Sergeant Merton's office. The phone is ringing as he walks through the door.

"Merton" he grunts.

As he hears what the person on the other end of the phone is saying he looks shocked and bewildered. He gradually sits in his chair as his face turns as white as ghost, as if he is about to faint.

"Urr, yes, thank you sir."

Having put the receiver down, he puts his head in his hands for a moment to collect his thoughts. Once calm, he stands, waits by the door, and finally takes the plunge to go out into the duty room. Bellamy and Alf are having a cup of tea, and Alf quickly hides the newspaper he'd been reading.

"Where's Walker?" Merton asks.

"He's not in yet sarge, he got called out late last night to a break in at the church, he should be here soon" Alf replied through a mouthful of digestive biscuit.

"Soon isn't quick enough Ventress. Ring him; tell him if he isn't here in 20 minutes, he won't have a job to come into!"

"Yes sarge."

He sat down opposite Phil, and stared into the wall above his head.

"Sarge, is something wrong, only you seem a bit preoccupied?" Phil chose his words carefully so as not to upset the already fiery Scotsman.

"Aye there is Bellamy, but I think its best I tell you when Walker arrives. I could murder a cup of tea though."

Phil nodded in acknowledgment and left Alf and Dennis alone in the duty room.

"Something's happened hasn't it? Is it about Dr Trent?" Alf enquired.

"No Alf, I'm afraid not, it's about Oscar. I've only just found out myself, but I think its best I tell all of you when Walker arrives."

Phil came back in with the tea, and at the same time, Rob rushed into the station.

"Look sarge, I'm really sorry, but I got called out at 3 about a break in at the church and it was nearly light when I got back, I must have just overslept" Rob said very apologetically.

"It's fine Walker, I understand, but I wanted you here because I found something out when I came in this morning that I think you should all know. I'm afraid it's bad news. DI Shiner rang to inform me that last night, Oscar Blaketon was arrested on suspicion of murder. He's being detained in Whitby and they're refusing to give bail. DI Shiner has asked for the cooperation of this station to help get to the bottom of what's happened, and I have agreed to help them."

For a few moments, the station was silent, while the three men tried to come to terms with what they'd just heard.