Thanks to all those who are reading, favouriting and reviewing this mini-epic. All really appreciated.

As always none of these characters are mine – except Maggie and I don't really want to claim credit for her! Hope you enjoy. Oh, and adult content at the beginning so skip if you don't enjoy that.

Chapter 21 – Something Wicked

Alex glanced over at the bedside clock for what seemed like the hundredth time, only to discover that time seemed to have come to a halt – or at least drastically slowed down. With a quiet sigh she closed her eyes and tried counting sheep – but the sheep resolutely refused to line up quietly and be counted. Instead she opened her eyes and glanced over at Gene – who seemed to be having no such problem. For a tantalizing moment, Alex considered snuggling against his warm, solid back; she was almost positive that he could be roused into another sleepy lovemaking session – maybe that would help her sleep?

With a regretful sigh she reluctantly turned away – it wouldn't be fair on Gene. He had a big day tomorrow and he would need all his wits about him as he faced Mac and two chief supers in the promotion board for superintendent; the last thing he needed was to be tired and shagged out. Gene might be acting casually about the implications of promotion but Alex also knew that deep down it mattered to him.

Determined to find other methods to cure her sleeplessness, Alex slowly and quietly rose from the bed, quickly donning a full-length cream satin wrap to protect against the chill. She slipped silently out of the bedroom and made her way downstairs. Milk. Warm milk should do the trick. Pausing only to flick on a side lamp and switch the gas fire onto a low setting, she made her way to the kitchen and warmed some milk on the stove, adding a touch of honey as sheer indulgence.

She was soon curled up in a comfortable armchair in the lounge, leafing through the pages of her latest bedtime reading – Vanity Fair. Maybe a couple of chapters would settle her mind or at least distract her from more pressing concerns. However, she was only a few paragraphs into the latest chapter when she found the antics of Becky, George, Amelia and lovely Dobbin being overtaken by other characters in her head; Doyle, Supermac and David Adams all jostling for attention. Alex gave up and put the book down, marking her place with a leaflet she had carelessly stuffed inside. She had thought that with the arrest and subsequent remand of Doyle she could rest easy, but it would appear that her head had other ideas.

She was still lost, deep in thought when the door to the lounge creaked slightly and opened.

"Alex?"

She turned her head toward the unexpected sound of his voice. "You should be asleep. Big day tomorrow."

Gene frowned as he made his way towards her. "Yeah. Thing is, I woke up to find an empty space where there shouldn't be an empty space. I was worried. You okay?"

"I'm fine. Restless. I didn't want to wake you – no point in both of us being awake."

Gene made a vague grumbling noise as he dragged a padded footstool in front of her chair and sat down. Peering curiously at Alex's mug, he helped himself to a sip but grimaced and quickly returned the drink to its rightful owner.

"Yuck. Its milk!"

"That is the traditional cure for sleeplessness."

"Is it? Thought it was scotch?"

Alex couldn't help grinning. "No. That's just your cure for everything."

"And that's a bad thing because?"

"Well, with the amount of sleepless nights I have, it could well be a bad thing."

"You know your problem? You worry too much."

"Probably," she agreed.

Gene ran his eyes over her, a thoughtful expression stealing over his features as he considered the options. What he wanted was to go back to bed, but he also knew that Alex wasn't quite ready yet – too restless and on-edge to be able to sleep – and he wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that she couldn't.

"Talk about it?" he said finally. "Might help."

Alex drained the last dregs of warm milk and nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Right then, best get comfy. Feet up."

"What?"

"Give us yer feet. I need to do something with me hands while I listen."

"Oh…right." Alex unfurled her long legs, the satin robe slipping and sliding to reveal more flesh than she intended.

Not that Gene minded. But his eyes simply narrowed slightly as he took Alex's feet into his lap and began to gently massage the sole of one foot. "So, what's keeping you awake?"

"Mmmm?" Alex closed her eyes as the pressure from his fingers began to send waves of relaxation through her body. "Nothing. Everything. Just trying to fit the pieces together I suppose. Doyle…"

"We've got him Alex. He's in custody." Doyle had been arrested almost immediately after Alex had finally made the connection with the Temple case and Gene certainly wasn't losing any sleep over it.

"Yes but we need more evidence. Just supposition at the mo….ooooh." Alex moaned softly as Gene increased the pressure slightly, gently flexing her ankle as he continued to work.

