We Are Detectives
Chapter 1
Just had this as an idea for a short fanfic and had to do it immediately , Its a 5 chapter part NT fanfic What would happen when Sandra chooses to leave UCOS for a new police job elsewhere and the team's reaction to her news. Unbeta'd
UCOS Boys had just finished late than usual completing some last important written filework and evidence folders that needed to be tidied and sorted aplhabetically and left on Sandra's desk for one of the younger detectives to pick up early tomorrow morning and found themselves in the Lions Arms pub on Hardwick Avenue by 7pm way before Sandra was due to arrive, Gerry still acted remotely disinterested in why she'd summoned them in a pub of all places, when instead he could have been on the phone to Emily asking how her day went. He took three sips of his drink before placing his glass back down on a coaster.
Jack sat with his pint and could help but secretly suspected Sandra might have accepted Strickland's usual offer to work elsewhere in the London police department, having been watching her all day as she practically chewed her nails at every opportunity she had and looked as if she was feeling large amounts of pressure piling up heavlily it showed underneath her bag filled eyes, black mascara running down one cheek, after arriving back in the UCOS office.
She shyed away nervously from choosing not to tell them, constantly slipping into what would happen if she said yes, she didn't really know how would they all react, Brian was bound to be the most upset if she left them and she knew if he wouldn't be able to deal with her replacement, he'd probably not even turn up to work, knowing Brian Lane he'd make an excellent excuse up, saying "Oh I have got the flu epidemic or i have broken my leg" he was a crafty and intelligent devil.
After mid-day sitting in a smart white blouse and black lined trousers in his brightly lit up main office where he liked to take time to reflect and keep personal thoughts to himself she sat straight arms apart, like she was being interviewed, Strickland had been talking of bringing in another well experienced female Detective Superintendent, she sat listening to him speaking, her nails digging into the material chair, unable to hide her jealously at the fact that this woman Karen Butterworth was an ex girlfriend of Gerry's, she knew deep down should know better not to act jealous , they'd dated previously when he first joined the police as a cocky loud mouth young man.
"Excuse me Sandra have you actually been listening to everything I've been explaining to you because you don't appear to be remotely interested... I'm offering you a highly paid job working with some of London's most dedicated detectives in East London?" Strickland didn't look too pleased and looked quite angry, that she'd been giving him a cold hearted stare and then looked away from his eyes like someone who didn't dare give a toss.
"Yes I have...just thinking of all the memories i've had here... one of me joining in when the guys were having a laugh about how hilarious one case was that we'd been investigating, when they went to interview a friend of the deceased, the building they arrived had lifts, Gerry and Brian then got themselves stuck in a lift. Brian filled me i couldn't stop laughing afterwards...i laughed for hours but i can just ask you this...why now.. when i'm enjoying working in UCOS.. you can just expect me to say oh yes i'll take that job as soon as possible "
"I agree there with you Gerry can be quite a handful and a sulky moaner when placed in a difficult situation... anyway do you understand why i'm replacing you.. i do have so much respect for you Sandra..but times are changing we can't all work forever... younger detectives get promotions much early nowadays... I'll give you time to consider whether you will accept my offer or not... just take all the time you need" Strickland at least reasoned with, not wanting to rush Sandra into making a terrible decision that she would regret later on in life.
Gerry was still unhappy about hanging around in a pub, he had better things to be doing at home, like watching the football on television, Chelsea v Arsenal.
"Oh sit down Gerry and drink up.... I'm sure she won't be too long...Strickland knows she has home to get to" Jack squeezed on Gerry's arm, preventing him from leaving, his friend pouted his lips, like a troublesome teenager, arms folded, taking sips of his drink.
"Hang why Strickland called her into his office,do you mean you knew all along and never thought about telling me or Brian" Gerry didn't like to be kept in the dark.
Brian was in a world of his own, thinking of ideas on how to set up a Twitter or Facebook account, he'd taken an interest after coming across a suspect's account, maybe the UCOS team could solve crimes more easier than ever, sometimes he rubbished these ideas but this was a clever way. He still loved learning about all the different technology devices that hadd been invented, while no one was looking he bought an IPhone off the internet and couldn't wait to receive in a few days on his front door step, Esther would obviously express some serious glances, if he got himself carriied away with playing on it all the time.
