Dennis had just sat down at his desk with his breakfast when the phone gave a ring. He glanced at the clock and noticed it wasn't even close to 8am yet.
"Merton."
"Have you looked at the file yet?" His superior snapped.
"No, sir. I only just got in."
"Only just?! I told Bradley he was to tell everyone they needed to be in early! I suppose no one else is there yet, either? Your station is-"
"I have the file in front of me, sir, is there anything you wanted to add?" Dennis interrupted, feeling a headache already brewing.
"Well… no."
"Then I'll read it straight away and call you back if there's anything I need to discuss with you." Dennis slammed the phone down. It was going to be one of those days.
…
The station was inundated with calls about sightings all day, and Dennis was so busy he forgot about his home life until Steve showed up at the station just before lunchtime with a grin.
"Alright, Den? Can I have a word?'
"I'm busy." Dennis snapped, handing a file to one of the constables.
"It won't take a minute."
Dennis sighed, and then motioned to the interview room before following his brother in law in.
"What is it?"
"Do you mind if I hang around for a few weeks?"
"Why are you asking me? You've never bothered before."
"…Because I need your help."
Dennis gave another sigh and shut the door that led to the office. "With what?"
"It's about that escaped prisoner."
Dennis' head snapped up and he eyed Steve suspiciously. "What about him?"
"I sort of…I've been…"
"Spit it out!"
"Jenny only knows part of the story, because I don't want to upset her. You won't tell her the whole truth will you."
"I don't know if you won't tell me what it is!"
This time Steve sighed and stared at the floor. "I've been seeing his daughter. She found out a couple of weeks ago that she's pregnant and decided she wanted her father to know. Only he wasn't happy about it and he was going to send people after me. She suggested I leave the city until things settle down, but then Jenny told me this morning about the escaped prisoner, and when I heard his name…"
"…Let me get this straight. You decided to come here, to your sister's house, one of the first places people would come looking for you, and you didn't bother to tell anyone else they might be in danger?"
"…I didn't exactly think it through."
After a few seconds thought, Dennis came to a decision. "Go through there and give as many details as you can to Sergeant Bradley. And do not hold anything back, I mean it Steve."
"Where are you going? Can't I tell you?"
"We've had possible sightings as close as Whitby, Steve! I'm going to get Jenny and Charlie out of that house. I can't believe you've been so stupid!"