The Quattro screeched to a halt at the entrance of Fenchurch Docks after a daring handbrake turn which only heightened Alex's apprehension of going back onto the docks. Before she could change her mind, Alex jumped out of the car and looked up at the dock sign. Her head felt light and hazy and her vision became blurred. The others got out of the car and Gene told Chris and Ray to go ahead to the scene. Gene walked to the other side of the Quattro and, to reassure Alex that he was there for her, he squeezed her hand and held on tight as they walked past the uniformed officers guarding the scene.
The body of a young male was slumped against the inside of the wall of the boat's shelter. There was no blood and no obviously fatal injuries. Alex began to feel slightly better. At least he hadn't been shot – Alex knew that she wouldn't have been able to deal with that case. I'm happy, hope you're happy too. Too many memories.
"Gov, Ma'am?" Chris piped up as he walked back from a conversation with the first officer on the scene, desperately trying to remember the details he had just heard. "If you look at his right arm, there's a needle mark. They won't know the cause of death until the post mortem, but at the moment it looks like simple, self-inflicted overdose."
"Thanks, Chris." Alex said, giving him an appreciative look. "DCI Hunt and I will..."
"We'll leave you two to wrap things up here," Gene interrupted to the irritation and anger of Alex. "I'm sure one o' the plods can give you a lift back. Okay? Right. Good. Come on, Bolls."
Alex was speechless and was led back to the Quattro by Hunt. As soon as they got in the car, Alex exploded. "What the bloody hell are you playing at? They could have missed something, we could have helped them. What was..."
"Look, Bolly, I'm happy to let them get on with it. You're always harpin' on about givin' Ray and Chris more responsibility, so I thought you'd be 'appy about me listenin' to you!" Gene paused and looked at Alex. "And, I don't think you need to be spendin' much time on the docks. You know why."
Alex put her hand on Gene's and smiled at the sentiment. "I know you're trying to protect me, Gene, but, this is my job. I was fine. I am fine. If it was a gunshot wound, it would have been different but I'm fine with this. Honestly."
Gene was unconvinced but decided in this instance to keep shtum. He felt it was his duty, now more than ever, to protect her but he knew that she wouldn't appreciate being patronised like this. Without another word, he drove back to the station and realised that he would probably regret leaving Chris and Ray in charge of a murder scene. If they didn't return within a couple of hours, he would radio them and possibly give Bolls the slip to go and check up on them. Alex was right, though. This is her job and she'll be in worse situations than that. He had always worried about Alex getting hurt, but it was like his feelings had increased ten-fold overnight. But, Gene knew he had to accept that he couldn't protect Alex from everything. And that terrified him.