The pub was brimmed with punters, singing on karoake and chatting loudly amongst themselves in four corners of the room.
"Oh I can't wait any longer... going the toilet won't be long"
"Make sure you don't escaoe out of the toilet window"
"Gerry don't be giving him ideas" As he sat opposite him, Jack nudged Gerry in the bicep, hard, as he rubbed the bruising that might have formed underneath.
"Christ I was only kidding didn't actually want to convince him to leap out through window and run across the bloody car park.. what do yer take me for... you didn't answer my question just before... do you know something about this.. about why Sandra and Strickland are acting all mysterious whenever they're around us"
"I don't know myself Gerry but from what i gather, when she came back in the office this afternoon... she clearly looked upset whether he'd upset her or he offered her another job elsewwhere"
"Sandra taking a job elsewhere... she can't because she's like the heart and soul of this team.. the center of UCOS if you could say... I don't wanna her to leave.. Brian's gonna be upset when he finds out"
That very moment Brian re-joined them with a glass of fruity orange juice, keeping to his promise of buying fizzy drinks non alcohol.
"What've you two just been arguing about.. I could hear from the men's loos" Brian had a ear for anything, normally his ears would roast and burn whenever he felt he was being talked about as part of a conversation.
"Oh Its Nothing"
"C'mon this has something to do with Sandra doesn't it... reason why she's late turning up here" He demanded to know, hating secrets being kept from him especially behind his back.
Gerry and Jack both answered with sadness loomed across their faces "We think Sandra maybe leaving soon...She's probalbly deciding right now at home"
She was sitting in her car outside the pub, rain sprinkling against the windscreen, she sighed sadly, she had to enter inside before they figuredit all out about what she was going to be telling them, she could feel her heart racing, thumping heavily, beats pounding one after the other, her legs felt numb and weak, she couldn't move like she'd ben glued to the seat. Heavy breathing escaping from her throat, nudging the car door open up as rain continued to drizzle throughout the darkened sky, climbing out and stepping on the pavemment curb she could see where they were sitting, backs turned to the window.
Her hands felt incredibly nervous, her throat tasted of dryness, holding on to her small shoulder bag as she walked further towards The Lions Den pub, briefly smiling as she passed two younger blokes, looking around it was packed more than usual, no spaces were left to sit at.
A whistle echoed throughout the packed noise filled large room as Gerry stood in sight calling her name out loud.
"Let the whole pub know my name why don't you Gerry you idiot" she followed over to where her team were currently sitting.
"Why everyone look so tense all of a sudden... I'm not dying I'm feeling better than ever just inform you three"
"Sandra we know... we figured it out" Jack answered, calmly, reaching his hand across the table to be nearer hers.
"If you go... I'm going with you Sandra...we look up to you for advice and if Strickland dares bringing in a replacement I'll quit on the spot" Brian always felt the urge to cry to stop himself and any tears filling up within his eyes , wiping a tissue under his framed glasses.
"That's very kind of you to say Brian... in matter of fact... I am gonna be leaving in by September... You're all like brothers to me looking out for my best interest and i've appreciated that many times" she reasoned in a proper understanding manner. "Plus i'm sure you'll put on an excellent leaving do party for me"
"Alright then... who's he said about bringing in as a replacement... not another woman is it... well i hope i dunno her" Gerry hoped this replacement wouldn't brassy, feisty, raging and moaning respected male or female individual.
"I think you will....Karen Butterworth... didn't you date her" she asked with a dark lingering look, eyes meeting and boring into his, the tension and chemistry between them began to boil.
"Oh Karen.. i remember s womanhe was less argumentative last time i seen her... about 32 years ago. we went to a Roxy Music concert at Wembley... she got herself blind stupidly drunk and we had to leave early... only threw up outside by their tour bus..can't wait to see her again.. find out if she's married and has children" Gerry reminsced on the good old days.
Although they hadn't met each other in person , Sandra still couldn't control her jealously under control . "Get a grip of yourself woman... he's your friend... colleague...stop thinking about what effects this Karen may have on Gerry and start bloody concentrating on your new job if you still want it"
End of chapter
I've just completed this chapter very late, All reviews are welcome.
I'm still going be continuing with my other New Tricks fanfic as well as this one.