Chapter 9

Evan gazed out the train carriage window, trying to work out in his head what he was going to say to DCI Henderson. He wasn't given to believing in ghosts or the supernatural but, he had to admit what had transpired over the past week was truly weird. He took pride in his professional standing as a Barrister and worried that the conversation he was going to have at 3 o'clock would undo his hard earned reputation. Therefore, he was agonising over how he was going to explain his story to Henderson without sounding like belonged in the funny farm. He had armed himself with Molly's notebook, Alex's report on Sam, along with Sam's statements, and had even lined up a meeting with another police officer who had just awoken from a coma. He had tried to gain access to Alex's case file, but had been told it was classified and he would need permission from a court and a bloody good reason. His sanity and that of Molly's, didn't appear to be a bloody good reason. He opened up his copy of the Mail. It was splashed across the front page and Evan found himself staring at the old picture of Gene Hunt. "It is a crazy, screwed up world." He thought to himself as the train whirred into life and started its journey to Lancashire.

Henderson and Adams flashed their warrant cards at the care home manager "We're here to talk to Brenda Rose." stated Henderson.

"Follow me Inspector." said the broad, short woman. "I warn you she's very frail these days and gets easily confused."

"Don't worry, we won't keep her long."

The manager indicated a little, old, withered women sat in the corner of the room.

"Brenda Rose?" enquired the DCI

She looked up to meet his eyes

"DCI Henderson and DC Adams Lancashire CID. We called yesterday"

"Ah yes, I remember." She replied weakly

"Are you up to some questions?"

"Of course Inspector, anything I can do to help." She smiled pleasantly.

"I know this is going to be difficult as it's a long time ago, but do you remember your street's Coronation party?"

"Course I do." She smiled again "It was wonderful, everyone turned out for the party. We all pulled together in those days, not like today."

Henderson and Adams returned the smile.

"We were singing and dancing, it had been a while since we had something to celebrate."

"Do you remember PC Morrison being there?" Henderson continued.

"Hehehehe. Yes, one too many drops of whiskey I'm afraid. He was a lovely man, he was so understanding with Agnes." She seemed to drift off a little.

"What happened with Agnes?" Adams asked intrigued.

"Is it important?" She asked concerned

"It may be, we're just trying to get a picture of what happened that evening. So, please."

"Agnes was upset; she'd had another row with her boyfriend. She had wanted him to stay at the party, but he said he had to go and meet someone about a bit of business. Agnes was furious. PC Morrison calmed her down and cheered her up."

"So this boyfriend left the party? Where did he go?" encouraged Adams.

"No idea, he didn't come back the next day to apologise to Agnes, so she finished the courtship. Good riddance if you ask me."

"Good riddance?" questioned Henderson.

Brenda screwed up her face "A right wrong un, lazy-good-nothing. Always in trouble... fighting and the like. Our Agnes had a lucky escape.

Henderson glanced over to Adams and back to Brenda, "Can you remember the lad's name Mrs Rose?"

Brenda was starting to look tired and a little muddled, "No, sorry Inspector, I can't think," She said sounding a little distressed.

"Its ok." soothed Henderson.

She shook her head "All I know is that his mother was a District Nurse."

"Just one more question, do you remember a young Police Constable with PC Morrison?"

"Oh yes," a smile crept over her wrinkled face "That Skinny runt made a pass at me. It upset me, I was a married woman. Looking back I should have taken it as a compliment. PC Morrison sent him off. He didn't want our family upset even more."


Evan waited patiently in Henderson's office. His train had made good time so he had plenty of time to kill the other end. He had amused himself with a bit of sightseeing before making his way to CID where he had been well looked after. In the past, when he had the need to go into a police station, it was for professional reasons and was usually treated with contempt and suspicion. Now he was comfortably seated with yet another cup of coffee.

"Sorry to keep you Mr White, as you can appreciate we have our hands full at the moment." Henderson said as he shook Evan's hand warmly.

"I'm grateful for your time." responded Evan.

"So, what's this all about?" Henderson Smiled

Evan let out a sigh "Now, what I'm about to tell you, I don't expect you to understand. I don't understand it myself."

Henderson was listening so Evan carried on. "When we heard on the news that you had indentified Gene Hunt I had to contact you. See, my Goddaughter lost her mother, as you know three weeks ago. Since then she has been having dreams." Evan paused and took a deep intake of breath. "She's been dreaming of her mother, dreaming that she speaks to her. One day molly said that Alex had appeared to her and asked her to help find Gene so that he could be laid to rest, so he could find his peace."

Henderson Being slightly puzzled said "And this to do with...?"

"Please just listen." Evan cut in. "Molly referred to him as the Guv."

"Mr White I don't see what this has to do with my investigation." Henderson said abruptly.

"She also mentioned other police officers Sam Tyler, Shaz Granger, Ray Carling and Chris Skelton. All deceased in sad circumstances" He said in desperation.

Henderson was suddenly jolted upright in his chair "What about them?"

Sensing that he now had Henderson's full attention he continued. Do you remember DCI Sam Tyler?"

"Well yes, it was a big story in these parts. He jumped off the Manchester CID building."

"Sam was in a coma after an accident. When he woke up he contacted DI Alex Drake regarding what he went through in his coma. Sam said that he went back to 1973. He described waking up every day in that world and working in a CID department run by a DCI Gene Hunt. He described his colleagues WDC Annie Cartwright, DS Ray Carling and DC Chris Skelton. He even fell in love with Annie. Sam told Alex that the world he had found himself in was very real. It's all in here." Evan showed the now very confused Henderson Sam's case file.

Henderson took it a started thumbing through the folder.

Evan continued "When Alex woke up she spoke about these same officers except their WPC was Shaz Granger and she was based at Fenchurch East CID."

Henderson shook his head in disbelief "I still don't see how this can help find Gene Hunt's killer. It seems to me that Sam was in a complete fantasy world and Alex, having read all about it carried on that fantasy."

"I know this sounds crazy." Evan was sounding more desperate. "But, how could Molly describe these people as well. Here!" Evan passed Molly's note book over to Henderson.

Henderson studied it for a while then said "How old is Molly?"

"She's 12." Replied Evan

Henderson raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"She is desperate for you to find Gene's murderer. She believes her mother has sent her a message to help him."

"Do you have Alex's case file?" asked Henderson hopefully

"No, they won't release it to me." Evan said frustrated.

"I can get it." Henderson stated. Evan looked slightly more relieved.

"There is a Police Officer, in a London Hospital, who has just emerged from a coma. He has been muttering odd things as well. I have arranged to go and see him tomorrow. I know this is an imposition, but would you accompany me back to London and see him with me? I think it could help... Both of us" Evan was imploring him with his eyes.

Henderson looked into those eyes and could see that it was eating Evan inside. Henderson was fascinated and baffled in equal measures.

"Ok." He conceded, "I can't stay long, but you have got me intrigued. Can I make copies of these files?"

"Yes of course."

"Addison." Henderson called for the WPC "Could you make copies of these please?"

"Yes Sir."