Nothing stays hidden forever.
Right, ever since watching The Bill, Grace's past has always been a bit of a mystery, so I thought I would explore that background a bit.
This story ignores that fact the Neil and Grace are together now and that Jake has ever gotten ill, it also ignores the fact the Max is/was a coke head.
It will be Neil and Grace…eventually perhaps, may have to shake things up with these other characters.
Disclaimer: Don't own much, only the OC' s in this, if I did own it all it would still be on the TV.
Just something a little different, hope you enjoy it all.
Looking around the office all four officers, were working hard, typing away on computers, and completing files everyday mundane stuff. Looking out of his window, he lets out a huff, looking back at the phone on his desk and recalling the conversation he has just had. Things are going to get interesting.
Walking out of his office he calls for attention from his team "listen up people, gets your things together we are heading to Sunhill, we are going to be in for a long one."
Maybe I should explain who were are and what we do- I am in charge of a team of four officers there is;
DS Kate HOWE- a 38yr old, single flirt. A massive flirt you may say- never in a steady relationship, always going from one guy to another, never committed to guys. Her work comes first, a bit like me, very fierce and protective of the team she calls hers. Always the first in work and the last to leave- if a job needs doing Kate is the one to do it, she doesn't mind getting down and dirty when needed, but will stick to the rules. Having been in SCD for 15yrs she is the next experienced one on the team. If its computer skills you're looking for than Kate is the one, having a knack for computers she is the computer whizz in the unit, better than I will ever be.
Then there is DC Ian EDWARDS- 35yrs old, happily married, been on the team for 7yrs now, a good listener and will always talk things through before doing it. An ex firearms officer Ian is the cautious on of us, knowing that things could always go drastically wrong in our line of work. Being in the job for 13yrs he knows what to do, but will take risks and rather do things himself than rely on someone else, a trait that I am determined to get out of him. Due to their role, he still carries a firearm covert, and is the protection for the officers undercover, wouldn't trust anyone else to watch their backs.
Next up is DC Peter KNIGHT- 27yr old, happily single, content to stay that way, new to the team, it's the only department I think he is happy in, after discovering uniform was not for him- he quickly applied to SCD. A quiet man, he would rather being going through the intelligence than having a laugh, but is a good listener, I find that the team go to him with their problems and always seems to have the solution. Recently being trained in surveillance he has just finished his first surveillance job with Sally which was a success; seemingly having a knack for it he is ready for the next job, working out quite nicely.
Last member of my team is DC Sally GIBSON- 29yr old, good looking girl, single, previously been an undercover officer, for 5yrs a good skill which serves her and us very well. She has just come off of an operation which lasted 8 months and resulted in a drug dealer being put away for 10yrs. Sally is determined to work her way up the ladder now, after being a constable for 10yrs, but she hates the paperwork which goes with it. Taking risks but getting the job done has earned the respect of her peers and she is being noticed in the higher ranks. Well after I have been praising her to them.
Then there is me DI Paul ANDERSON- a single 45yrs old, tall athletic, good looking, charmer- naw only kidding -my wife left me as I am apparently a work alcoholic, but I am enjoying the single life- down the pub, out with the lads; I always have a joke, helps deal with the stuff we do, I am however protective of my team- I will always back them up and never let them down. After 27years on the force, I consider myself a veteran of SCD, being on here for 20yrs now, there is nothing that I don't know, or can't do.
All of us are firearms trained, but only carry when needed unlike Ian, who always does. There is a time and a place for firearms and it looks like this is the time and place.
That's the team, being very select in the officers which I want on the team, we have had a gap in the team since Grace left 3 years ago, with Grace being on the team for 8yrs she was involved in a very hard case which had her undercover for about 18mths, which resulted in many key players being put away for smuggling firearm to drugs into the country- costing the main player millions of pounds. It was one of their most successful operations, which none of them would ever forget soon. Couldn't have asked for a better officer- she is going places that one.
What we do… well it's called theSpecialist Crime Directorate- Eastern European organized crime- based at New Scotland yard, we deal mainly with covert operations of crime lords over in the UK. It is an intense unit, with many different angles to it. From drug dealing to dealing in firearms, we can deal with it all. We can spend years on one suspect but always getting results we want in the end. Nothing has ever gone wrong… well until now.
"What's at Sunhill?" Kate asks, not liking the look on her boss's face, standing up she walks around her desk to stand by him.
"Grace is there" Paul tells her.
Eyes widening in shock Kate leans on the desk behind her "he knows" she states, bringing a hand up to rub her forehead she repeats what Paul said "yeah gonna be a long one"
Feeling like he is out of the loop as the others seem to know who Grace is, and what is going on. "Who is Grace, and who is he?" Peter asks the team. Looking around, he sees Kate, Ian and Sally look towards Paul. Looking at him as well as he waits for an explanation.
