Disclaimer not mine I do not own anything related to New Tricks. The BBC own it and no copyright infringement is intended or should be inferred.
Monday
"Well? Where the bleedin' ell is she?" Gerry barked as Jack shrugged his shoulders.
"All I know Gerry is that she isn't in her office. She isn't in Court today and she isn't answering her mobile" Jack watched as Gerry began pacing the office. Brian stared at both his friends.
"I dunno Jack. I don't like this" He unfastened his cycle helmet as Gerry nodded.
"If he is worried" Gerry pointed at Brian "Then we really do av problems. Look, you don't think something has 'sppened do you? To Sandra I mean?"
"No" Jack lied "If it had we would know by now"
Jack sighed as the office doors swung open. Strickland walked in and glared at the three men. Brian glared back as Gerry continued pacing the office. No one had heard from Sandra since she had left them in the pub Friday night. No one wanted to admit they were all desperately worried.
"Well as she got a boyfriend or summin?" Brian asked as Strickland raised an eyebrow.
"I assume you are talking about Superintendant Sandra Pullman" He watched as Gerry pulled a face.
"Course we are. Who the bleedin ell would we be talking about? Hold up, you know something dontcha?" Gerry walked towards his senior officer. Strickland sighed.
"You are right to be concerned. Look Sandra was supposed to be at a conference yesterday. Traditional Policing in the Modern Era. She didn't turn up. She didn't answer her mobile and her house phone is out of order"
"Did you go round to hers?" Gerry felt a familiar sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. Jack ran a hand over his face. He didn't like the sound of this at all. It wasn't like Strickland to go to them. All the really important things went through Sandra. But she isn't here. He reminded himself. Strickland leant against Brian's desk as he nodded.
"Not at first. I assumed something had come up with either her mother or one of the cases you are working on. But when I still couldn't get an answer this morning I went round to her house" Strickland explained.
"And?" Jack prompted.
"And Sandra wasn't there. I found signs of forced entry. Forensic officers are there as I speak. Sandra is missing"
"No" Brian shook his head. "She can't be"
"She is Brian. I found the front door had been forced. So I went in. There are signs of a skuffle. An altercation of some sort. I know she could handle herself but there was what appeared to be blood on the carpet and around the doorframe. Her glass coffee table has been smashed. I'm sorry" He folded his arms as all three men stared at him in silence.
"Can"
"Sorry Gerry" Strickland was at a loss for words.
"You said she could handle herself. Past tense. She ain't dead. She's missing. That blood might not be hers. Sandra can handle herself, she's got more balls than most men I know." Gerry almost shouted.
"There was a lot of blood" Strickland sounded lost. Jack closed his eyes. He refused to believe what he was hearing.
"Look, I've known Sandra Pullman since she was 14. She's tough. We'll find her" Jack watched as Brian seemed to calm a little. Gerry continued to glare at Strickland.
"Yeah" Gerry answered
"I am sorry but this is a new case. I can't let you get involved." Strickland pulled himself to his full height.
"Oh can't you?" Gerry countered "You just try and stop us! Sandra is our guv'ner and we are going to find her"
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Sandra felt sick. The waves of nausea had been washing over her since she had been hit over the head. Wincing slightly she tried to reach up to touch her hairline, where the congealed blood had matted her blonde hair. She swore under her breath as she realised her wrists were bound together with her own handcuffs. It was then she also realised someone else was in the room.
"Why have you done this? What do you want?" Sandra did her best to sound menacing. It was difficult when she looked and felt as bad as she did. The woman in the chair opposite smiled slightly before standing and walking out the room. Anger whelled up in the pit of her stomach as the woman left.
"Oi! Come back. I haven't finished with you yet!" She called but doubted if anyone had heard her. Instead she closed her eyes as a decidedly male voice whispered in her ear.
"Maybe not luv, but I aint finished with you either" Sandra bit her bottom lip as once again the world decended into darkness.
A/N Not written New Tricks for a while. Should I continue with this? Please review.
