Hi All....Just a short chapter this...kinda setting it up for a longer one...Many many thanx (I can never say it enough) for all your reveiws/comments........Enjoy.....

Disclaimer as Norm

New Information

Ben Reynolds had one of his decidedly more 'grumpy' looks on his face as he sat across the desk from Lightman.

"You don't know how many strings I had to pull – How any 'favours' I had to call in to get this information Lightman"

"But you're SURE of it Reynolds – These 'sources' of yours are completely solid on this one?"

"It's for sure alright. But man they had to dig deep, this thing is covered up deeper than stuff that's in 'Area 5' - and there's a whole lotta BIG names tied up in it. Want my advice? You should stay a whole hellava long way away from this"

Cal grinned "Yeah well, you know that's not gonna happen don't yer, specially not now"

Ben rose out of his chair shaking his head.

"Your funeral Lightman, but I am outta this now – completely- you got that? I DO NOT wanna hear another single word from you regarding this issue. You wanna carry on digging – you're on yer own man"

Reynolds was still shaking his head as he left the office.

Before the door had fully closed it opened again and a puzzled Gillian walked in.

"What was that?...What have you done to upset Ben so much this time Cal?"

Opening a chocolate bar and taking the first bite, Gill slid down onto the couch.

"Oh nuffin really luv – he's just grouchy coz I woke him up a bit early this morning with a phone call"

Over half the bar had already gone.

"I know that bit. He was sitting in reception when I came in this morning, said he was waiting for you – some sort of vital information you had woken him up this morning for – something to do with a 'special' case apparently….What case is it Cal?"

Keeping his face down he pretended to be looking for something by shuffling various bits of paperwork around on his desk.

"Oh, it's err, nuffin much really…not one you need to get involved in anyway…more or less sorted now"

Having finished the chocolate Gill stared at her partner. That was a poor attempt at a lie by anyone's standards let alone Lightmans.

"Then why do you feel the need to lie to me about it?"

"I am not LIEING, well..not exactly…It's just…well more of a personal matter that's all"

Gill stood up, she went and stood directly by his side forcing him to look up and make eye contact with her.

"It's something to do with that Whiting woman isn't it? You've been back to see her again haven't you?"

Cal decided quickly to go for the irritated approach as a way of getting Gill to back off.

"So wot if I have? Wots it to do with you Foster? – She still had things left to give me, so I went and picked them up alright – and even if that wasn't the case…even if I just felt like seeing her again…it's still got nuffin to do with you has it"

Gill took the bait, her response now held the same coldness as his had.

"Certainly not that part of it no…But when it comes to utilising company resources, AND upsetting the staff as well – then THAT part becomes my business Cal"

Lightman stood upright, forcing her to take a few steps backwards.

"Well it was just the once, it won't be happening again – alright –Dr Foster!"

For a few moments they just stood and glared at each other, then, like Reynolds before her, Gill turned and left the office just shaking her head.

"Sorry luv, just can't have you getting involved in his one" Lightman said softly to an empty office.

For a long time he just sat there, tapping a pencil on the files spread across his desk.

He had a lot to think about.

The information Reynolds had given him earlier, the possible ramifications on him, and the business if he did decide to dive in to the game.

What would be his next move?

Picking up his cell he dialled the number. It was answered in less than 3 rings.

"Hazel – yeah it's Cal…. are you free this evening, I wanna see how you get on with more modern, American handcuffs….."