Perching on the edge of a desk Paul sighs "Grace… Dc Dasari was a member of our team; three years ago she left after being undercover for 18mths. She brought down a major crime lord called Thomas Denkins over here, got all of his key player put away, disrupted his business he lost millions as we shut him down, he was bringing in drugs and firearms. However we couldn't get him put away, nothing would stick." Pausing he looks to see if Peter is under-standing it all, seeing him nod he continues.
"He knew obviously someone had betrayed him and it took him a while to figure out is was a cop, but he didn't know it was Grace, as we had her arrested" using quotation marks in the air for affect " we gave her a fake trial everything, so we thought we had done enough, bu-ut I have just had a phone call saying he has found out Grace was the undercover officer, and he is set on getting to her and making her pay, as he believes it was her that brought him down." Looking at his watch, he pauses, "obviously we are not going to let this happen, Grace is- was a big part of the team then and I won't let anything happen to her.We are to go to Sunhill, I have a meeting with the Super there, and we are going to fill Grace in, on what is happening and protect her until we can stop him" Standing up he looks around his team, seeing Kate, and Ian nodding he smiles at them. They would never let anything happen to Grace.
"What is she doing at the moment?" Ian asks
"She is on C.I.D at the moment, much slower paced than we are used to, but it's what she wanted, her team don't know about her past and I am not sure if we are going to tell them" Paul frowns, that may be a problem actually.
"Close protection?" Ian queries, mentally going through his checklist and ticking of things he is going to need to protect Grace.
"Yes, it will be, you know what she is like I doubt she will be happy with that but she won't have a choice in the matter" Starting to walk back to his office, he turns at the last minute "I've got a bad feeling about this one guys" looking at the rest of his team, he sees that so have they.
Slamming his fists down on the table "I don't care how much it costs I want her gone, do you hear me! She cost me everything, everything I built gone!" Glaring at the man in front of him to get his message across,
"Fine, as long as we are understand each other. You never told me she was a cop, I just had a name, because of that my price has to rise- it's more difficult and more risky to me to put a hit on a cop. More chance of getting caught" Folding his arms across his chest, standing defiant.
"Like I said I don't care, as long as she is gone from here, she will not get away with this" Denkins snarls, she will regret the day she got involved with me. Bringing out an envelope from a draw within his desk, he throws it onto the desk. "£10,000, there you can have another £10,000 tomorrow and the rest when the job is done"
Nodding his head of acceptance of the money, he picks up the envelope and places it within in jacket, in turn bringing out another envelope. Placing it on the desk he turns to leave "it will be done by next week" with that he turns and leaves.
Watching him leave Denkins picks up the envelope which was left, shaking it the contents within falls out; photos. Picking them up he goes through them, they were all the same; it had her in them in. Leaving her house, in her car, at the local coffee shop, going into work, this guy is worth all the money he wants. Your days are numbered Grace, numbered. Placing the photos back into the envelope he slips them in the draw and locks it.
Odd, DI Anderson, never heard of the bloke let alone his team, and they are coming here? Reading the email Meadow sighs, better not be internal affairs or anything like that. Replying to the email, giving a time which he could come down he hits send. Well enough time for a cup of coffee and some breakfast before they get here.
Walking down to the canteen Meadows bumps in Neil "morning Neil" he greets his DI.
"Morning boss" Neil replies.
"I don't suppose you have heard of DI Anderson at all?" Meadow asks, pushing the doors open to the canteen.
"Anderson, Anderson" Neil murmurs rings a bell somewhere. "It rings a bell, but I can't quite place it, why? What's the interest?" Asking for a tea and toast he looks at Meadows
"Probably nothing, but him and his team are coming down her for a meeting in about 45minutes" looking at his watch. Placing his order as well they both pay.
"Team, as well eh? Admittedly that is a bit odd". Frowning at Meadows internal affairs he thinks opening his mouth, but being cut off by Meadows.
"I had the same thought, internal affairs right?" Meadow says, seeing Neil nod, nodding in agreement. Grabbing their trays they take a seat and start on their breakfast. "Whatever it is, it must be important if an entire team are coming down," thinking aloud.
"Yeah, I guess you will find out in a bit" Neil says.
"Yeah, got a feeling I am not going to like it though" Meadow frowns back, taking a sip of his coffee he has a feeling this will be the only chance he is going to get to have a break today.
Finishing off breakfast, they both head to their respective offices. Walking into C.I.D Neil sees that his team has still not arrived as of yet, looking at his watch seeing it is only 7am perks of not being the boss. Loosening his tie already slightly, Neil sits down and begins his paperwork of the day, with no major cases on the go; it is pretty slow in the office, going to be a long day I think.
