A Sudden Death

Stuart went a head with his plan to act like he knew nothing. However, he did feel guilty when Hunter asked him if he had found any more leads, towards the discovery of her parentage. He hated seeing the disappointed look on her face, and the sadness in her eyes, but he felt he was doing the right thing. Phil Hunter destroyed everything he touched. He could love no-one but himself. He'd already deserted his other children, why should Hunter be different. She was an adult surely that made it easier to walk away? As the days went by the guilt was slowly eating away at him. He had to tell someone. Do something. His chance came a few days after his visit to Darren's, when Mickey asked him how far he had got with his private investigation work. He felt seeing as Mickey was going out of his way to help, he had to tell him the truth.

'I found out who her Dad was.' Stuart started.

'That's great mate. What does Hunter think?' He was thrilled that she would get her dream come true, and hopefully be truly happy for once.

'She doesn't know. I didn't tell her.'

'Why? She wanted you to find him you can't keep that from her.' Mickey looked concerned that Hunter would be deprived of her chance of meeting her Father.

'I know, but when I found out who it was I couldn't tell her.'

'I don't understand. Who is it? Some sort of criminal?'

'No. It's Phil.'

'What Phil Hunter? As in Phil who worked here? That Phil?'

'Yes that Phil. When he was 18 he got her Mom pregnant. He doesn't even no Hunter exist.' Stuart sighed, putting his head in his hands. Mickey shook his head, not being able to believe what he had just heard. He gave a little laugh.

'Only Phil.'

'It's not funny. I can't let him wreck her life, just as she's getting it settled.'

'Look, she wanted to know, so I think you should tell her. It's not up to you to decide, whether he should be in her life. It's her decision.'

'Yeah your right.' Stuart knew Mickey was right but he still couldn't tell her. 'I'll tell her later.' He lied.

'Good. She has a right to know.' Mickey walked off, shaking his head in disbelief. With any luck, Phil would tell Stuart to leave Hunter and then he'd be in with a chance. No, that was selfish of him. She was happy, he couldn't wreck that for her.

Later that day as Mickey was about to leave the station, he heard a sob coming from the reception area. He leant over the counter, and saw just the top of Hunter's head, as she wept into her hands.

'Hunter? Are you OK?' He ran around to the other side of the counter. He found her in a heap on the floor sobbing her heart out.

'Leave me alone.' He sobs got louder.

'No, I won't. What's wrong? Tell me, I want to help.' He crouched down to her level, and placed a hand on her shoulder, which she shrugged away from, hating the way she felt when he touched her.

'You can't help, not unless you can bring people back from the dead.'

'Oh, I'm sorry. Was it anyone close?' Mickey desperately wanted to comfort her. To dry her tears, and for her to lean on him.

She felt it difficult getting the words out as she was weeping even harder, than before.

'I guess. I didn't know him, but now I won't get the chance.'

'Hunter, please tell me who it is.' Mickey pleaded with her, to let him in to her private little world, so that he could try and ease her sorrows.

'My Dad. He's dead.' The tears poured down her face, as she looked at him as if to say, there, you know now.