Complicated Situation

Gerry stared at the woman in the hotel lobby as Sandra tried to work out whether she should just accept the fact she was sharing a room with Gerry or insist they found her a room of her own. Before she could say anything the young brunette handed the key to her.

"I am so sorry. With the Games being on there really are no other rooms. We are fully booked. And I think most if not all the hotels along the area will be. Its a pretty big deal, you know? Getting the Commonwealth Games."

"Yeah." Gerry bit his lip. He could see Sandra was clearly intimidating the young woman.

"I see. Well, at least tell me there are two separate beds in this room we are so lucky to have." She waited as Gerry nodded.

"Well, obviously. There's gonna be. Isn't there?"

"Ah," The receptionist looked at her immaculately manicured nails. "Well."

"Honestly. I don't care. I just want a shower and change of clothes. Gerry, come on." She turned as Gerry shrugged his shoulders before following her.

xxxxxxxxx

Jack walked alongside the pavement with Brian at his side. He knew they were going on very little evidence. That the deaths of the two young women were becoming more and more inexplicable. They had one suspect that happened to be in prison in another country. He pulled his collar tighter to him as he tried to keep out the cold.

"Bet Sandra and Gerry aren't putting up with this drizzle." Brian huffed. "You coming to our for your tea tonight?"

"Yeah. Thanks." Jack looked up at the door. "This is the address Ted found. C'mon." He walked up to the front door hoping that the former boyfriend of one of their victims was going to be able to give them some useful information. Brian sighed, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Jack rang the doorbell as Brian shuffled from one foot to the other. A teenage girl answered the door as Jack smiled.

"Hello." Brian smiled at her. "Is your Dad 'ome?"

"Who are you?" She folded her arms.

"Brian Lane and Jack Halford. UCOS."

"What's that?" She refused to move. Jack couldn't help but be reminded of another feisty teenager he had known years earlier.

"Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad." Jack explained.

"Then why isn't it UCOCS?" She smirked as Jack looked away. "It doesn't have all the initials in the acronym."

"I know that. I didn't name it. Now, can we speak to your father?" Brian was beginning to get frustrated.

"No." The girl smiled slightly. "Not unless you can find him. He's not here. Hasn't been all day. Or yesterday."

"Well, your mum then." Jack stated.

"Yeah. She's here." The girl turned around. "MAM! COPPERS HERE FOR DAD!"

A harried looking middle aged woman appeared behind her. "What av I told you about shouting our business for all to hear. Tiffany! Get inside. Are you two actually police?"

"Yeah. Well, sort of." Brian paused as the woman raised an eyebrow.

"Well? You either are or you aren't. Which is it?"

"We work for the police." Jack spoke calmly. "UCOS."

"I saw you lot on the news. Blonde woman in charge, some press conference or other." She nodded as neither man spoke. "You better come in." She ushered them both into the house. "Is this about my soon to be ex husband?"

"You've parted?"

"Yes." She crossed her arms, the mannerisms similar to those of her daughter. "It was a long time coming. Anyway, what's he done?"

"He reported his ex girlfriend missing a few years ago."

"A few years ago?"

"Back in 1982. He was at uni. Did he ever talk to you about his girlfriend at the time and the other girl who was killed." Brian asked as he looked around.

"No." She folded her arms. "He doesn't talk much about his past. Look, I don't want to have anything more to do with the cheating scumbag. You call him."

"Do you have his number er "

"Diane." She handed him a small business card. "Try his mobile. He's probably with his latest tart but there you go."

"Can I ask, why are you divorcing?" Brian asked as Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Its complicated. But lets say, he prefers paying for it." She narrowed her eyes as both older men looked at each other. Jack made their goodbyes before leaving the younger woman with her daughter. Both detectives wondered whether Karen's ex-boyfriend was hiding a secret.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Gerry stared at the large double bed in the middle of the room as Sandra dumped her bag on the floor next to the large sofa. He had no idea what was going to happen. He felt like a teenager about to spend the night with the first serious girlfriend he had.

"I need a shower." Sandra sighed. "Then I'm going to ring Inspector Donovan."

"What about kipping tonight?"

"Er." Sandra looked around the room. "You take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."

"No chance."

"You have a bad back."

"Sandra. I am trying to be a gentleman here." He huffed as Sandra raised an eyebrow.

"First time for everything." She watched as he pulled a face.

"You take the bed."

"And have you moaning about your back the entire time we are here? No thanks. We've shared a bed before."

"Yeah but that was as mates." Gerry frowned. Sandra nodded.

"So? What are we now?"

"You know how I feel about you. I told you. You remember. After the car crash." Sandra smiled.

"Yeah. I did remember. Only that's all it was in the end. Words." She paused as he blushed. "We know how we both feel. This is work. We can be adults." She looked at him. "Cant we?"

Gerry nodded, avoiding her eyes. He had a feeling getting a good nights sleep was going to be more complicated than he had been expecting.