Turning on his computer he waits for it to load, hmmm what was that name, DI…Anderson that was it, let's see who he is then. Tapping his name into the computer, it comes up with his contact details.
Surname: ANDERSON
First name: Paul
Alias: Q.O 14
Department: Specialist Crime Directorate- Eastern European organized crime
Contact no: ext. 387141
Eastern European organized crime that's the department Grace work with before us, huh wonder if she knows what is going on. After reading his details, we may have a job after all then. Not thinking any more of it, Neil checks the rest of his emails.
Nope nothing of interest there, well onto the paperwork then, pulling a file from his tray Neil opens it and immerses himself into it reading and signing when he needed too.
Seating himself in his office, Jack doesn't bother opening anymore emails, only get interrupted in a minute anyway. Standing up and looking out of his window, he watches two cars pull up outside and ejected five people, must be my visitors watching them.
Following them inside with his eyes, he waits the normal five minutes before there is the knocking on the door, turning around he calls for them to enter.
Watching the door open, he walks around his desk and offers his hand to the male that walks in "Hi there, I'm Superintendent Meadows" greeting him.
Shaking his hand back "Sir, thank you for seeing us I'm DI Anderson and this is my team" motioning to the four people piling in behind him.
Nodding his head in return his listens to the introductions "this is my DS, DS Howe, and these are my three DC's, DC Gibson, Knight and Edwards" pointing to each in turn.
"Pleasure" nodding his head again, "I would offer everyone a seat, but as you can see I only have two chairs" Walking back around his desk, he places himself in his chair. Watching DI Anderson and DS Howe take a seat, he waits until they are all settled. "So what can I do for you then?" asking the question that has been on his tongue since receiving the email this morning.
"Right, where to start, okay first of all do you know what we do?" Paul asks Jack. Getting a shake of the head as a response, "okay it will be easier if I explain that first. We work at the Specialist Crime Directorate- Eastern European organized crime unit, we deal with convert operations. Basically we put officers undercover to bring down major crime lords for drug and firearm smuggling" Explaining his job.
"Yep, yep I have knowledge of the unit, one of my officers came from there DC Dasari" Meadow says, "I take it you know her?" asking Paul. Getting a nod of positively Meadow asks the next question "I guess you want our help on something then?" most likely reason they are here.
Screwing his face up slightly Paul says "Yeah kinda of" that didn't sound quite right berating himself. "The reason we are here is because of an old case of ours which involved Grace" Paul tells him.
Holding out his hand a file gets placed into it, from Ian. Placing it on Meadows desk he waits until he opens it and begins talking. "The case goes back to 2005 involving a guy called Denkins…"
After sitting listening to Paul explain everything to Jack, he sits back and lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding "my god, I never knew what Grace was really involved in. I knew it was need to know stuff, but this…" trailing off and shaking his head slowly, letting it all sink in.
"Sir, this guy is dangerous, if our Intel is correct, Grace is in a lot of danger, Denkins won't stop until he has her dead, he will do what it takes" Trying to stress the importance of this man over to Meadows.
The realization dawning on him of how dangerous this was hit Meadows all of a sudden. "What do you need?" asking the only question he could fathom.
Smiling inside when he realizes that he won't get trouble with the super, he is honest with him "all we want to do it protect Grace, we are all trained in close protection and we just need your co-operation to help us find this guy and protect her at the same time."
Nodding his head "does Grace know?" Meadow asks.
Shaking his head Paul says "no not yet, when she gets in we will need to have a meet with her" taking back the file he hands it back to Ian.
"That's fine, you will be able to set up in the briefing room in C.I.D , in regards to the rest of the team, who do you want to know?" Meadow asks, now being able to slowly understand everything.
Wincing slightly "we would prefer it if it is only Grace that knew, it's not that I don't trust your officers, but I don't know them" Paul says unable to say any other reason.
Chewing his lip, "well that may be easier said than done, they are pretty close over there and they won't like being kept out of the loop" shaking his head.
Great, just what I was not hoping for "okay, if it comes to it then I will, but I will prefer to speak with Grace first, and make sure she is okay with it after all this is all to do with her."
"Alright then, shall I show you to the briefing room to set up and I will get Grace to you?" Meadows ask standing up.
"Would be great thank you" Paul tells him "and thank you in advance for your help, we only want Grace to be safe in the end" following him out of the office.
Walking into CID, Meadow pauses by Neil office, pointing into the empty briefing room at the end of the office Meadow says "you can use that room at the end" looking over at Anderson.
Smiling back at him, he replies "Thank you sir". Nodding at Neil when he spies him standing up in his office, they head towards the briefing room.
