Ruth Evershed was tailing an armed drug dealer, she needed his account of a high profile murder. He was the only eye-witness. He scooted across an orange light, Ruth cursed.
She was stuck, he turned off into a side road. Then the stream of traffic cut across her vision, when the light flicked to orange she accelerated fast. A small toddler tried to cross the road after it's elder brother, it ran straight under the wheels of her car. Ruth was so intent on catching the dealer that she didn't notice the slight bump as she knocked into the child.
Gina was watching the replay of the incident, a woman known as Ruth Evershed had run over a small child. She was driving a silver-blue Skoda, and her registration number was VU02 NJF.
"A sighting has been reported outside a warehouse. Smithy and Reg are dealing." said Gina watching the impact for the 3rd time.
Reg got out of the car and went over to the Skoda, he knocked on the window. "Excuse me, could I have a word please?" he asked politely.
Ruth wound down her window, "Yes?" she asked expectantly.
"Where were you at 11:25 today, and could I have your name?" asked Reg.
Ruth cast her mind back, she would have been chasing that dealer. "Ruth Evershed and I was sitting in traffic outside the Dyson shop."
Reg looked apologetic, "I'm sorry but I need to ask you to come to the police station with me, in connection with hit-and-run in that area at 11:25."
Ruth looked bewildered, "Why?" she asked, "What's it got to do with me?"
"A car matching your car was the vehicle involved, and you match the driver's description." said Reg.
Smithy got out of the car once it became clear that Ruth didn't intend to try and get away, he came round to the window, settling his hat on his head and tucking his hands into his pockets. He exchanged a look with Reg who nodded.
Ruth stepped out of her car, Smithy took her round to the patrol car. Ruth got into the back, her mind was racing. She needed to contact Harry, he needed to know that she could no longer tail the dealer.
Smithy started the engine, following Reg back to the station. Ruth cleared her throat, Smithy glanced at her in the mirror.
"Erm, excuse me? Could I just give my boss a quick ring so that he doesn't wonder where I am?" she asked.
Smithy thought for a moment, "Yeah, but make it quick." he said.
Ruth highlighted 'Harry' and pressed the call button. Harry picked up promptly.
"Harry Pearce," he said formally.
"Hello, it's Ruth. I'm on my way to the police station in connection with a hit-and-run. I'm sorry but I lost him." said Ruth.
"Thanks for informing me, I'll send someone down directly." said Harry, ringing off.
"Lost who?" said Smithy, raising an eyebrow at Ruth in the mirror.
Ruth decided not to give anything away at this point, she acted dumb.
"Sorry, What?" she said distractedly, having just wondered who might be sent to fetch her.
"Who did you lose?" Smithy asked her again, catching her gaze in the mirror.
"Um, no-one." said Ruth, hoping that he wouldn't press her for an answer before someone else arrived.
Smithy snorted but made no further comment.
They stopped outside the station, Smithy exited the car and opened Ruth's door for her. He escorted her up the ramp and into the reception area. "Hey Kerry, This is Ruth Evershed, in connection with that hit-and-run."
Kerry booked her in and said "Gina's waiting in Interview Room 1, you're to partner for the interview."
Smithy gestured to Interview Room 1, "Right this way," he said courteously to Ruth.
When Ruth was seated facing Smithy and Gina, Gina started the tape. "Interview commencing at 12:47, present are Sergeant Dale Smith and Inspector Gina Gold, interviewing Ruth Evershed in connection with a hit-and-run."
"Where were you at 11:25 this morning?" Smithy asked Ruth.
"I was sitting in traffic outside the Dyson shop." Ruth replied.
"I am now showing Evidence 12." said Gina, turning in her seat to flick on the projector. The CCTV of the incident played across the screen.
"Do you deny your involvement?" asked Gina.
"No," said Ruth, "But the lights were on green, I wasn't breaking the law. I know you must hear this all the time but I really didn't see the child. Is he alright?"
"The child suffered a broken arm but was otherwise relatively unharmed." said Smithy.
A knock on the door interrupted them. "Interview terminated by Inspector Gold at 12:53." said Gina flicking the tape off.
A blonde man entered the room, "Hi Ruth. Could I have a word?" he said to Gina who nodded.
"Could you put Ms Evershed in temporary custody?" said Gina as she left. Smithy put Ruth in a cell then went back to the reception desk, to ask Kerry if she'd seen Reg anywhere. "Smithy? Are you on duty tonight?" Kerry asked as he approached. Smithy nodded, "Yep, why?"
Kerry's face fell slightly, "Well, the relief had planned to have a 'quiet' night round at my place." Smithy shook his head, "Nah, sorry. I'm on duty with Reg, Callum's on duty as well with Gabriel."
"Well, unless you can get time off for whatever reason I might just have to amuse myself elsewhere.." said Kerry, trailing off suggestively. Smithy scowled, "You know that won't work, I'll see what I can do."
Smithy spotted Gina coming out of her office, closely followed by the blonde man. Gina was blushing and listening avidly to every word the man said.
"Hi, I'm Adam. Ruth's colleague." Adam introduced himself, offering Smithy his hand. Smithy shook it saying, "Sergeant Dale Smith, nice to meet you."
"Smithy? Can you get Ruth out of the cells, I'd like to have another chat with her." said Gina heading into the interview room.
Smithy fetched Ruth, Ruth saw Adam and smiled. Adam nodded to her. Smithy marched Ruth into the interview room, he looked over at Kerry as he shut the door, she was deep in conversation with Adam. She was pouting and laughing, leaning towards him over the custody desk.
Smithy sat down next to Gina and listened to Gina questioning Ruth, not paying any attention. He was thinking of ways to keep Kerry away from this Adam.
"Interview terminated at 13:07 by Inspector Gold." said Gina switching off the recorder. Ruth got up to leave, Smithy realized that he didn't know what they were doing.
Gina looked at him expectantly, "What're you waiting for? Take Ms Evershed back into temporary custody, she is to be placed under DC Price's care."
Smithy escorted Ruth back to her cell, watching jealously as Adam chatted Kerry up.
"DC Price?" Smithy snapped as he went into CID, "You're in charge of Ms Evershed, the driver involved in the hit-and-run."
DC Price looked up from her paperwork and smiled, "Okay, Thanks Sarge." she said.
Smithy nodded curtly and went to find Reg for the rest of his shift.
Reg was talking to Marilyn, Smithy heard a few words of their conversation, Marilyn was smiling "Oh Reg, you wouldn't."
Smithy didn't like to think of what Reg had just said judging by the look on the pair's faces.
"Oi, Reg when you're quite finished. We've got some streets to patrol." he said.
Reg tore himself away from Marilyn, with a wink and a "See you later."