Disclaimer; Really, they're not mine, but I promise to wash them before I give them back. ;-D
Author's note; Thankyou for the reviews, I'm so happy people are taking the time to read this. I promise to update as quickly as I can. Blakes8th.
Twelve days of Christmas
Day six; Sunday, Seven swans a swimming
Gerry sat at his kitchen table, eating his breakfast and trying to read the his Sunday newspaper, but after reading the same line three times and still having no idea what it was about he gave up, he just couldn't focus. His mind kept on wandering back to the events of the previous day, he had been gobsmacked when Strickers of all people had turned up, and a little un-nerved that everybody else seemed to know about it, he knew the others wouldn't intentionally keep something like that from him, but the fact that they seemed to have seen something he hadn't bothered him.
Brian was sure it was all innocent, just skating lessons but Jack didn't seem so sure. He had known them for seven years now, and they had all come to know each other pretty well, they had all been there for each other through some dark situations, but the conversation he had had with Paula last night had made him think.
He and Little Gerry had got home at about three o/clock, the lad had talked non-stop in the car, and as soon as he had got back to his Mum he had regaled her with tales of his skating, eating hot dogs and drinking hot chocolate and he chattered endlessly about 'Sandra and her boyfriend Rob', eventually he had given in to his exhaustion and nodded off in front of a Shaun the sheep dvd. Paula covered him with his fleecy blanket and brushed his hair out of his eyes affectionately.
"I'll give him an hour or he'll just go overtired and be grumpy later on." She smiled, "Thanks for taking him today, I got so much done."
"I can see that." Gerry laughed, pointing at the enormous Christmas tree in the corner.
"You know I love the tree," she laughed, "I thought me and Gerry could decorate it after tea, with your help of course."
"That'll be great, just like old times." As a little girl, Paula had been fanatical about the Christmas tree, dressing the tree had been a Standing family tradition which had continued through all of his marriages. He used to take his daughters around each others houses so they could all decorate the trees together. It was the part of Christmas he loved the most.
"So who is Rob, Sandra's boyfriend, according to Little Gerry. Its nice she's finally found someone." Paula smiled.
"He's not her boyfriend!" Gerry insisted, he slumped down on the kitchen chair and took a drink of his coffee.
"Why, what's up? Who is he."
"He's the boss, and a right pillock."
"I thought Sandra was your boss."
"He's her boss, DAC Robert Strickland. He's one of these modern coppers, all about budgets, and targets, new working innitiatives, nothing to do with actually catching crooks, but he's happy enough to bathe in the glory when we do, even though he spends most of his time sat in meetings with the top brass, or having lunches with a bunch of toffee nosed knobs getting pissed on good wine at our expense."
"He's a copper though, Just like you."
"Not like me!"
"Oh come on Dad, he must have caught his fair share of bad guys."
"Nah, he was probably fast tracked through the ranks, more politics than police work, we know he was sponsored through college by the army but they chucked him out."
"Which college?" She asked.
"No idea. Why?"
"When's his birthday?"
"Buggered if I know."
"How long have you worked with him?"
"Seven years, what's that got to with anything? Why the interrogation all of a sudden."
"Seven years, yet you don't know when his birthday is. What do you know about him?"
"What's this all about? Why the sudden interest in my boss?"
"Just humour me Dad. Tell me everything you know about him." Paula smiled.
"Ok. His name is Robert Strickland.."
"Middle name?"
"I don't even know if he has one."
"Carry on. Has he got family?"
"Ah Ha! He's divorced, two kids.."
"Boys or Girls? How old?"
"I have no idea! Are you going to let me finish? Or keep interupting." He insisted. Paula held up her hands.
"Carry on."
"I will if you'd bloody let me. As I was saying, two kids. Tried to get into the army. Went to Hendon instead, mmm, lets see, he's got a nephew called James, also a tosser, so he must have a brother. Owns a boat. Thats it really."
"Not much is it, seven years and you don't know how old his kids are, or his birthday. Gerry told me more about him after only meeting him this afternoon, he also said that this Rob had been giving Sandra skating lessons all week, and then he turns up today and helps, then buys everyone lunch, yet all he is to you is a pillock, tosser, whatever." Paula was sounding a bit annoyed now. Gerry was feeling a bit like a kid who was being told off.
