Playing with trouble
A New Tricks fanfic about an old friend of Brian's who comes to the UCOS team for help in solving the 30 year murder of his brother's at Chelsea Football match. This fanfic will be much longer in length, for now its unbeta'd
Waiting in his local pub, Brian hadn't been prepared like this before to meet with his old friend from his school days, Thomas Baxter but at least it got him out of helping Esther with tomorrow night's big dinner, his old friends sounded rather quite upset over the phone and needed help with something that been troubling him for so long. The pub was packed full of punters, sitting around the widescreen television watching Chelsea v West Ham United, most were Chelsea fans or supporters dressed in their team's home shirt.
Brian loved rugby a lot better than football, he'd never been what you'd say, promising at playing England's most loved sport. After sitting for too long on his bum on the cold stool he was all but ready to leave when a voice called him from within the background. Thomas emerged, aged around 58 years old, thick dark beard and dressed in a grey matching jacket and trousers.
"Great to see you again Brian… what's it been 35 years… since I last saw you in school you were pushing past big Billy Armstrong in the school playground , he had you pinned to the wall didn't he a few times..still married are you to Esther" Throat full of dryness and coldness, coughing to clear it. He ordered a glass of Foster's from the barman. Sitting down facing Brian eager to catch with his old school friend, placing a pair of purple gloves upon the table. Showing signs of shivers and shakes within both his hands and shoulders.
"So Still married to Esther?" Thomas asked, looking intrigued and fascinated, losing contact with Brian and then wanting his help had shown that it always best to catch up, being filled in.
"..Been married for a lifetime.. we've got a son Mark, successful businessman nowadays comes to visit us now and then... so what was it you wanted to ask me about" speaking seriously presuming he'd had a wasted journey.
"Do you remember that murder around 30 years ago... outside Stamford Bridge.. a 26 year old fan got got stamped to death... well that was my brother Vinny... Police got involved but never found out who killed him... Its troubled me for too long and i need your help in finding the bastard who never came forward... please help me Brian... you work for the police don't you" He looked desperate, saddened even that all of his life he hadn't had a chance of living a normal peaceful life, not stopping until he found some justice for his brother who he missed.
"I dunno Sandra my boss she'll need some good proper evidence to nail the guy if we can find out where he lives and works... I'll see what i can do....I promise" Brian knew he meant every word, Thomas wished he should have gone with him that fateful day, but at the very last minute swapped his ticket with George Williams a colleague who he worked with. Suspicions clouded every possible thought, doubting George's story about being distracted by a young pretty woman, a minor fight ensued between George and Thomas resulting in a night behind bars for both men.
"Brian I won't rest until this person is in prison.. I promised mum before she died" wiping a tear from the corner of his eye with his sleeve. Hoping no one had seen him crying silly. Brian offered a helping hand, walking him to his car if he arrived in one.
"I'll ask Sandra.. I'll beg 'er' even.." handing a card with the UCOS phone number on "this is our office number if you decide to contact me.. I'll come and visit yer with one of my colleqgues tomorrow to let you know what she said" Sandra was always hard to convince about re-opening cases, she herself worried that Strickland wouldn't understand reasons for investigating these important cases.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Back in UCOS office Gerry seemed to be in a cheerful and singing mood, muttering a song to himself as he made coffee for himself and Jack, two teaspoons of coffee granuals placed in each mug, Jack was busy reading the Telegraph newspaper, eyes popping up from time to time to observe Gerry, swinging his hips dancing almost around the office. Luckily Sandra had not arrived for work just yet, traffic in London was at its busiest on a Monday morning.
"Blimey whats got you in this happiest of moods today...did you meet a young attractive woman when we left you on your own in the pub last night?"
"Yeah i did got talking.. discovered she liked a lot of things same as me... Taking her to an Italian Restaurant Wednesday night...she insisted" He grinned whistling with cup in hand sitting down at his desk, wondering what to suit to wear for Wednesday Night. Annoyed that Sandra had left three heavy folders on his desk that contained important evidence for other investigation cases, just how did manage to cope with work stress all these years, going through the mill, headaches, knee trouble from chasing after suspects in the early 1980's and worse of all marriage troubles to deal with. "Come on Brian where are yer haven't got all day to check through this file work need your help" Keeping a close eye on the door, for whoever would walk in next, Strickland entered which frustrated Gerry.