"Good?"

"Good…better than good."

Gene turned his attention to her other foot, rubbing away the tensions. "We'll put Doyle away – we'll find the evidence. What else?"

Alex was struggling to concentrate as Gene's hands worked diligently at her feet – stroking, soothing, rubbing. "Well, there are Mac's threats of course – and given what David Adams had to say to you..." Alex bit her lip to stop a whimper of pleasure from escaping her lips.

"David just confirmed what we already knew about Mac." Gene thought for a moment as he gently massaged each of Alex's toes. "Still can't figure out why he had Peter Adams shot though."

"Maybe it wasn't about Adams – maybe it was about you."

"Eh?"

"Adams was just the tool to try and discredit you my love. It didn't work though."

"Nearly did."

Alex opened her eyes and watched distractedly as Gene continued to massage her feet, strong firm hands rubbing and squeezing until she thought she was going to expire with pleasure. His eyes were lowered, concentrating on the job in hand, and Alex took the opportunity to look her fill at the sight of her gorgeous man. Mine. Maybe Gene Hunt wasn't everyone's idea of heaven or the afterlife, but if she was dead and if she had to be separated from Molly, then Alex couldn't think of anyone else she'd rather spend it with.

"Gene?"

"Mmm? Tired yet?"

She wiggled her toes to get his attention. "Not exactly no."

"What then?" His hands stilled for a moment as he looked up. What he saw in her face hit him squarely in the solar plexus before travelling south to a more sensitive region. Desire - pure and unadulterated – shone in her eyes, a shy but wicked smile playing around her lips. "Oh…right." His own eyes never left her face as he hands moved from her feet, travelling lightly over her ankles, stroking smooth taut calves. "Maybe we should…you know... go upstairs?"

But Alex was already too impatient. "No." She shook her head and wiggled forward in the seat, her toes now gently rubbing his bathrobe covered crotch.

Gene drew in a sharp intake of breath quickly followed by a murmur of appreciation. "No," he agreed.

Alex held her breath as Gene's hands moved slowly but surely upwards, caressing the soft, silky skin of her thighs, rubbing the satin of her robe against her body in a way that made her shiver with delight. His hands were warm and confident against her body, his thumbs applying an enjoyable pressure as he outlined the shape of her hips, his hands finally coming to rest at her waist. She watched entranced as he tugged at the belt that was only barely helping to conceal her modesty. His features were schooled into an expression of fierce concentration as the belt finally loosened and his fingers slowly parted the fabric to expose her fully to his gaze.

She could already feel desire flooding her body as he moved closer, kicking away the footstool he had been sitting on and kneeling between her legs in adoration. "Gene," she whispered, her hands reaching for him, needing to feel his skin against her own.

A low growl was his only response as his hands continued to explore, fingers touching and tracing the contours of her breasts as she brazenly arched into his hands. And then suddenly his mouth was touching her skin, nuzzling at her neck, nipping and teasing his way up to her ear. Alex writhed under his ministrations, her arms wrapped around him and holding him close until their lips finally met.

Gene groaned as her mouth opened to his command, tongues entwining avidly, hot open-mouthed kisses that did nothing to satisfy the raging need he felt. Why did she have to be so bloody good, so perfect? He felt like a teenager on his first date, his body no longer under his control. He could feel her hands slip under his bathrobe, her nails raking down his skin as she abandoned herself to passion. His bathrobe slipped away as Alex tugged it from his shoulders and they were finally naked in each other's arms. He pulled her closer, kissing his way down her torso, tonguing her belly-button to her quite obvious delight, until he finally reached the hot, liquid centre of her desire.

Alex closed her eyes, moaning and shuddering as Gene's tongue began to lap at her core, her hips undulating uncontrollably as the waves of sensation crashed through her body. She smiled with anticipation as she felt Gene part her thighs even wider, eventually lifting her leg over his shoulder the better to access her. God he was so bloody good at this. She opened her eyes briefly and looked down to watch the magnificently erotic sight of his head between her legs, his face totally concentrated on the task in hand, a look of total bliss on his face. She groaned softly and closed her eyes again, feeling the familiar and ecstatic sensations beginning to take hold.

"Gene…please…coming…god..Geeeeeeeeene!"

