Chapter 7

Mitch and Pete pulled up outside the house of Dave's Mother. They got out and walked up the small steps and Pete rang the doorbell. They waited a few moments before the door opened. A woman of around 70, dressed smartly with short brown hair and glasses perched on the end of her nose answered.

"Mrs Murray."

"Yes."

"I'm DC Mitchell and this is DC Readyough. Could we come in for a few moments."

Mrs Murray stood with worry etched on her face as she let Mitch and Pete in. They followed her through to the sittingroom and took a seat on the sofa. Mrs Murray sat in the chair opposite them and waited for them to begin.

"Mrs Murray."

"Please call me Celia."

"Celia. I'm afraid we have some bad news for you."

"Oh my god. Is it Dave has he been hurt or Gill. Please not Gill."

"No Gill's fine and your Son hasn't been hurt."

"What's he done."

Pete and Mitch gave each other a look that told her Dave had done something very wrong.

"DC Mitchell. I'm not a foolish woman. I know Dave has a temper. That's it isn't it. Who did he hit. It wasn't Gill, was it?"

"No Ma'am, it wasn't Gill."

"Don't spare my feelings young man. Give it to me straight."

"He assaulted a woman called Julie Dodson. She's a DSI over at Syndicate 9."

"Julie Dodson. I know that name. Isn't she a friend of Gill's."

"That's right. She was attacked." Pete said.

"Oh my god. That's awful. Wait, you think Dave did it."

"I'm sorry Celia but he did do it. Gill's a witness." Mitch replied.

"I don't understand though, Why. Why did he attack her."

Again she saw that look between them, which was beginning to annoy her now.

"Oh for goodness sake, just tell me. I'm not an idiot. Tell me." She asked, getting angry.

"Julie is in a relationship with Gill and Dave found out about it. He got very angry at the news and from what we can gather, he'd gone round to Gill's and words were excganged. He lost his temper and he hit Julie. She fell through a glass table, causing bad bruising and some cracked ribs."

"Oh my god. That poor woman. So you want me to give him up. Is that it."

"If he contacts you. We would appreciate your help. Convince him to give himself up."

"Very well." She signed.

"Thank you. We'll let you get back to your day."

She walked Mitch and Pete to the door and stopped Mitch just before he stepped out.

"DC Mitchell."

"Yes."

"I know Dave's my Son but please don't think for one moment that I condone what he did. I know they're divorced but I still care about Gill a great deal. She's still like a daughter to me. If you would tell her that for me. I haven't heard from her in a while and if you could let her know that I don't judge her choices. If she's happy with this Julie person then I'm happy."

"I'll tell her. Thank you for your time." Mitch smiled, as he walked away.

On their way back to the station Mitch decided to stop off at the hospital.

"Do me a favour Pete, just wait here. I just need a quick word with the Boss."

"Yeah, no problem. Don't be long though. It's nearly lunchtime and I'm bloody starving."

"Okay, okay. I'll make it quick."

Mitch got out of the car and made his way into the hospital and walked to Julie's room. He saw Gill through the glass and she saw him as she looked up. He saw her say something to Julie and then she came out.

"Boss. Sorry to bother you. I just wanted a quick word."

"Let's go outside. I need a cigarette."

"I didn't think you smoked."

"Only when I'm stressed, come on."

He followed his Boss outside and watched her as she lit a cigarette.

"Well come on then. I assume you have an update."

"Pete and I have just been to see Dave's Mother."

"Oh." She answered, quietly.

"She's a nice lady."

"Yes, she is. So she knows everything then."

"She was worried about you when we told her about Julie and what Dave had done."

"I haven't spoken to her in a while."

"Maybe you should. She said to tell you that just because you and Dave aren't together anymore that you don't need to avoid her. She says that she still considers you a Daughter and also to say that she's very happy for you and Julie."

"She did."

"Give her a call Boss. She misses you."

"Have you tracked Dave yet." Gill sniffed.

"Not yet. Give it time. Don't worry, we'll catch him and as soon as we do Janet will no doubt let you know."

"Thanks Mitch and for being very understanding about all of this."

"No worries Boss. We're all behind you aswell, incase you didn't already know that."

"Thank you. Go on, you'd better head back. Pete looks like he's about to drop."

"That man only ever thinks about his stomache. Catch you later Boss and phone your Mother-In-Law."

To Be Continued…