"Look love, you know how it is, some people just wind you up, he's one of them."
"Dad, I'm not getting at you, but maybe you should try finding out a bit more about him before writing him off. Gerry really enjoyed himself today."
"I know, but I'm worried. A week ago all the others including Sandra felt pretty much the same way, now she's his best mate, Jack thinks there's something going on."
"And what if there is? Sandra deserves someone, I know you've always fancied her but.."
"I have not!" He protested.
"C'mon Dad, she's fit, blonde, beautiful, and gutsy. If you hadn't been interested, I'd have been worried about you. I often wondered why you didn't ask her out."
"The truth?"
"Might as well."
"Ok. At first I was tempted, but as you know back then I thought she was one of those driven, career obsessed women, cold, ruthless. Scary." He made a face and Paula laughed.
"You mean you thought the same things about her as you do about Rob Strickland."
"Yeah, I suppose. Then we got to know a bit about each other, became friends. She got my back a few times when I was in a fix, even took a bollocking from Bevan for me once. I realised it was no good trying to ask her out, I would be no good for her, she needs someone she can depend on, trust one hundred percent. We both know my track record is dodgy."
"Understatement!" Paula laughed.
"Alright! No need to rub it in. Anyway that's why I never tried anything with her, she's a friend, family even. And I know I'm not the best husband out there, It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure that one out, but I'd like to think as a Dad I've not done too bad, sort of made up for it."
She smiled a warm smile.
"That is so true, you never let us down. I think that's why Mum and the others always forgave you and stayed friends. But back to the matter in hand." Gerry rolled his eyes.
"I thought you'd let that go."
"Nope. Apart from being a great father, you are also a brilliant copper, so use that ability to find out about him, put your talents to the test and research this bloke then if he truly is a prat then you are forearmed and can be Sandra's minder, but you may be surprised and change your mind about him." She saw him shake his head. She went over to him and sat down next to him, draping her arm around his shoulders. "Dad, don't let this ruin your friendship with Sandra. If you make her choose you may lose her. You said Jack has suspicions. What about Brian? You lot have solved mysteries that have stumped the force's best for years, surely you can find out a few things about your guv that would reveal more about him."
"When did you get so clever?" He asked her fondly.
"Well I got my brains from one parent, my looks from the other." She grinned and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I don't know if I've just been insulted or complimented." He smiled back.
"C'mon, you can help me get the decs from the loft ready to do the tree when Gerry wakes."
He shook his head and put the paper away, he was so lucky , he had three fantastic daughters, four if you counted Emily, and he did. Just because he wasn't her biological father didn't mean he didn't love her and he was fiercely proud of her achievements.
Paula was right, he had to find out more about Robert Strickland, see if his worries were founded, or if his class prejudices were rearing their ugly heads again. He wasn't racist,or sexist, just because he appreciated beautiful women didn't mean he thought any less of them. But he had always had a problem with rich knobs, ever since as a boy a gang of older boys from the grammar school had made his life miserable. For months he had put up with their taunts and insults, until he had lost it and fought back, he was then forced to appologise for HIS behavior! The whole injustice had stuck in his throat and coloured his view on the world. The memory of standing in front of the pricks in their smart suits with their stuck up well connected parents looking on and being forced to say sorry after all he had had to endure at their hands had made him hate 'their' kind with a passion.
He finished his breakfast and thought of a plan of action, first stop, Brian. 'Memory' Lane could instantly recall details of any copper they had ever had dealings with, he had come up with the army connection. Then he would call Jack, he had connections, maybe he could pick up some of the grapevine chatter.
He reached for his phone and dialled Brian's number, is hadn't rung long before it was picked up.
"Hello." Esther had answered.
"Hello Esther, it's Gerry, I hope I havn't disturbed your morning. I was wondering if I could have a word with Brian."
"He's just walking Scampi, should be back soon, shall I get him to ring you?"
"That'd be great. Oh and thanks for coming yesterday, we really enjoyed it."
"So did I. I'll get him to call you.. Oh hang on here he is now." He heard the front door bang, and Esther calling, "Brian! Gerry's on the phone for you."
