CHAPTER ONE

Sandra's POV

'Morning' She says as she walks in, and notices Jack sat the desk and Brian Lane

'Mornin' Jack replies,

'Morning Sandra' Brian replies, as he hangs his trust old scarf over the door and sits down,

'Gerry running late is he?'

'Well you know what he's like on a Monday morning' Jack replied, 'calls it his extended weekend'

'Oh yeah, what did he get up to?'

'Search me, I didn't speak to him this weekend' Jack said.

'What?' Sandra asked, looking over some files,

'I didn't catch him, tried him a few times'

'That's not like Gerry'

'Welll, it looks like were on his own until the man shows his face in.' She said putting the files down, 'anymore news on the Safhill investigation?'

'Nope, Millie Skelton still isn't keen on making a statement, - with that it means Longfield can't be caught'

'Jesus Christ, if Millie Skelton will testify what she told you off the record, then we can nail Eddie Longfield for Safhill's manslaughter, - wasting our bloody time is that woman, I'll tell her myse'

'Now lets not start frightening the witnesses, we're supposed to be trying to get her to help us after all.' She interrupts, knowing that it'll send 'Memory' into a huff for the rest of the morning.

Jack's POV

He checks his watch

'Quarter to bloody one, and still no sign of him, what's the matter with him' he shouts, loud enough for the other pair to hear,

'Probably still dozing' Brian exclaims,

'Not half way through a shift he doesn't.' He looks at Sandra's face. She's worried,

'You said you didn't get in touch with him all weekend?' she enquires,

'Nope, couldn't get in touch, tried him at least five times'

'That's not like Gerry'

'I know,'

'When you're sleeping, you don't normally hear the phone' Brian buts in,

'Brian,' Sandra clouts him, placing a virtual zip across his face.

'Anyone got Emily's Number' he asks,

Sandra shakes her head,

'Brian'

'Memory' shakes his head,

'BRIAN' Jack shouts,

'Not a clue'

'Thank you'

Half past two, and still no word, 'Stickland's going to be here in 15 minutes, what are we going to tell him, one of our officers off the job'

'Nothing new' Brian insists, 'he went off for a fortnight without telling anyone three years ago' He points the finger at Jack,

'Shut up' he replies, 'Esther would be thrilled to hear you talking like that wouldn't she.'

'Brian' Sandra shouts, 'that's enough,'

Just then, Sandra's mobile rings, she races to answer it, 'DS Sandra Pullman, oh Gerry Hi, what? What's happened? 'Gerry calm down, calm down, surely they'll be doing everything to help her. Listen, me and Jack are on our way over there now.'

She puts the phone in her pocket and goes to get her coat,

'Well?' she looks at Jack.

'Well what's happened?'

'Gerry's at St Thomas' Hospital, Emily's been attacked.'

'Oh God'

'So me and you are going to the hospital'

'What about me?' Brian asked,

'You can tell Strickland where we are, in the middle of getting on with the Safhill case,'

'Oh Charming'

'Call it punishment'

'I call it hard work madam' Brian shouts, but Sandra and Jack are already well outside the door.