Disclaimer as before

Sandra and Brian had already been in the office for a good half an hour before Gerry arrived.

"Nice of you to grace us with your presence Gerry" Sandra appeared from her office and glanced up and down at her colleague. "Christ, what happened to you?" Gerry was dressed in his usual attire but there was something about him, he looked exhausted and dishevelled.

"Ah nothing, just didn't sleep well that's all."

"Has this got something to do with why you didn't turn up at the pub last night?"

"Nah, I just didn't fancy it that's all." There was something about that last statement that really didn't add up; Gerry never didn't fancy a trip to the pub.

The three of them were at their desks trying to piece together some more evidence for their latest case. Every time Sandra glanced out of her office window she kept catching Gerry staring at his phone. Despite his often unenthusiastic approach to his work, he was never as unprofessional as this.

"Gerry, a word in my office please." Sandra called round into the main office. "

Yes Gov?" he stood in the door way to her office. "

Is something the matter Gerry, you don't seem right?"

"Nothing is the matter, I'm fine."

"Gerry" Sandra's voice became stronger and more forceful. Gerry shut the door behind him and stepped closer towards Sandra's desk. This was enough to tell her that whatever was wrong was something serious.

"Well there is something actually." Sandra stared at him intensely waiting for an answer, inside she was worried as to what had happened but she was excellent at not letting this show. "You see I had this call last night from Caitlin's mother saying Caitlin hadn't been home for a day and a half. At first she'd thought she'd been at a friends, but none of them have seen her, none of her stuffs gone and she'd have returned home by now. I've been out searching all night for her."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well I didn't want to worry you, with Jack gone it was the last thing you needed."

"You should have told me Gerry. Look, I'll tell you what, we'll keep this quiet from Brian, he's really not handling this whole Jack thing very well. But tonight, we'll leave early and go looking for her, ok?"

"You don't have to do that Sandra."

"I want to."

Despite the immediate dismissal of her idea she could see the gratitude in his eyes from her offer. "Thanks gov."

Hope you are enjoying this.

Team_NewTricks and BethyBoo97