Gene felt her throb against his tongue, a warm rush of wetness, a taste of pure honey that only served to heighten his own aching arousal. Without pause he carefully dragged Alex forward to the edge of the seat cushion, lifting her hips slightly and surging forward until he was deep inside her. He stilled for a moment as she wrapped her legs tightly around his hips, pressing him closer still.

"God…just please…fuck me!" she pleaded.

"Oh yes." His voice was husky with desire as he began to move slowly and rhythmically, withdrawing almost completely and then driving back into her, again and again and again.

"Oh shit…Alex…love…"

"Don't stop," she pleaded, "not yet…so close…need you…"

Beads of sweat broke out on his brow as he renewed his efforts, laying her back slightly so that he could touch her, his fingers finding her clit, lightly circling and matching they rhythm of his thrusts.

Alex flung her head back in a silent, open-mouthed scream, her fingers clinging desperately to the arms of the easy chair as Gene continued to drive into her, thrusting upwards and hitting that most sensitive of spots. Her hips were arching against his in a frenzy of unbearable yearning until at last she felt the tension build to a crescendo, sending shoots of electricity around her body as she spasmed around him.

Almost immediately following her own orgasm, she could feel Gene's hips starting to jerk erratically as he cursed roundly and held onto her even more tightly.

"Fuck…no…yes…yessssssssss."

He slammed against her in one final powerful thrust, filling her again and again as his orgasm crashed around him, an uninhibited cry of satisfaction torn from his lips as he slumped forward into her arms.

They lay there for a few moments, still joined, arms wrapped around each other as they came back down to earth. Alex tenderly smoothed her fingers through his hair, luxuriating in the feeling of his body lying on hers, hearing his racing heart beating.

"Well, that was better than warm milk," she said softly.

Gene laughed, a low sexy rumble that vibrated through his chest. "Alright for you."

"How so?"

He slowly raised himself up to look in her eyes. "You're not the one with soddin' carpet burns."

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Gene cast a brief glance at his reflection in the mirror as he stood washing his hands in the gents' toilets. He wasn't a vain man by any means but he was happy with what he saw this morning. He took the opportunity to smooth down his recently trimmed hair and straighten his tie. Might at well attempt to impress the interview panel with his good looks and charm just in case the know-how and intelligence didn't shine through. Alex had insisted that he put some effort into his appearance this morning and he had been only too happy to oblige her – especially after their passionate and deeply satisfying late night encounter; he felt supremely relaxed and confident, radiating a deep contentment that would have been obvious to anyone who took the trouble to look. He was ready for whatever the world, and the promotion board, could throw at him.

He was busy drying his hands when the door to the gents opened quite forcefully and a familiar figure hove into view.

"Ah, Hunt." Detective Chief Superintendent Truman's voice boomed around the room as he shook Gene's hand briskly. "All ready for the board then?"

"Ready as I'll ever be sir. Are you…?"

"On the panel? Of course man. Why else would I find myself in Fenchurch East on a dismal September morning?"

"I thought Chief Superintendent Gregory was third man?"

'Freddie' Truman laughed. "Well, he's more of a middle-order batsman I think, but he's been unavoidably detained. I said I'd step into the breach - especially when I heard you were involved."

Gene nodded and tried to keep the smile from his face. At least if Truman were on the panel he'd have a fighting chance – now all had to do was face down Mackintosh and his own Chief Super.

"Thanks sir – I appreciate it," Gene said.

"You're a good officer Gene – I saw that at Hyde Park. Now, if you just keep your head in this interview, don't let the others wind you up and answer the questions honestly, I think you'll find you'll be up the leader board in no time. Detective Superintendent Hunt – it's got a good ring to it."

"If you say so sir. I'd better be off then."

Truman shook his hand again. "Remember what I said – be honest and be straight. That's all you can do. See you in there."

Gene left the gents and began to make his way along the corridor to the conference room where the interviews were being held. Well at least he knew one thing for certain now – Truman was on his side and more to the point, he wasn't a mason.

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Alex shifted uneasily in her seat, wincing slightly as she did so; Gene may well have the carpet burns to show for their night of passion, but she too was sore – and in some very delicate places! She doodled idly on the pad in front of her as her mind replayed the events in her head, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Oh, she knew this was just the honeymoon period in their relationship but it did seem that they very physically suited.

