It was another cold winter's day and already Alex Drake is struggling to take in the events that happened during her time in the 80's. She entered The Met, wondering if she will ever see her daughter Molly again. Then she saw Sharon 'Shaz' Granger, going through police records of different suspects.
"Morning Shaz", she said.
Shaz looked at Alex and smiled.
"Morning ma'am", she replied.
Just as she was sitting down at her desk, three men entered the room, feeling a bit grim.
"Morning Guv." Gene didn't look too happy with what happened the other day. "DI Drake, in my office", he grunted. Alex looked at the gang, wondering why Gene would call her into his office. She entered his office and closed the door.
"You needed to see me, Guv?" she said. Gene looked at her and sighs. "It has come to my attention that there's going to be a new bird joining our nest. I'm not sure when she'll turn up, but we better make her feel welcome into the team."
Alex looked at him as if she's confused. "Wait a minute; you called me into your office to tell me about this new person that's joining us?" Gene looked at her. "As if I'm going to walk out there and tell the whole team...."
He didn't get to finish his prep talk when there was a knock on the door. "Come in", Gene ended up saying. The door opened and Viv James entered the office.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Guv, but the new person is waiting at the reception area", Viv said. Gene looked at Alex before making his mind up. "Bring her in", he said. Viv nodded and left his office.
"Right Bolly, looks like it's time to welcome our new tart to the team." He left the room without another word. All Alex could do is sigh as she left the office. She stood next to Gene and waited for the new member to arrive.
She then saw Viv walking towards the door with a stranger. She could tell by the person's expressions that she is too confused to meet them, let alone she hasn't prepared herself to see Gene face to face. Gene looked at the new person, strangely.
"You must be the lovely new tart we're expecting", he said in a 'not so kind' voice. That 'tart' just nodded. Gene looked around and got the whole CID Division to pay attention.
"Listen up team, this morning we've got confirmation from the main boss that we have a new member on our team." He looked at the person. "Welcome aboard WPC...." He didn't complete his sentence since he doesn't know her name. She gathered some courage and spoke out. "Melissa Simpson sir", she said – still confused.
Gene addresses to the team. "This little tart here will be with us helping Shaz around with the necessary documentation and paperwork."
He was about to continue when Alex stepped in. "I would advise you to make her feel welcome into the team and no putting her off. That includes you Ray." She looked at Ray, cautiously.
Gene looked at her as if she'd made a mistake. "Where are you from, love?" Gene asked Melissa. Melissa took one look at him while she tries to say it. "I'm from up north, sir. You know, a town called Manchester?!"
DS Ray Carling almost choked on his coffee while DC Chris Skelton almost fell off his chair. "My gosh", said Chris. Gene looked at her, surprised. "From Hyde you say?" he asked. All she did is nod and walked towards Shaz's desk.
Viv touched her shoulder and looked at her. "Give the Guv a yell if you need anything", he said. She smiled at him. "Thank you", said Melissa. As she was about to talk to Shaz, she starts to feel a bit light headed and needs to take every detail of her new workplace. So she headed to the staff room and tries to take it in.
She poured herself a cup of tea and stirs in a teaspoon of sugar. As she took a sip, Alex entered the staff room.
"You ok there?" she asked.
Melissa looked up and saw her pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Yeah, it's very different to the team back at Hyde, haven't met your boss when I joined the force." She looked down at her half emptied cup. "Only DS Tyler cares about me throughout my time over there. She knew that I've got a hidden talent and was sad to see me leave for this place."
There was silence in the room. Then Gene entered the room. "DI Drake, I need you to come with me now", he said as he left the room. Alex looked at Melissa, feeling a bit sorry for her. "Don't worry; you'll soon get use to it. Oh and you should start calling him 'Guv'. He doesn't like being called anything else."
Alex was about to say something else when Gene yelled her name. "Bolly", Melissa heard him say. "Just hang in there", she said as she left the room. Melissa sipped her cup of tea again and frowned.
"Hang in there?! I'm from the future for crying out loud", she said to herself.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the crime scene of a homicide. Gene looked at the victim which is lying in the ditch. "Bugger!! Another murder in my city."
Alex kneeled down and unzipped the top bit of the bag. "It's a male, in his mid 30's", she said. Gene looked at her in disgusted. "I can see that, Madam Fruitcake."
He turned to Ray and Chris. "Raymando, Chris just look around the scene. Maybe whoever killed him left something behind."
"On it Guv", said Ray as both he and Chris starts searching around.
He turns his attention to Alex. "Bowles, you're coming with me."
Alex looked at Gene. "What's the matter?" she said.
Gene looked at her and sighs. "We are going to break the news to this man's wife," he said.
"Wait a minute, we don't even know the victim's name yet", Alex protested. Gene turned around and stared at her.
"What?! I thought you actually checked that poor sod" he said angrily.
Alex waves her hands in the air and rolled her eyes. As she walked towards the car, she stood on something. She looks at it and picks it up. "Guv, I've found a wallet", she said. She found the victim's driver's license. Fred Wright, 35 years of age", she read.
Gene looked at her. "NOW we go and break the news to Mrs Wright. Jeez you're a hand full Bolly", he said as he made his way to the Quattro.
Back at the station, Shaz looked tired, typing documents all day. Melissa entered the room (wearing her new uniform) and looked at her.
"Looks like you needed some help", she said as she looked at the piles of paperwork stacked up neatly on one side.
"Tell me about it", Shaz replied.
She put her hand on her head, trying to stay focus. Melissa took half of the paperwork and carries it to her desk. Shaz was surprised at what Melissa has just done.
"Are you sure you can handle the paperwork?" she asked.
Melissa just smiled. "Of course I am. The more people that helps you, the less paperwork you have to worry about", she replied as she gets started on the paperwork. Ten minutes later, her phone started to ring and she answered the call.
"WPC Simpson.... Right, I'm on my way". She grabbed her bag and left CID without a word.
As she made her way to the front door of The Met, Melissa knew that she needs to prepare herself for when both Gene and Alex needs an explanation. She puts her hat on just as she walked past Viv. Viv looked at her as if she's about to make a big mistake.
"Melissa, you can't just walk out of here while you're still on duty; you have to tell the Guv!", he said. Melissa turned around. "Contact both DCI Hunt and DI Drake immediately. Someone found a body outside the city hall", she replied.
"I will and you cannot go to a scene because you're not authorised to do so", Viv protested. Melissa ignored him. "Look, I'm going to that scene and that's final." She left without another word, leaving a flabbergasted Viv to watch her leave
After informing the victim's wife, Gene and Alex left the house and was about to enter Gene's Quattro when Viv radioed in. "Viv, what is it?" Gene radioed back. "There's been another incident. This time, another body have been found outside the city hall." Viv replied. "Anyone at the scene?" Gene asked. "WPC Simpson is at the scene as we speak".
"Thanks Viv", Gene said as he opens the door to the Quattro. "What in the world is WPC Simpson doing at the scene?" Alex asked. "She's in trouble now, because she broke MY rules!", he replied as he drove off.
