Sorry for the delay...and thanks again for the reviews.
Chapter 21
"I'm sorry Sir, Ms Grey hasn't appeared to have been back her apartment since yesterday morning. I would have seen her."
Jeremy Chapman gritted his teeth in annoyance down the phone at the Mallorcan porter "Please could you check again, she was supposed to have contacted me last night, I am worried for my fiancé. I know what you bloody Daigos are like."
The porter politely coughed at Jeremy's tactless comment. "Sir I assure you, She hasn't been back to her apartment, the maid said her apartment was empty."
"Well she can't have just vanished in a puff of smoke...look here, I am getting rather concerned."
"I understand Sir, I can ask the lady who has the neighbouring apartment whether she has seen her but..."
"Yes! Do that, go ask her right now" barked Jeremy interrupting.
" You see Sir, I won't be able to ask the English Lady until she returns from the hospital." The porter explained.
"Hospital?"
"Yes, an ambulance had to be called for her husband this morning, he looked as though he had been shot with a gun. There was blood everywhere...the lady was very upset as you can imagine. She went with him to the hospital this morning."
Jeremy crinkled his forehead in confusion. Remembering Monica telling him that she had to bribe the apartment block manager to give her the apartment next to Dempsey and Makepeace's he asked "This lady's husband, he wouldn't happen to be an American would he?"
"Si, si...yes an American...you know him?"
A smile crept across Jeremy's lips "And you say he had been shot?"
"Si, very messy leg."
The smile grew into a grin as Jeremy thought that Monica had shot Dempsey , he was in complete ignorance of Monica's death. He muttered "Good girl."
Jeremy hung up and turned to Glyn and grinned "Monica's got Dempsey, I'm sure she's working on Makepeace next. Two down...Barton next."
"Do we still go today?" asked Glyn as he cleaned his semi-automatic machine gun with an oiled rag.
"Unless the prison service have decided not to move him today. Are all the lads briefed?"
"Yeah, they know what to do, they just need to know whether we are taking Barton out altogether."
"I got the word from Daly less than ten minutes ago. Hunt refused to play along with the Yanks, so our orders are to shoot to kill."
"I'll look forward to it." Said Glyn with a sly smirk. "What time does it kick off?"
" 3pm"
Gene, Alex and Leroy had experienced an un-eventful flight. After all the excitement of the wedding proposal had died down, there was little else to do other than sleep. Gene once again had availed himself with the in-flight bar and was snoring next to Alex. She and Leroy were asleep also, Leroy's sleep was not peaceful. After months of stress, lack of sleep and uncertainty, his dreams were full of drama. He tossed and turned in his sleep, occasionally muttering past conversations. As time passed, his uttering's had become louder and more urgent, his unconscious movements more animated, his dreams more vivid.
With one violent jerk Alex stirred. "Leroy? What are you doing?" she said sleepily.
Leroy didn't reply, he tossed in his seat again.
"Leroy?" Asked Alex more firmly, coming too. She opened her eyes fully and focused on her new colleague.
"No! No! Get out of here." He mumbled
"Leroy! Wake up!" Alex gently shook him realising he was having a dream which was rapidly turning into a nightmare. "LEROY!"
"Huh? Leroy sat bolt upright in a state of shock and confusion. He blinked at Alex blearily.
"It's ok, you're safe." She comforted.
"I am?" he said still perplexed as he looked around at the other snoozing passengers. "Oh yeah, England...are we there yet?" he said brushing his head through his wiry hair.
"Nearly...look.." she pointed at of the window "Bright sunshine." She smiled warmly at him.
"Wow!" he exclaimed leaning forward to get a better look. "Sure looks pretty out there...will they put out the red carpet for me at Heathrow?"
Alex simply smiled at him. She really didn't know what the reaction towards Leroy would be in London. It was certainly was going to be learning curve for all of them. She just hoped that the American would be able to settle in ok...well she had managed it...hadn't she?
"Everything is going to be fine, Gene and I will look after you. The first thing we must do, Is find you somewhere to live and get you settled in."
"Hey babe, thanks for the offer, but I don't need some nurse maid...no offence intended, I can look after myself."
"And I'm sure that is very true, but you don't need to do it all alone...not anymore. We work as a team, we all look after each other."
Leroy suddenly looked a little unsure "You really think the guys will take to me? Make me feel like I'm one of the team? Cos y'know I ain't the average Joe."
"No you're not, but if they can get used to a woman having a high rank, they can used to you. Besides, I think you'll get on like a house on fire."
"Am I getting a partner?"
Alex thought for a few moments, that hadn't been discussed. Ray and Chris worked together, she and Gene were a partnership and all the other officers in CID were paired up...that just left one person. An image of Dempsey and Makepeace suddenly flashed into her mind...an American with a female officer, yes that could work in CID. Leroy and Shaz, she could just picture Shaz's face. A broad grin appeared across Alex's face " I know the perfect partner for you, DC Granger."
"Suppose we don't get along?"
"Oh you will, everyone gets along with Shaz." She sang
"Shaz?" Leroy said slightly vexed.
"ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. We are just coming into land at London Heathrow...
"Any answer yet Chas?" asked a concerned Spikings as he entered the SI10 main office.
"No, sorry Guv" Chas shook his head replacing the telephone receiver after trying Dempsey and Makepeace's Mallorcan apartment for what must have been the tenth time that day. "Still no answer."
Spikings shook his head "I don't know Chas, typical Dempsey behaviour, but Harry would have phoned in by now...I don't like this...not one bit."
"Does seem a little odd, Guv. I'll keep trying, just in case they've been out for the day."
"Out for the day? It's not a bloody holiday...they're not supposed to be sightseeing, buying stuffed donkeys and knocking back the Sangria, mind you with those two it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I suppose we ought to be grateful it's not summer over there otherwise they would be sunning themselves on a beach calling it undercover work."
"They do like to blend in sir." replied Chas trying to defend James and Harry.
"Hmm, there's blending in and there's taking the piss. Keep trying, let me know the second you get hold of them." Spikings jabbed a stumpy finger at Chas before stomping into his office and shutting the door with a hefty clang.
After breezing through customs, Gene and Alex waited for Leroy the other side of the gate. Being an American he was facing the twenty questions from the Heathrow guards.
"Aren't they done with 'im yet, I want to get back to the station and check it's still in one piece." gruffed Gene. "Heaven knows what's been happening with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee in charge."
"They're only doing their duty Gene, have to make sure he's not some sort of criminal. It's not every day that someone tries to walk straight through customs with a Magnum." surmised Alex
"Hmmmph, don't know why he wanted to bring that cannon with 'im in the first place...it screams nutter."
"You carry one, what does that say about you?"
"I'm the Sherriff, it's only right." He sniffed.
They both watched on as Leroy continued to battle with security in an animated fashion.
"Why do Americans like waving their arms around so much. Looks like he's got ants in 'es pants either that or 'es just about to take off." said Gene as he watched Leroy practically jumping up and down on the spot, gesticulating wildly with his arms.
"Oh Gene, he's just keen to get out of here like we are...we are going to have to find somewhere for him to live...I was thinking..."
"Here we go..."
"I was thinking, maybe he could have my flat..." Alex gingerly approached the subject.
"Wha? Where are you gonna live then?"
"I thought since we were engaged...then maybe...I could perhaps...move in with you?"
Gene shot Alex an incredulous look. "With me? You are joking."
Alex's expression sunk, she had expected Gene to have jumped at the opportunity...or at least been a little more enthusiastic.
"I thought that's what you would have wanted." She quietly replied.
Gene realised he'd just been tactless and quickly backtracked "Bolls it's not that I don't want you to, it's just that...well, my place isn't really geared up for a bird."
"In what way...it's not like you have 'Play boy' and smutty videos strewn around the place...do you?" she cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Course not, you know me , I am a perfect gent."
She folded her arms tightly , frowned and said a little more forcefully "Well what then?"
Gene looked sheepish and shuffled uncomfortably.
"Well?" Alex persisted
"It's not really the kind of place for...for a couple I spose, just a place where I lay me head."
Alex raised her eyebrows as if to say "Go on!"
"I was thinking we could get a place together...a fresh start an all that...my place was just some digs I found when I first arrived here...it's nowt special."
Alex softened, she knew what Gene was trying to say, she placed a hand on his arm to reassure him. "Gene, I don't need somewhere special, I just need you, a comfy bed, a cooker and perhaps a washing machine."
"What do ya need a cooker for? You live on Luigi's fodder?" A smile returned to Gene's lips.
They stood there smiling at each other until they were disturbed by the sound of an excited crowd across the airport lounge. Gene and Alex looked in the direction of the commotion and saw a rabble of Paparazzi with Dictaphones and cameras all trained in the direction of a tall blonde beauty who was posing for photographs. She pouted , blew kisses and flirted with the eager hacks hoping to get an exclusive.
"Jeeez, you're guys sure don't like Americans, talk about guilty until proven innocent." A harassed Leroy had finally been released by customs. His eyes widened as he noticed the blonde bombshell "Say! Is that Chenelle Diaz? Wow! She is one hellava foxy babe."
"Who? Never heard of 'er" retorted Gene
"Chenelle Diaz, she's an American model. She's just got a contract with a lingerie brand." explained Alex.
Gene turned to Leroy "Are you all sorted? Have they decided you're safe and not some sort of psycho, Yanky , trigger happy nutcase?"
"I think so brother, I think the only info they didn't want was my shoe size."
"Right then, let's get home."
The trio proceeded to push their way through the Paparazzi throng to get to the terminal exit, as they made slow progress in the crush, one of the hacks spotted the imposing Gene.
"It's DCI Hunt!" he yelled over the throng "And DI Drake!" he added enthusiastically.
Within a heart beat a sea of heads span round to stare at Gene and Alex, then the hacks were on them firing questions from all directions, camera flashes blinding their targets. Gene and Alex were like rabbits caught in the headlights, Leroy was in stunned bewilderment. He had just left one madhouse and stepped right into another. He had heard stories of the hound-like British press, but he had never experienced anything like this. Chenelle Diaz was left abandoned, standing with hands on hips and with a disgruntled scowl on her face. Never, ever had she been upstaged by two English policemen before.