She glanced into Gene's empty office and a flicker of nervousness crossed her features, although quite why she should feel nervous was beyond her. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about the promotion board – of course she wanted him to do well but most of all she wanted him to be happy. And if that meant being a DCI rather than Superintendent, then that's what she wanted for him too. Anyway, the whole thing was out of her hands – all she could do was support him…whatever the outcome.

"Ma'am?"

She glanced up to see Ray hovering by her desk. "What can I do for you Ray?"

Ray shifted uncertainly and lowered his voice. "Well its just that I….that is we," he glanced around the room, "…we've heard a rumour…about the Guv."

"Oh. What sort of rumour?"

"That he might be leaving."

"Leaving?"

"Yeah…you know. Being transferred out – or even retiring."

"Bollocks."

"Ma'am?

"You heard me." Alex raised her voice slightly so that the rest of the office could hear their conversation. "The Guv's going nowhere if he can possibly help it – certainly not retiring." She lowered her voice again. "Don't suppose you'd like to share the source of this information with me?"

Ray looked around uneasily. "Usual places…networks."

"Hmm really? Not the lodge by any chance?"

"Well, there's a lot of us in there…coppers that is. Wouldn't be unusual would it?"

"Perhaps not. But don't believe everything you hear Ray. Just because they're your 'brothers' doesn't mean they're telling the truth."

"But..."

"Listen Ray, I can't tell you exactly what's happening with the Guv – that's up to him. But I can tell you that they'll probably have to drag him kicking and screaming away from this station – he won't go quietly."

"I just want things to stay as they are."

"I know," she said sympathetically. "But sometimes things have to change in order to make progress. It might not be as bad as you think."

"Yeah right."

Alex watched as Ray wandered disconsolately back to his desk and slumped down in the chair. She supposed it was just the nature of the human condition – to want things to stay the same - change could be frightening and uncertain. But it could also be exhilarating and exciting – even life-enhancing in the right circumstances.

She hoped desperately that it would be that way for Gene.

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"Alex!" Gene rifled impatiently in the chest of drawers, flinging bras and knickers aside. "Where the bloody hell is it?" he mumbled.

Alex stuck her head around the bedroom door. "Where the bloody hell is what?"

"Me tie?"

She sighed dramatically. "Which one – you do have quite a few you know." She watched in amusement as he continued to ransack her underwear drawer.

"Burgundy one…stripes."

"Well, you're not likely to find it in there are you? Personally, I think it's just an excuse to rummage through my knickers." She came behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his back.

Gene smirked and turned around. "I thought you quite liked me rummaging through your knickers?"

"Oh I do. Preferably when I'm wearing them though."

Gene tightened his arms around her and nuzzled at her neck. "I'm sure that can be arranged."

She giggled and then squeaked as he pinched her bum. She pulled away regretfully; he did look and smell awfully good tonight – shower fresh and raring to go. "You have to go out tonight – remember?"

As if he needed reminding. "Don't 'ave to see Maggie. Rather be with you. Especially tonight."

Alex opened a drawer and extracted a tie at random and then turned to Gene, reaching up and positioning the tie under his upturned collar. "I know – and I'd rather be celebrating with you too. It's not every day you get promoted to Super." She kissed him on the cheek and began to loop the tie in a loose knot. "I'm so proud of you."

"Yeah well…nothing changes yet."

"With immediate effect they said?"

"Oh yeah, I get the rank and the money now - but they still 'ave to find a berth to put me in. Could end up in Timbuktu if there's a vacancy."

Alex finished knotting Gene's tie to her satisfaction and stood back to admire her handiwork. "Then why wait?"

"Eh?"

"Don't wait for them to find a position for you – start applying for the jobs you want."

He sat down on the bed. "I know it makes sense…I just…"

She slid onto his lap and was relieved when he put his arms around her. "Whatever happens," she said, as she pulled him closer, "wherever you go – I'll be there too."

He lifted his eyes to hers. "Will you?"

"Of course. I love you Detective Superintendent Gene Hunt – you're going nowhere without me."

"Love you Bolly." As their lips met, it felt like the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. As long as Alex was with him, he felt like he could do anything.

"And if you're really good," she said as they broke apart, "I'll let you rummage through my knickers again tonight when you get back"

"I'll 'old you to that."