He heard some fumbling then the long suffering Esther's voice, in the background shouting "Oh Brian! Look at this mud!"
"Sorry love, Scampi went in the pond again." Brian's voice came back. "Morning Gerry, What's up? Is it a case?"
"Sort of. I want your help to do some research."
"Ok, what do you need?"
"Everything you can find out about Strickers." There was a pause.
"Gerry, I don't know what you're up to but..." Brian started, he sounded concerned.
"Look mate, it's nothing sinister, everyone keeps telling me to stop judging him, but everything I know about him makes me want to hit him, so I thought if I could find out a bit more about the bloke, maybe I could be persuaded to change my opinion of him." He paused, looking for the right words. "I don't want Sandra to get hurt, and I don't want to cause her any grief. I'm just worried and I want to put my mind at ease. I don't like the thought of her being with the tosser, but if it's going to happen, I'd best get my head round it. Does that make any sense?"
"Not really, but I'll help anyway"
"Great!, Can you gather up everything you have and meet me at Jack's place in an hour."
"Ok, see you then."
"Yeah, thanks mate. I owe you." Gerry smiled and hung up. He dialled Jack's number.
"Jack Halford." Jack replied almost immediately.
"Hi, it's Gerry, I need a favour mate. Me and Brian will be at your place in an hour."
"Hang on! Why here? What's wrong with yours?"
"One, you're closer to Brian, and you have a garden. By the time Brian gets here he'll be knackered, and he'll try to get that bloody bike up the stairs into my flat."
"Fair enough, What's it about?"
"I'll explain when I get there." Gerry said, he didn't fancy explaining on the phone again. "I'll be there in a bit so I can fill you in."
"Ok, I'll have the kettle on." Jack hung up. Gerry hung up the phone and grinned.
"I love it when a plan comes together." He said to no-one in particular.
Three quarters of an hour later, Gerry pulled the stag up outside Jack's semi. the door opened as he walked up the immaculate path.
"Come in and tell me what this is about."
Gerry slipped out of his jacket and hung it on the bannister, Jack tutted and hung it on the coat peg. "Brian is doing some research for me and I want you to help. I want find out about Strickland." He held up his hands as Jack turned to him, "I just want to put my mind at ease, Paula pointed out that I have decided to hate the man when I know next to nothing about him. It's either that or I sit at home and figure out how to kill him and make it look an accident." Jack's eyebrows went up. "Joking!"
"Sometimes I wonder."
There was a knock at the door, Jack opened it to find Brian removing his bicycle clip.
"Morning. Where can I put me helmet?"
"Don't tempt me." Jack answered.
After shedding his coat, the three men made their way to the kitchen, Jack made the brews while Brian got out his laptop and files from his rucksack, after he organised everything on the table to his satisfaction. he stood and cleared his throat.
"Right, this is what I have so far. What do we know already?"
"He is divorced and has two kids." Gerry stated.
"Sons. Ben aged ten and Adam aged twelve." Brian amended.
"He hates being called Bob." Jack added. "And the gossip a few years back said Mrs Strickland ran off with another man, taking the kids with her. It was about the time we took down Chopper Hadley."
"He was particularly hard to not punch back then if I remember right. Makes sense now." Gerry said.
"Lets start from the beginning." Brian said, opening one of his folders. He cleared his throat. "Robert Anthony Strickland, born tenth of may, nineteen sixty. Grew up in Witney in Oxfordshire..."
"Isn't that where they make the blankets?" Jack interupted.
"Used to, the last mills closed down a few years back." Brain corrected. Gerry cleared his throat.
"Sorry." Muttered Jack.
"When I did a search on the name, I found this. It's a child services record dated from nineteen sixty seven. He was taken into care after a teacher filed concerns about his wellbeing. The bare bones are these. His father and older sister were killed in a car accident on his seventh birthday, the mother blamed him and made sure he knew. It seems what started out as neglect turned to violence. He was removed and sent to elderly relatives in London, maternal Grandparents. He was sent back to the mother three years later."
Gerry sat back in his seat and let out a breath.
"Not the silver spoon upbringing I was expecting."
"Then I found these. Army records." Brian held up another folder. " Age eighteen he enrolled in the army, he was sponsored through Oxford university, graduated with honours, then got into Sandhurst. After three years he left after striking an officer. Went straight into Hendon where he finished in the top three for his year."
