Something to work with

Henry sat at his desk deep in thought. He knew James, Kate and Jake were determined to put the person responsible for the attack on Alesha. He just had to make sure they, and the police officers they worked with kept on the right track.

"George." He looked up as the affable Scotsman walked into the room. "What can I do for you?"

"Alesha Devlin has been released from the hospital. I just spoke with her. She's keen to come back to work but I told her not until Monday. Hopefully her and James' office will be back to normal by then. The police are still treating it as a crime scene."

"The girl is due some leave." Henry sighed. "I want Jacob Thorne and Kate Barker to run the prosecution for this. James is too close. It's too close with him being Alesha's best friend."

"I agree. The defence would have a field day. Keep me informed." George nodded before leaving the office. Henry watched him go, knowing that the CPS would have to change if they were going to keep their staff safe.

Xxxxxxx

"Ron?" Matt answered the phone as Cameron clambered up onto the sofa next to him and Alesha. "Yeah, we're home. Alesha's sleeping but she's ok." He listened for a moment as Ronnie explained how he thought the attacks had happened.

"So? Both women knew each other?" Matt slipped into the kitchen determined not to wake his wife.

"Looks that way." Ronnie sighed as he sat at his desk. "Look, the forensic evidence on Sally's murder shows that whoever did it was an amateur. So much evidence left that we may as well have found a signed confession on the girl's body. Only thing is,"

"What?" Matt knew he wasn't going to like what Ronnie was going to tell him.

"It's different from the stuff SOCO found at the CPS."

"Eh?"

"Angie and Joe are right. Two different crimes- two different criminals. Forensics suggest both were women. Now we know that from our Alesha's statement that she was attacked by a woman. Forensics match it to Diane Fothergill."

"Sally's sister-in-law."

"Yeah."

"And I thought my family was messed up." Matt sighed. Lucky the cat jumped on the table as Matt looked on.

"Join the club. Only thing is - I can't have any more to do with this. Clare Thomas is the other suspect. She just came out of prison."

"Go on."

"Matt, she killed my first partner. When I was DI. Remember I told you?"

"Bob- ginger loudmouth you called him."

"Yeah - so Natalie and the CPS reckon I av to be on gardening leave until the case is over. Might jepodise it. Same goes for you, son."

Matt let out a sigh. He knew it was likely. He was just as emotionally involved as Ronnie.

"I've some leave owing anyway. You?"

"Matt, I bought a litre bottle of vodka today. Don't say anything but I almost drunk it. Didn't though."

"No. Ron, you are better than that. You don't need that stuff." Matt was more concerned than angry but he knew Ronnie would feel bad enough without him adding to it.

"Waste of bloody money. Didn't touch a drop. Matt, he died in front of me. I was too slow. I can't be like that again. Natalie was right to remind me of that."

"You weren't. I know you, if there's one thing you are good at it's blaming yourself. This new baby is going to need a godfather. I mean it - you're the closest thing Cam and the baby have to a grandfather. You can't go back and change what wasn't your fault."

"I know son." Ronnie paused. "Grandfather? God I'm old."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow Ron." He ended the call more worried that ever.

Xxxxxxx

"Address for Thomas." Angie handed Sam a piece of paper. The DI nodded.

"Great. Joe? Time we paid her a visit." He glared at the address scrawled in black ink. Joe nodded before pulling on his leather jacket.

"Let's do this."

Cvvvvvv