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The thought of rummaging through Alex's knickers was probably the only thing that kept Gene sane throughout his meeting and subsequent discussion with Maggie. He allowed his mind to wander a little as she droned on about something or other, some imagined misdemeanour he had committed during the years of the their marriage. He idly wondered what sort of knickers Alex would be wearing when he got back home; cream satin with the fiddly ties at the sides? Black lace maybe? Or the red string thing that showed all her arse? Maybe she wouldn't be wearing any at all – one could only hope. Gene swallowed and grimaced slightly as he felt a distinct movement in the trouser area.

"Are you listening to me?"

"What? Yeah." Gene struggled to pay attention.

"Really. What was I saying then?" Maggie said sourly.

Gene cast around wildly. "Summat about me drinking too much and not paying you enough attention."

She pursed her lips for a moment. "So you were listening then – so what d'ya have to say?"

"Guilty as charged – hardly compares with killing our child thought does it?"

"Keep your voice down," she hissed. She looked nervously around the crowded wine bar where they had chosen to meet.

"Bit too late be ashamed now love."

"I'm not ashamed," she said defiantly, "it wasn't a child – it was just a collection of cells Gene. It was nothing…nothing."

"Might 'ave been nothing to you Maggie but it could 'ave been everything to me."

"Oh yeah? I can just see it now – Gene Hunt…devoted Dad." She laughed bitterly.

"You never gave me a chance."

"A chance to do what Gene? Stop drinking? Stop whoring? Stop filling your life with work so you didn't have to face me at night? I don't even understand what you're doing here."

"Neither do I," he mumbled under his breath. "I'm only here for one reason - and that's Alex.

"Oh, the ever so perfect Alex," she sneered. "I'm surprised she's still around after what I told her about you."

Gene took a huge gulp of wine. "Yeah, you tried your best Maggie but it didn't quite work out the way you planned. She said I needed to talk to you, try and understand why happened..."

"You just don't get it do you darlin'?"

"Get what?"

She opened her mouth to speak and then changed her mind. The smirk of malicious intent was unexpectedly replaced by sadness. "I never loved you Gene."

"What?" he said quietly.

"I never loved you," she said slowly. She lowered her eyes for a moment and then looked up, her eyes full of some remembered sorrow. "You were just there at the right time."

"I thought…but I thought…"

"I know what you thought – it's what I wanted you to think. I didn't want to marry you Gene - not at first…then I had no choice."

"I know – I got you up the spout."

"No you didn't Gene."

"Eh?" He tried to push away a slowly dawning realisation.

"It wasn't yours and…"

"Shut up!"

"Gene please…"

"Shut the fuck up." He looked at her now, shaking his head in disbelief and disgust. "You were shagging someone else? You were shagging someone else behind my back?"

"It wasn't like that Gene." She shook her head wearily and started to stand up. "You wouldn't understand."

Gene grabbed her hand and pulled her back down into her seat. "Try me."

Maggie glared and then reached for the wine glass and brought it shakily to her lips. "You were on duty one night, so I went out with the girls like I always did – for a drink and a laugh. Anyway, come closing time most of the other girls had paired off with blokes so I started to walk home by meself. Nothing I hadn't done before."

Gene nodded silently.

"Anyway, I never saw it coming – bit tipsy I suppose. Someone dragged me into the alley just down Porchester Road. I screamed but he had a knife…"

"Christ Maggie."

"I thought he was going to kill me so I froze." She closed her eyes as she relived the past. "He pushed me on the ground…I was so scared…I didn't want to die – so I just lay there while he…he." She stopped and took a huge gulp of air.

"He raped you," Gene said quietly.

Maggie nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Why? What would you have done?"

"I dunno," Gene admitted. "But you were my girlfriend Maggie, you should 'ave said something."

She shook her head sadly. "You were hardly Mr Sensitivity back then were you? You wouldn't have believed me. Anyway, I broke up with you not long after it happened. Don't you remember?"

"I remember us breaking up for a few weeks. I never did figure out why."

"Because I couldn't face you…couldn't face any bloke really. Trouble was, a few weeks later I found out I was pregnant."

"Suppose abortion didn't occur to you then?" Gene said bitterly.

"It was illegal then. But I tried everything I could bar that - gin…hot baths – you name it, I tried it – nothing worked. But you were still hanging around so…"

"So you suckered me in. Thanks."