"Hey! I haven't shown you guys my best side yet!" she hollered after the deserting Paps.
Gene instinctively grabbed a firm hold of Alex for fear of her disappearing into the mêlée.
"Keep walking" he tried to whisper in her ear.
"Mister Hunt! A few words for our readers, please?" shouted one reporter "DI Drake, Alex! How was your trip to New York? shouted another.
"Are you getting married?" came another yell.
"Christ!" muttered Gene "They know where we've been and everything. "Leroy, keep ye mouth shut and ye head down."
"I'm trying brother."
"Oh God," replied Alex "Yes, Leroy they can't know that you're here."
"Please Mister Hunt, just a few words."
Gene, Alex and Leroy desperately tried to push their way through. Gene was trying not to lose his temper.
"Gene, you've got to say something." There was a hint of desperation creeping into Alex's voice as she was finding the crush suffocating and claustrophobic.
Gene stopped abruptly and turned to face the bulk of the crowd "Listen up!" he demanded.
A hush fell on the pack, although the cameras kept on flashing.
"Me and the good lady have had a long flight, we are very tired and in no fit state to answer your questions."
"Is that an engagement ring Alex's is wearing?" called out a voice.
Gene and Alex glanced at each other, did they let slip or not. Alex shook her head indicating 'No', it wasn't fair to announce their engagement to the whole world without telling their friends and colleagues first.
"We will answer your questions when we have had a good night's sleep." Dismissed Gene, his mood turning irritable.
"Come on folks, the show's over. This is a working airport not a red carpet, you know the rules." An authoritive voice boomed over the chaos "let them pass." Security guards suddenly appeared in the crowd and scooped up Gene, Alex and Leroy and lead them out of the terminal building into a waiting taxi.
"Sir, we will forward your luggage on to Fenchurch East." Said a security officer "Sorry about the ruckus, You are heroes in the public's eyes and they like a good love story.
Alex turned to the officer suspiciously "Love story? How do they know?"
The guard gave Alex a warm smile "You were snapped in Postman's park sharing an intimate moment." With that he shut the door on the three and rapped on the taxi roof to let the driver know to go. Gene and Alex stared in disbelief at each other with their mouths open as Leroy grinned rubbing his hands together "Phew, what a welcome. I think I'm gonna like it here."
"He's what?" boomed Spikings down the phone to Harry.
"He's in hospital, he's in a bad way Sir." replied Harry quietly, twirling the phone cord round her fingers.
"How bad?"
"Septicaemia, it's his leg again...I knew something..."
"Well why didn't you do something...Sergeant? he's your partner, you have an responsibility to him." Spikings was being less than sympathetic and making Harry feel even more guilty than she already felt.
"I know Sir...but...he..er, You what he's like?...keeps it all hidden then..." she struggled to keep the tears from welling. She felt responsible, guilty and that she had somehow failed Dempsey on top of that she kept replaying all the harsh words she had said to him since they arrived in Spain. Now Spikings was compounding all those feelings.
"Sometimes girl, you have to ignore the fact that Dempsey is a loudmouth irritating pain-in-the-arse-Yank and do your duty and work as a team. You know leaving him to get up to God knows what and with God knows who is not a reliable plan of action. Maybe, you could have talked some sense into him and got him home before he ended up in hospital. I now have to work out a way of explaining this debacle to the commissioner...and to top it all you're not even bringing back Hughes alive!"
"Yessir, sorry Sir" She whimpered
Spikings was just about to launch into another outburst when he detected the wobble in Harry's voice.
"Er are you okay? You're not crying are you?" he enquired carefully.
"No sir...I'm just tired and a little overwrought...that's all." She sniffed "Erm, they've asked me to sign a consent form, they need to operate on his leg...what should I do?" she asked in a childlike voice still playing with the cord in her fingers.
"Oh I see, that bad eh? " Spikings softened "In the absence of a next of kin, you will have to do it, I give my authorisation."
"And for the insurance?" she whispered.
"Don't you worry about that Harry, you have enough on your plate. I'll sort that out and arrange for Dempsey to be flown back as soon as he is able...er silly question, but are you flying back now or...staying by his bedside."
"I'm staying, he was so scared Sir and he couldn't understand the medical staff...I've promised him."
"Okay, okay...is he making progress?" said Spikings with concern.
"His temperature is coming down gradually, lord knows they've pumped enough anti-biotics into him."
"Sounds nasty, I'm even starting to feel sorry for him."
Harry managed a weak smile "Steady on Guv, we can't have both of us feeling sorry for him, we wouldn't want to inflate his ego even more than it already is."
Spikings smiled back down the phone "Take care of him Harry, keep me posted and oh Harry? Get some rest wil you? you sound awful."
"I will, bye Guv."
Gene and Alex back on English soil and to a heroes welcome! and Harry feeling guilty as hell (She has to make it up to Dempsey at some point ;-) )