Chapter One

"Why do you do it?"

"Release… it takes away my guilt and it reminds me to have some bottle,"

"What are you scared of?"

"It's a long story about an old job"

The cool night air struck Jack's face as he walked out of the take-out shop. Whilst the night should have been lit by the moon, the overcast weather had given even the inky darkness a gloomier feel than Jack had ever thought possible. Still, he was getting used to the Yorkshire weather; it wasn't too different to Ireland: there was lots of rain after all. By the greyness that seemed to swamp every pore of Yorkshire seemed a far cry from the emerald Isle that he called home.

He walked over to his battered old land rover, shifting the pizza box in his hand as he fumbled for his keys. Jack had just finished his first night shift as a newly qualified forensic scientist and was still feeling the effects of the rush of success. Instead of going straight home, he'd decided to celebrate with a pizza. At least that was what he was telling himself, in reality his decision was more based on his lack of culinary skills. He could hear his mam's voice in his head telling him off for eating junk food, rather than a decent healthy meal. Of course, that didn't deter him; it just made him want the pizza even more.

"Shit," he swore softly as his car key dropped out of his handle, making a soft clattering sound as they made contact with the tarmac

He crouched down and fumbled around in the gloom for his keys. He suddenly took a sharp intake of breath and pulled back slightly as he saw a figure pressed up to the side of his car. A nearby streetlight gave enough illumination for Jack to realise that he was now facing a young woman around about the same age as him. Damp dirty blonde hair hung about her shoulder, sticking in clump to her neck and face. Her face was streaked with dirt and blood and contorted in an expression of fear. She was shivering from the cold which was understandable given the threadbare dress that hung about her thin limbs.

Jack was about to speak again when a voice called out to him

"Oy mate!" Jack looked over the other side of his car to see a burly looking man standing there

"What?" Jack asked

"I was wondering if you'd seen a girl hanging around here. Skinny little lass, wearing a dress," he said "About this tall," the man gestured

From his periphery vision Jack could see the young woman shaking her head wildly, with her fingers pressed up to her lips. Her eyes wide with fear as she waited for Jack to respond,

"Sorry I haven't seen her," Jack lied, keeping his voice calm and casual

"Are you sure?" the man asked again walking over to Jack's car "Because I think she was headed in this direction,"

Jack nodded "I'm sure," he said "Look around you, there's no one else here. Maybe you should try the take out shop over there," he gestured "They might have seen her,"

The man stared hard at Jack who returned his steely gaze confidently "Sorry mate, I can't help you," he shrugged and turned his attention to unlocking his car

When he looked up again the man had vanished, presumably having taken Jack's advice. The young woman let out a sigh of relief and rested her head against his car

"Thank you," she said and Jack recognised the familiar Irish lilt in her voice

"No problem," he waved off her apologies "Anything for a fellow Belfastian," he grinned "I'm Jack by the way,"

She smiled weakly and got to her feet, rubbing her arms for warmth "I'll see you around Jack,"

"Don't I get a name?" he called after her

She paused slightly before calling over her shoulder "Sinead,"

"Well Sinead, I hate to break it to you but I think your friend might be coming back soon," Jack warned her "He seemed pretty persistent,"

"He's not my friend," she said angrily

"That I guessed," Jack said "A smart girl like you must keep far better company than a looser like him. And a smart girl like you must know that hanging around in a damp car park in a thin little dress is going to end pretty badly,"

"I can handle myself," she said curtly

"I'm sure you can," he shrugged "But you look hungry and I've got pizza," Jack gestured to the box

"How do I know you're not some kind of pervert?" she asked suspiciously

"Charming!" Jack grinned "Well firstly I can assure you that you're not my type. I prefer my girls a little less caked in dirt. Secondly, I don't know what's going on with you and that man but his intentions don't seem particularly chivalrous. I on the other hand am just offering you some pizza. Just pizza and somewhere warm to sit for a while," he told her "It's your choice,"

Jack unlocked his car door and slid into the driver's seat. He sat for a few moments in silence before the passenger front door clicked open and Sinead slid in beside him. Jack gave her a warm smile and turned the heater in his car up to maximum.

"I'm only here for the pizza," she told him bluntly "No one in their right mind would say no to pizza," Sinead said as she turned to him and he was sure he saw the faintest flicker of a smile cross her face.