This is my second attempt at Strike Down the Fierce. About half way through the first, Diane and James were trying to tell me that I was getting their story wrong, and to start again.

I still think James is the most interesting character on Lewis, all that spirituality and angst, and all those walls to hide his emotions… Since both my husband, and son are named James, I guess I am somewhat biased LOL.

6:15 am. He was getting an early start. He lowered his car windows, and lit his first cigarette of the day. Two more blocks to the station house. A case was waiting for him; two university students were missing. Both were female. Fear was spreading through the colleges, and the pressure was huge on them to find the person responsible.

Suddenly he heard screaming, and then a woman ran out onto the road in front of him.

'Help me,' she was yelling, 'I need police.'

DI James Hathaway slammed on his brakes, and stopped behind her. Instinctively, he was already collecting information in his mind. She had an American accent. She was tall, with long red hair ponytailed neatly behind her head, although currently, her hair was matted with blood. More blood on her face, and spattered across her running top. She was cradling her right hand.

He had his badge and his phone in his hand as he was approaching her.

'I am a police officer. James Hathaway.'

Other cars were stopping behind him. He turned to one of the drivers, 'do you have a phone? Call 999 and ask for police and ambulance.'

He focused back on the woman.

'Help me. They tried to grab me and get me into a car,' she said and pointed, 'over there.'

James saw her legs start to buckle and caught her before she hit the asphalt.

She came to as the paramedics were lifting her onto the stretcher.

'Hullo, love, back with us?'

A woman's face swam into her view,

'Can you tell us your name?'

'Diane Chisholm,' she shut her eyes again, against the sunlight. Her head was pounding, and her hand felt like someone had driven a spike into it. Her eyelids flew open, 'is the cop still here?'

'Yes. Lots of coppers are here. Officer,' she called, waving at James, 'She wants to talk to you. Her name is Diane Chisholm.'

He kneeled down by her side, and took her hand. She was agitated, and clearly in pain, 'I punched one of them. Twice. I broke his nose. When he didn't answer immediately, she continued louder, 'you're looking for someone with a broken nose. It's his blood on the front of my shirt.'

A slight smile came across his face, was she trying to do his job for him?

'Can you tell me exactly where it happened?'

She gave him a street name across the park. 'There's a stand of beech trees there.'

'You said they, how many did you see?'

'A woman first. Then a guy hit me from behind. And another guy driving. Black van. She turned her head to the paramedic, 'any chance for something for pain?'

'Sorry, love, they'll give you something at A&E. Let's get you there, shall we?'