"I still liked you well enough Gene. It was the only way out for me. I could see you had potential. Marriages have been made with worse prospects."

"True. So we got married – and you miscarried anyway?"

"Ironic eh? I don't know whether it was because I'd tried to get rid of it earlier or whether it would have happened anyway. I'd almost managed to convince myself it was yours, pushed the other thing out of my head…"

They sat there in silence for a while, each lost in thought, the wasted years of pain and regret hanging around them like a dead weight.

"I still don't understand why you had the abortion though."

Maggie shook her head, tried to clear away the haze of remembrance. "I panicked I suppose…got confused. It felt like when I'd been pregnant before, felt like I was trapped and I couldn't bear it - I had to get rid of it. And I knew by then I'd lost you – it was too late."

"I'm sorry," Gene said finally.

"Not your fault. I'm sorry too. Sorry I never told you – sorry I tried to screw up your life as well as mine."

"Does Dougie know?"

She shook her head sadly. "No. What good would it serve now? And I can't take the chance."

"He loves you."

"I know – that's why I can't take the chance."

"I loved you too you know – back then. Might not 'ave shown it very often but I did."

"Yeah. Funny how sometimes we can't love the people who love us – no matter how hard we try?"

Gene drained his glass. "Listen love, I'm gonna shoot off now – I need to get back home. You wanna share a taxi? I can drop you off somewhere?"

"You're alright Genie. Dougie's coming to pick me up – perfect gent eh?"

Gene smiled at the familiar nickname. "Don't mess him about Maggie – he's a good un. Better than me at any rate."

"I'll try. I'm glad we talked in the end."

Gene stood up. "Yeah, me too."

"That Alex – she was right all along." She paused and watched for a moment as Gene collected his things and prepared to leave. "We won't see each other again will we?"

"Probably not," he admitted. "Maybe for the best though. Take care Maggie. Have a good life."

"You too Gene."

Gene walked out into the darkness, pausing only to light a cigarette before he carried on walking in the surprisingly busy streets. His mind was a whirl of confused emotions - it was too much to take it all at once. Rape? Miscarriage? Abortion? Christ what a mess. He still couldn't really forgive her for what she had done, what she had put him through, but at least he wasn't angry with her – not really. He looked around and realised he had been walking aimlessly, not really caring where he was headed. He passed a busy bar on Kingly Street and for a moment he was torn between stopping for a whisky chaser and heading back home. He needed to think about what Maggie had told him, but more importantly he really needed to talk to Alex about this – should would make sense of it all he was absolutely sure.

Ignoring the bar he ducked down a shadowy alleyway, intending to use it as a short cut to Regent's Street – he'd be sure to pick up a taxi from there. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the silent pad of footsteps behind him, didn't hear the soft breathing of a stranger with deadly intent. The first thing he heard was the whoosh of something falling through the air – something hard that made a painfully exact connection with his head. He fell to his knees as the initial blow dazed him, cursing as another blow rained down and he fell to the ground in an insensible heap, his last conscious thought wondering how he would explain this to Alex.

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"Gene!" Alex woke with a start with his name on her lips and a strange fuzzy feeling at the back of her head. She looked around in confusion as she tried to get her bearings. "Oooof." She gingerly sat up as she realised she had fallen asleep on the sofa – she hadn't done that for a long time. She had been having some sort of strange dream but for the life of her she couldn't remember what it was. She looked around the lounge, squinting as she tried to focus on the clock. Almost 5.30. Gene wouldn't have left her lying on the sofa so that meant that the bastard hadn't come home yet. God, she was going to give him such a piece of her mind – where in Gods name was he?

The harsh trill of the telephone interrupted her increasingly irritated train of thought. She glared at it furiously. If this was him asking her to come and get pick him up he could go and …

She picked up the phone. "Gene? Where the hell…"

"Boss?"

Alex shook her head in confusion. "Ray? Is that you?"

"Yes ma'am – I was after the Guv."

"You and me both. What's the problem?"

There was a pause before he finally spoke. "You need to come to the station – you and the Guv. There's been another hanging."

"Oh Christ – I'll be right there."

"Ma,am?"

"Yes Ray what is it?"

"It's the Guv's ex-missus."

"What?"

"It's Maggie Hunt."

. . . . . to be continued.