"So what does this tell us" Gerry pondered.
"He is self sufficient, and clever. Is there anything in the army file about the incident that got him kicked out?" Jack asked.
"A bit. A young recruit commited suicide, the inquest bought up suggestions of bullying by an instructor. The instructor was later cleared of any wrong doing. It was thai instructor Strickland punched. And he wasn't kicked out. It seems his commanding officer, one Major Crawford, stopped the court martial and instead helped him transfer to the police force. There is a glowing reference on file."
"Where did you get all this?"
"It's all on computer. Easy if you know where to look. It's just the same as when we do a search on a suspect."
"Thats bloody terrifying. That you can get a persons history that easily."
"It's not easy, you have to have security clearance."
"Where did you get army security clearance?"
"When we were working on the IRU, the Eric Trimble case. The spooks gave us access, I may have forgotten to give it back. Anyway, these are all archived files, not high security. So long as you can access the system they are there to be seen."
"It's not dodgy is it?" Gerry asked, "I mean I appreciate what you're doing, but I don't fancy getting arrested."
"Nah, it's fine, anyway if anyone looks, the user ID on this security is DI Hamilton."
"What, the spook?"
"That's the one. Serve him right for giving us a hard time." Gerry and Jack laughed. "Are you interested in his police file?"
"Yeah, lets see it." They all gathered around to look at the file.
"This is good, moved through the ranks quickly but on his own merit, numerous references from his senior officers, two commendations for bravery, injured twice in the line of duty." Jack commented, "This is the record of a brilliant officer, when did he start playing politics? I will make a few calls, see what I can find. How about we meet up at Brian's this afternoon, get this sorted before we're back at work tomorrow."
"Sounds fair enough, as long as Esther doesn't mind." Gerry shrugged.
"That'll be alright, Esther is doing an upholstery course, she'll be gone from two till about six."
"What do you feel about what we have found so far?" Jack asked Gerry.
"Confused, I was hoping to find proof that I was right not to trust him, but what we've found so far has blown everything I've believed out of the water, but then why is he such a shit at work? I don't know what to think."
"Lets wait till I've made my calls, Don Bevan is first on my list." Gerry rolled his eyes, Jack smiled, "I know what you think of him, but he's the one who recommended Strickland for the UCOS position when he left."
"Right, well I'll see you two later," Brian said, standing and collecting up his stuff, "I've got to go and see to Scampi, Esther said he's got to stay in the utility room 'till He's had a bath."
"Yeah, right you are, I'll be at your's about three then."
Jack saw them out, then wandered into his garden with his tea, he stood by Mary's bench, his breath making clouds in the cold air.
"Oh dear Mary love, I think I might need to have a chat with our girl. Yes I know we're interfering, but it's because we love her. What do I think of her going out with Robert Strickland? I don't know, he wouldn't be my first choice, but there are far worse men out there. I know love, I want her to be happy too... Yes we will be careful." He took a sip of tea, "See you later love, I'm going to make a couple of calls, then I will go and see her." He sauntered back into the warm in the hope Don Bevan could help.
It was just after two o/clock when Jack walked up to Sandra's front door, he rang the bell and waited for her voice over the speaker.
"It's just me, have you got a minute?" He said when she inquired who was there. The door buzzed, and he made his way up to her flat, when he got to the door she was waiting for him.
"Why do I feel I am in for an Interrigation?" She said, only half joking, she opened the door wide and gestured for him to come in. "Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee please, and you know why I am here. We saw you saying goodbye yesterday, didn't look like nothing."
"Jack, I'm nearly fifty, I don't need protecting."
"Why didn't you tell me on Friday?"
"Because there was nothing to tell on Friday, It wasn't anything more than friendship until we had dinner on Friday night. And why am I telling you all this anyway!" She answered, becoming annoyed.
