Gone Girl

Dempsey felt sick as he watched the forensic officers work around him in Harry's small apartment. The place had become more of a home to him than his own place ever could. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to ignore the blood stained carpet and the broken glass that seemed to be everywhere. He closed his eyes as he heard his boss approach him.

"Dempsey."

"I was too late."

"Now, you listen to me, my boy." Spikings spoke calmly but his dulcet welsh tones gave away an edge. Dempsey knew he was as worried about the blonde detective as he was. Spikings just didn't like people to see how much he cared. "Firstly, you should still be on ward 19 at the City General. Secondly, this is Harry Makepeace we are talking about. She is not some weak and feeble woman that is waiting for the Knight in Shining Armour to save her. That is not her. You know that."

"Yeah." Dempsey frowned. "Harry is tough but you didn't see her the night she was taken by the older Swabey. The Thriller Killer. You didn't see how much he had got in her head. I did."

"What are you saying?" Spikings glared.

"I dunno." Dempsey paused. "Just that she's human. Even if she wants the rest of the world to think she's some form of Ice Queen." He looked to his left as Chas joined them. The Glaswegian looked visibly upset.

"Guv, whoever it was has gained entry via the bathroom window."

"That's tiny." Dempsey frowned. "Neither of us could fit through it."

"Its been forced." Chas explained. "I guess maybe, he had an accomplice."

"Not his MO." Dave explained. "I did some research. I'd only just started with you when the older Swabey started attacking women. So, I went back to the station, went through Harry's old case notes. He is following his brother. He isn't going to have a sidekick. Its too unlike his brother. Am I making sense?"

"Yeah." Dempsey answered. "For once."

Dave shrugged. He didn't care if Dempsey and the others thought he was being an idiot. He wanted to find his Sergeant. He didn't care if he looked a prat in the process. Spikings nodded.

"Good work." He turned to Dempsey. "I should insist on you going back to the hospital but I see about as much chance of that as Maggie Thatcher dancing to Bucks Fizz in PMQs! Now, you get yourself killed and I am not going to up with it. I already have to talk to Harry's father, I do not wish to have to call your mother with the news of your demise. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal. Don't tell Freddie. Not yet. He's an old man. He has a heart condition. Let him be until we have her home. Ok?"

Spikings nodded, glad for the excuse to put off the inevitable. He was scared to death that Harry was already dead. Seeing the young forensic scientist approach did nothing to calm his fears.

"Joanne?"

"Sir." Joanne handed him a piece of A4 paper with a message in felt tip pen scrawled across it. "This was in DS Makepeace's bedroom."

"Thank you." He took the paper. "The bastard."

"What?" Dempsey snatched the paper, almost toppling off his crutches as he took the paper. "I am going to kill him with my bare hands. Sir, get a cell ready for me because I am going to kill him and hand myself in."

"Don't talk nonsense."

"He said what he is going to do to her before he kills her. He left this on her bed. For crying out loud! She could already be dead."

"We don't know that." Chas tried to calm his friend. Dempsey wasn't listening. "Hey!"

"She's dead. I know she is. I was too late. I let her down." He closed his eyes as the older men exchanged glances. They had to find the Nightstalker before Dempsey did; or there would be Hell to pay.

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