"Has Sandra arrived for work yet?" Looking through the glass window of her office, he got his answer, turning to tell both men "When she does could you tell to come to my office as I need to go over some last things with her"
Gerry and Jack just stared in surprise, well hardly they knew Sandra and Strickland sometimes kept some secrets between themselves, Gerry feared the worse that maybe he would find himself out of the job once again within 3-6 months at least.
"Stop worrying yourself i drink the rest of your coffee" Jack ordered, finishing reading his paper as he got up to walk over to Brian's desk.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sandra and Brian had both arrived together and stood arguing on the starcase leadign up to the UCOS office, Gerry couldn't resist having a listen rubbing both hands together with glee, pressing his ear to the glass.
"Yep Brian's gone and done it again... upset Sandra thank god its not me she's upset with" Breathign a sigh relief.
"Gerry what are you doing...listening whatever they are talking about I'm sure we'll be filled in later" Jack shook his head in disbelief, sipping his now cold cup of tea before placing back down on a coaster.
Their argument could be heard from every police department in the building, Sandra's was the loudest.
"Look Brian I'm sure he can go elsewhere and inform another police station about his brother's death"
"No Sandra... I'm not letting him down.. just allow me to do a search on my computer for newspaper headlines that day his brother was murdered.. Please" pleading with his hands in a kind gesture.
"Oh go on.. I'll ask Strickland once we have some possible names of suspects... you know what he's like.. he'll say no at first but with some persuasion he'll change his mind eventually" holding the door open for Brian as he carried his bike through to the office. Gerry stood in the way.
"Gerry haven't you got some work to be getting on with"
"Right.. yep i have actually" rushign back to his desk and beginning to write on some lined paper.
Brian got straight into doing some research on his computer, lights dimming reflecting against his glasses, tapping quickly on the keypads, a few shakes of his head, not having any luck so far.
"So Sandra did you get home safely last night through this cold weather... I talked to Mary in the garden.... mainly about the last few weeks we've encountered, expressing my feelings of joy after seeing Hanson being put behind bars finally" Jack had thought he'd celebrated too hard but it was worth it, Hanson received a 20 year prison sentence for all the crimes he'd committed, Ricky was upset with telling all, but had disappeared soon afterwards not being present for the reading of the verdict, it left Jack wondering what happened to the lad, had he fled the country.
"Car got stuck in traffic by that new Shopping Centre... some passers by pushed my car up to the traffic lights... very kind of them it was" Brushing off any last of snow that covered her coat.
" Anyway Brian wants me to help an old friend of his...Thomas Baxter... his brother was killed at a football match in January 1980 i don't remember it"
"Oh I know the case... The press had right go at the London Met for not being bothered.. they went on and on for weeks wouldn't leave the matter alone.. in the end they never discovered any possible suspects." They were disrupted by Brian yelling his sudden delight fromt the main office startling Gerry, jumping with joy from his seat.
"Come and have a look at this... The Sun newspaper January 21st 1980.. corner page..." Everyone looked closer at the screen scrunching their eyes tight, it read.
YOUNG FOOTBALL FAN MURDERED
Police are investigate today after the murder of a young Chelsea Football Fan Vinny Baxter 26 years old,found by the steps of the entrance to Stamford Bridge, Mistaken for a person sleeping rough as an on duty police officer checked on the man's condition's, he was shocked to find injuries visible across the young man's left wrist and both legs, Police believe it may have been a rival that attacked him but they have discovered just today that the man he attended the match with, is no where to be found.
"Thomas said that George...went on holiday to Spain after they brawled... didn't want to be questioned by the police.. Apparently he lives in Kensington.. So what do yer say Sandra?"
"Alright me and Gerry will go to his house ask a few questions about what happened on that day see if he's telling the truth... Brian and Jack you stay 'ere' look for any files on George Williams."
"Oh Sandra....." she'd left before Jack could tell her about Strickland wanting to see her in his office, once he found about this investigation he would surely not be pleased about not being informed.
Sandra and Gerry question George and listen to his version of events where he reveals some shocking truths about Vinny and the amount of trouble he was in with some local loan sharks.