Sitting in front of the whiteboard, looking at all the written information and photographs, Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman wondered how she coud be so unlucky in love again. DCI James Larson; the 'babe magnet' as Gerry had described him. The first time she had fallen for him he was married and told her he was getting a divorce in order to be with her. Only, when the decree nisi didn't come through, she found out that he hadn't even put in for it. And just when Sandra had fallen for James all over again, she ended up being part of the team that arrested him for handling stolen goods.
Gerry was angry that Sandra hadn't been straight with him about what Larson was doing and left the office with the hump. Brian, still fretting about what Esther was doing, planned to home to resurrect some of his possessions that may be about to be sold online, after stopping off at the pub with Gerry. That just left Jack and Sandra in the office.
"Drink?" Jack asked.
"Only if it's something incredibly alcoholic!" she answered.
Jack headed to his desk and pulled out a large bottle of wine. Sandra nodded and half smiled, words failed her.
"I've been such an idiot Jack" Sandra began. "I fell for him twice...I thought...well I thought this time would be different". A single tear fell as she took a sip from the glass Jack handed her.
"Hey, you weren't to know, he was very convincing none of us would have suspected him" Jack told her. "Come here" he said with outstretched arms. He held her in a friendly, almost fatherly embrace. After a few moments he pulled back slightly to gain a full view of her face. His hands cupped her cheeks.
"Sandra" She made eye contact with him before quickly looking away again. "Get over it". She laughed through her tears, remembering the first time he said those words to her.
A ringing phone interrupted them. It took Sandra a while to realise that it was her phone that was ringing.
"Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman" she answered. "What...when...ok thank you...yeah...I'll...I'll be right there". She put down the phone and the blood drained from her face.
"My mum, she's had a stroke" Sandra told Jack, not knowing what else to say or do.
Come on, I'll drive you there" Jack said, picking up his coat. She nodded in appreciation.