Soft Shell
Muses following on from 3.7 Out of Darkness
It is best if you watch Series 3 episode 7 first but if not:
Dempsey and Makepeace are after a psychopath who kills women, Makepeace finds herself as one of his targets and comes up against him twice, the later time he has her captured in a blue van in St James' Park with the treat to kill at 11.00pm. Dempsey has managed to track her down and as he runs to the van Big Ben strikes it's 11th chime and a gunshot is heard within the van. Dempsey shoots the lock not knowing what he will find.
Chapter 1
Dempsey held Makepeace tightly against his body, wrapping his arms closely around her and Harry found the security she was craving. He stroked her hair and his left hand held her head firmly against his chest until the distress of the wife cut across the reunion.
Dempsey released Makepeace and went back to the car to use the RT, Makepeace comforted the widow who was now hyperventilating and almost screeching with horror when the reality that her estranged husband was the thriller killer hit home.
"Charlie 5 to control, St James' Park – It's all over"
"Dempsey?" Spikings questioned urgently
There was no reply. "Dempsey do read me?" a cold shiver travelled the length of Spikings spine, he turned to Chas "keep trying to raise him and let me know"
Chas knew exactly what he wanted him to let him know "Dempsey!" he urged aware that there was sound in the background "Dempsey"
Spikings beckoned Dave and Graham to come with him, but took the untypical step of driving himself.
As Dempsey had said 'it's all over' he had relived hearing the gunshot within the van, he felt the scream rise from the pit of his stomach again and this time he was sick, he managed to turn to the side of the car tossing the RT handset onto the seat as he bent over retching, the barely digested contents of the canteens last remaining chips spilled onto the grass.
He spat to try and clean his mouth, then with his body still involuntarily trembling he returned to the RT "She's ok" he said softly. Chas barely had time to inform him that Spikings was on his way when the sirens of the first police cars could be heard approaching. It was only a matter of a few more minutes before Spikings was also on site.
Dempsey had returned to where the women were, Makepeace had guided Phyllis Swaybe away from her dead husband towards a park bench and sat there holding her hand. He walked over and looked at the van, taking in the picture put up on the inside of the van. He shivered, he'd put his jacket around Harry earlier, now he watched Spikings finish speak to Harry and walk towards the scene. Spikings took in the details of the van and dead body then leaving the boys to deal with the mess beckoned Dempsey back out of sight towards the parked cars.
Spikings took Dempsey aside "How is Makepeace bearing up."
"You know Makepeace - she's a tough cookie" he looked at Spikings and read his eyes "Oh no she ain't coming into the station"
"The death is suspicious, it was in a closed vehicle, the wife saw you open the door - we have to prove the suicide"
"Harry needs to go home"
"I don't doubt it, but we need her statement"
"She is a victim"
"And a witness" he paused dreading the next words "…and a suspect"
Dempsey was visibly shocked
"The wife implied she thinks he was shot" Spikings nodded towards where the two women were sitting
"Bullshit"
"I know but…"
"I'm taking her home" was Dempsey's dogged reply
Spikings was eternally grateful that Dempsey had taken that stance; the flagrant stubborn lone ranger had fulfilled his hopes. He had come to know some of Dempsey's motivation, and principles and whilst he had been obliged to make the formal correct stand he had trusted Dempsey to argue and ensure the best outcome for Harry. Thus he seemed to yield rapidly
"Well in that case Lieutenant I'm realising her into your protective custody"
"Just never let her know" Dempsey now suspected that Spikings had relied on his defiance, but he still fired his warning shot.
He walked over to the park bench "Sergeant we're outta here, cumon I'm taking you home - the boys can sort this." Harry looked at Phyllis Swaybe, Dempsey noticed her reticence "and her" he found it hard to sympathise with Phyllis; Harry had nearly died in her place and she deigned to suggest it wasn't suicide. He couldn't of cared if Harry had fired the shot – it would have been in self defence and the screwed up scum deserved more than one shot in the head..
"You'll be alright, someone will take you home" she reassured her but Mrs Swaybe wasn't listening, she just stared into space. Dempsey did remember to thank her for her help in finding the lock up as he led Harry away. Makepeace was grateful to feel Dempsey's hand on her shoulder; he guided her to the passenger side of his car, opened the door and watched her sit in before moving to the driver's side. Spikings watched them pull away; the off side rear light reflected on the damp ground and Spikings walked towards the cause and noted what he correctly assumed to be Dempsey's reaction to the proceedings - evidence of the soft underbelly he'd always suspected was there.