Chapter 2.

The double doors leading into CID made a loud crash as DCI Hunt walked through them. Without laying his eyes upon anyone in the room he opened the door to his office, pulled the blind and sat down. He took a sip of his drink, laying the glass down heavily on his unused computer. His hands reached out to take the receiver off the phone, before changing his mind and placing it back down. He pulled out the note from his pocket. He just couldn't understand the young man's intentions. Why would someone kill him? Why would the put him in that position? Who's the next victim? The way in which the victim was found it is almost certain that it was not an isolated case. There will be more, Hunt was certain of it.

Gene stood, his long black coat falling clumsily to the floor. He removed the glass from the computer, downed the remaining contents and pulled open the door to reveal his trustworthy team. Shaz was sitting at her desk, typing with a fast, steady rhythm. Her desk untidy and withholding the contents of her lunch. The next desk was playing host to Skelton's bottom. Chris was sitting chatting to Ray at the next desk across, playing with his hair and glancing every so often at his girlfriend. Both Chris and Ray's desk were a mess, piles of work to be done and bins overflowing with all kinds of rubbish. Typical. The only other desk was Drake's. Hers was immaculate as always. Neat piles categorised according to when then needed to be done. A single rose lay on her desk. It was wilting, losing the rich red colour quickly. Gene walked over to it and held it between his fingers. Who had sent her this? Gene remembered back to the day after she had been shot. The detective superintendent had called Hunt to his office. They had discussed the events leading up to his DI ending up in Intensive Care. There was to be an on-going investigation but Hunt's superior officers had got Gene off lightly and no further action had been taken immediately, although an investigation will continue when Alex comes back. Gene sighed quietly, placing the rose roughly back on the desk and turned to his team.

'Right, as I'm sure you know this morning a junkie was found dead. Murdered. Looks like there will be more victims. We need to find the killer. We need to keep it squeaky clean considering the events involving DI Drake.'

Shaz stood up. In her was a piece of paper which she handed to her DCI.

' It's the address of Daniel Haynes Mother and Father, Dad's an ex-copper.'

'Right, Chris, Ray, get your coats. Let's pay a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Haynes.'

The home of the Haynes' was so nice it was unbelievable the body now lying on the mortuary slab had ever steeped foot in this home, let alone lived in it. Spread over three stories were 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and two game rooms all playing host to an elderly couple. The Quattro pulled up to the house alone. He had thought it best for him to leave Chris and Ray in CID, while he keeps himself as busy as he can. Time equates to overthinking and he needed to keep his mind as clear as possible for the time being. He pulled his coat together as he approached the over towering home, his snake skinned boots crunching on the gravel loudly. The door opened before his hand even reached the door. In the frame stood a young man, suited and booted, and a look of despair on his face. His mouth opened and out of it slithered a husky voice.

'Welcome to the Haynes'

Hunt pulled out his badge and a look of recognition passed upon the young man's face. It was clear he had relived this scene many times before.

'DCI Hunt, Fenchurch East. Here to talk to The Haynes'

Before any acknowledgement Gene entered the home, walked in and opened the door to the left leading to the living room. Inside it was decorated modestly although, very dated. The walls were lined with bookcases and the books inside them were in various languages, some without titles at all. There was a roaring fireplace and around it was two grand armchairs, both occupied by an aging Mr and Mrs Haynes. Hunt cleared his throat as the young man entered the room again and replaced some books which had been left open on a wooden table beside the fireplace. Mr Haynes turned and his face scrunched up in confusion as he posed the obvious question.

'And you are?'

'DCI Hunt, Fenchurch East, I'm here to talk to you about your son. There's no nice way to say this, I'm sorry. We found his body this morning and are currently investigating causes of death.'

Before he could finish Mrs Haynes burst into tears and left the room, followed by her husband. Hunt put his arm out and stopped Mr Haynes.

'We found cocaine on his body. Were you aware of Daniel's involvement in drugs?'

He turned towards Gene and his eyes began to water as his voice cracked.

'He was given a warning 2 years ago, but he told us he had finished with them. He wouldn't lie to us. It had to planted on him. Now if you don't mind my wife is in distress!'

Without as much as an acknowledgement he left Gene standing with the backdrop of the dying fire behind him.

***

The bright surgical lights surrounded the 4 surgeons, all in clinical blue robes and masks hanging around their necks. On the table before them was an elderly, grey haired, man. His condition was weak and without this operation his chances of survival would drop to less than 1 in 1000. His heart failure was severe and it was up to the surgeon to return him to health. As the first surgeon placed his mask upon his face and picked up the medical instrument, poised ready to make the first incision, the man on the table decided his time on this earth was well and truly over. As was his search for Alex Drake. He would leave the earth without passing on his knowledge to the only person in this world who would understand what it means.