"Because you want to tell me, You want one of us to understand." Sandra sighed, she set two cups of coffee on the table and sat down, Jack joined her. "Look, I'm not here to judge you, or tell you you're making a mistake or anything like that, as you said, you're quite capable of making your own choices. Gerry is worried, but trying to get his head around it. Brian seems less bothered. It's just that he can be such a bastard at times, we are concerned. I suppose if I knew what you had seen which changed your mind, a week ago you'd have laughed at us if we had suggested you and him together. What's different?" Jack reached across and took her hand. She lowered her eyes, she knew she had to explain, Jack had been a constant in her life for so long, he had been the missing father figure in her life since her world had been blown apart. She nodded.
"It started on Wednesday evening, I went to the ice rink to see if I could still skate, turns out I was useless, I nearly fell, he appeared out of nowhere and saved me. He was different Jack, he was with his sons, and he was himself, no pretence. I saw a different Robert Strickland that night, and since then I have got to know the real him. He hates the politics of his job, he hates having to be the bad guy all the time. He respects all of you guys, especially you, and it really gets to him when he hears all the things that are said about him. He has a wicked sense of humour, he's shy and has no confidence around women, his wife hurt him a lot. He loves his kids, and they worship him."
"Do you love him?" Jack asked.
"Yes, I think I do." She stopped suddenly. There it was, she had said it, it was real. She suddenly realised that she did love him, and she needed him to know that. Jack smiled warmly at her and squeezed her hand.
"Then I'll stand by you." He stood up, "And I'll let you get on, I can see you're busy. Are those actual vegetables on your counter?"
"Yes! I am making lasagne. Robert's coming for dinner tonight, my way of saying Thankyou to him."
"Make sure you say more that than that." Jack winked. Sandra playfully slapped his shoulder.
"I suppose you have all been talking about this?" She said.
"Of course we have! We care about you. Don't worry, I'll see to the others. Enjoy tonight." He left her thinking and set out for Brian's house. Time to put this to rest.
He pulled up outside Brian's house. Esther opened the door and welcomed him in, she was wearing her coat and was obviously on her way to her class.
"He's in the dining room. Gerry's there" She indecated for him to make himself at home. "He explained what you are all doing. I can't say I approve, but if it will put your mind at ease... Just be careful, there was something about Mr Strickland which worried me." Jack frowned in concern, "Oh no! Not concerned for Sandra, but for him. I don't think he's used to being wanted. I think if any of you dissapproved and made Sandra unhappy, he would walk away to protect her which would be a disaster for both of them, please don't put them through that." She looked up at him, imploring him to see her view on this. He smiled.
"Don't worry, I'll see to it." She nodded and went out. Jack made his way to the other room where the others were waiting, he got straight to business.
"I spoke to Don. He knew the Major who had saved our boy from the court martial. Don was a mentor, among others. He told me that Strickland started on the politics ladder when he got married. His wife comes from money, her father is a high court judge and her mother comes from a titled family. She was used to the best and demanded it. The whole sailing club thing was her idea." He sat and folded his arms in front of him. Gerry and Brian sat in silence, hanging on his every word. "Evidently, she though he had money and status, his mother was a Cavandish.. lots of land and money, and a family title, she didn't realise he had been cut off by his family. He hated that world and had walked away from it. She pushed him to get promotions, rub shoulders with the influential to gain power. She left him for a millionaire Hairdresser."
"Bitch!" Gerry couldn't help himself. Brian nodded.
"It seems he's reguarded as a bit of a joke by the top brass, they send him to all the garden parties and political events because they know he hates it and is uncomfortable, but won't say no. Most of them call him Bob because they know it winds him up." Jack shook his head. "Don hates it, says he doesn't deserve any of it and is basically too nice for his own good." Jack took a breath. "I went to see Sandra." Gerry looked surprised.
"You didn't tell her what we're doing?"
"Of course not, do I look daft? I told her we were concerned."
"She was ok with that?" Brian asked.
"She understood. We talked, I am happy that she knows what she wants. She has seen another side of him and I am willing to trust her judgement, plus everything we have discovered today has changed the way I see him." Jack paused. "I think we need to stand back and see what developes, leave them to work this out."
"Be her friend." Brian agreed.
"And do our best to keep everything as normal as possible." Gerry nodded. "So how about we go to the pub! That's pretty normal for us. We can see what tomorrow brings. You in Brian? I'll buy you a juice."
Jack laughed.
"C'mon Scampi, let's go to the pub." Brian smiled.
