortunate individuals closer to their maker. The explosion turned out to be a homemade bomb which went off prematurely due to the hot weather. Something to do with sugar, fertilizer and plastic bags sweating in the heat.

Lucas miraculously survived. The driver, however, was blown into bite-sized chunks.

Ironically, the two weeks spent in the hospital high dependency unit did more for his career in the police force

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than anything he’d done before. After six years of working as an unremarkable uniformed officer he became a local hero. Overnight he was transformed into the guy who tackled the terrorist single handed. The papers and news channels had a field day. The force milked it for all they could – it was good PR at a time when they badly needed it.

Regaining consciousness five days later, Lucas didn’t have the heart to tell them he’d had no idea that the man was a religious nutcase, even less that the mad bastard had a bomb in his car. All he knew was the guy had a brake light out.

To this day, Lucas has never revealed the truth.

Who does Lucas hate most?

That’s easy, the serial killer, Mechanic. Every waking moment is consumed with catching Mechanic, nothing else matters. He is willing to sacrifice everything to take Mechanic down – even his marriage.

Who does Lucas love most?

Lucas adores his wife. Despite this, his overwhelming need to catch Mechanic forces him lose his perspective on life with disastrous consequences.

In five words describe… 

What their enemies think of them

Worthy adversary, not good enough.

Their finest hour to date

Making Mechanic pay the price

Their physical appearance

Black, mature, shirt buttons straining

All of their favourite things …   

Hobby – TV

Food – chili-dogs                                                   

Drink/beverage - Beer

Type of clothes - suits

Sport  - baseball                                                      

Would Lucas rather… 

Eat a doughnut or a muffin – definitely both

Have a car chase or shoot out – car chase (he hates guns)

Visit a museum or a pub - pub

Well, Lieutenant Lucas, It's safe to say The Crime Warp finds you guilty of being a damn good character!