Hearing voices outside his office Neil looks up, and then stands up when he sees Meadows there, with another male. Seeing the male nod at him, Neil gives as slight nod back to him. "Sir…?" He leaves the question hanging when he sees the male and more people head to the briefing room at the end.
Walking into his office Meadow starts "Neil, that was DI ANDERSON and his team from-"
"Specialist Crime Directorate" cutting Meadows off. "I looked him up earlier" When he sees the questioning look on his bosses face. "What are they doing here?"
"That will all be explained later by them, but first they will need to speak with Grace when she gets in" he tells him.
"Grace, why? Why can't I be filled in now" god I sound like a whining child.
"Look Neil, it's complicated, but I promise that you and the rest of the team will be filled in once they have spoken to Grace" he says. Seeing him opening his mouth again, Meadow puts his hand up "that is Grace's old team in there, and something has happened, which involves an old case she was on, they just need to talk with her first. Okay?"
What the hell is going on! " well it doesn't look like I have much of a choice does it, really" Turning to look back at the people moving around in the end room- setting up laptops, and pulling files out.
"Trust me Neil" getting his attention again "this is not going to be smooth sailing and it's going to be a long day"
Sitting back down in his chair, he watches Meadow leave his office. Sighing he checks his watch nearly 8 guys will be here in a minute. No sooner had he said that the doors open to CID and Banksy and Terry walk in.
"Morning b-"Terry begins, but halts when he sees a room full of people he doesn't know "er boss?" turning to his office, along with Banksy
"I don't know a lot guys, Meadows wouldn't tell me. All I know at this time is that we will be filled in soon" Neil tells them.
"Filled in soon about what?" Stevie pipes up, catching the tail end of his sentence.
Turning around Terry sees Stevie and Mickey standing behind them, nodding his head in the direction of the briefing room "what they are doing here"
Looking in that direction, Stevie clamps eyes on the team of five mulling around the table, "Internal affairs?" asking everyone.
Shaking his head "no, they are from Specialist Crime Directorate… they are Grace's old team" dropping that bombshell on everyone draws silence.
With everyone knowing that Grace has been very quiet on her previous post, never talking about it, never giving up information even though she had been interrogated over it before, draws intrigue from everyone.
"Is Grace in yet?" Stevie asks looking around the office.
"No not yet" Neil tells her. "Alright guys stop cluttering my office and let's try and do some work until we find out what is going on"
Everyone recognizing the dismissal they trudge to their desk, and start getting step up for the day. With everyone sitting down at their desks, Neil notices that the DI keeps looking out of the office over the desks.
Checking his watch again 8.30 Grace is never late. Neil picks up his phone to call her, scrolling down to her name he is about to press the call button, when Grace bustles into his office.
"Sir, sorry I am late- I had car trouble this morning, I had to get a cab in here in the end" Grace informs him, whilst undoing her coat.
"No problem Grace, um have you noticed…" Neil asks her watching her shrug her coat off in his office if only she would do this at another place. Get your mind out of the gutter Neil!
"Uh, no sir, what's going on?" Grace asks.
Standing up Neil walks around his desk and stops in front of her. Grabbing hold of her upper arms gently he turns her around in his office. Why didn't you just tell her to turn around! Standing behind her he points over her shoulder, gently making contact with her again and out of his office towards the briefing room he says "them".
Does he need to stand so close, I can't concentrate properly Grace thinks whilst focusing on the people he is pointing too. With the word them echoing in her ear, Grace involuntary takes a small step back, bumping into Neil when she sees who they are.
Feeling a sharp intake of breath and her body push against him, Neil can't help but bring his hands up to cup her arms "Grace?" starting to worry "you okay".
Pulling herself back into the room, Grace realizes the position she is in with him, stepping away she turns to face him. He looks so worried bless him when she sees the concern all over his face. "Yeah I'm okay; it's just a blast from the past that's all. What are they doing here? We got a case?" asking him.
Not convinced by her words, but Neil lets it slide, shrugging his shoulders "I don't know, they had a meeting with the super earlier, and then they came in here to set up. All I know is that we will be filled in, once they had spoken to you first"
Eyes widening slightly at the last part all Grace manages to squeak out is "me sir?"
"Yeah, so I guess you better head in there, as it looks like they have seen you anyway" Neil motions to the room, when he sees the other officers stop working and look out towards his office.
Nodding her head at him, Grace turns and leaves the office, giving a slight smile at her team who looked on with intrigue and a slight bit of concern etched into their faces.
Walking into the briefing room, Grace closes the door behind her.
Well…. What did you all think?
It will be explained in the next chapter in more detail who Denkins is and the role Grace had within his 'circle'.
Let me know what you think R & R as usual guys.