Chapter 21
The four officers made their way down the busy street towards the Jericho quarter of Oxford. The conversations were free flowing with all thoughts of work forgotten. Gentle ribbing, jokes and laughter filled the cold air as they walked, slightly swaying, onwards. The snow had made its entrance, large luminous chunks danced and jived in the street lighting, but they didn't care or notice.
"Gene , take your tie off, we're going to a night club." Alex motioned
"Don't mither." Gene gently berated her.
"Well you look, well starchy." reasoned Alex
"Starchy?" quizzed Gene as he made to remove the tie.
Frustrated at his lack of haste as he fumbled with the knot Alex said "come here." She deftly unknotted the tie, unbuttoned his shirt a couple of holes revealing his necklace and stuffed the tie in her handbag. "That's better" she smiled patting his lapel "Less starchy."
At the end of the street they turned right and continued their journey to the club. The street buzzed with students in various states of inebriation, large groups making their noisy way to their next drinking hole. Dempsey scanned the right hand side of the road for the club, finding his destination he crossed over. Large columns framed the entrance to the bar with a set of well worn stone steps leading up to the doorway. The club was a restaurant by day and a bar by night, situated in a converted church. The detectives handed their tickets over and breaths were taken away as they entered through the large door, eyes wide they stared at the murals on the walls, the statues standing proud on various plinths and stained glass. It was a church with a bar. At the far end of the vast room was a stage where the band was warming up. Gene and Dempsey fought their way to the bar where on reaching it had a drinks menu thrust at them. Dempsey studied the bewildering list of cocktails, unable to make a decision, he turned to Gene "Start at the top I guess. Four long island iced teas please." He leant towards the barmaid pointing.
Gene frowned at the glass of liquid as Dempsey handed it to him. He sniffed it suspiciously before knocking back a mouthful.
The officers took their seats at a table just as the band started up. The long island iced tea was followed by a screw driver (the next on the list) then by a tequila sunrise and a fuzzy navel. Alex and Makepeace were enjoying the brightly coloured concoctions as Gene was somewhat dubious fishing out various types of fruit out of his glass. As the band struck up another song Dempsey jumped to his feet holding his hand out to Makepeace. "Dance Harry?"
"Why not, I love this tune."
Dempsey eagerly led her to the dance floor, wrapping one arm around her waist he clutched her hand with his. Harry wrapped her arm around his shoulders as she started to sway along to the music.
"I would ask you to dance but I hate jazz" Alex stated
"Me too. It sounds like five musicians playing five different tunes. Do you think 'es slipping her one?" Gene asked Alex tipsily
"Gene!" Alex chided "It's clear they have a connection." She giggled as they watched Dempsey twirl Makepeace around, both SI10 officers laughing. "When I was in the SI10 offices yesterday I heard they are running a book as to when they will get it together." Alex grinned warmly at Gene "Do you think our lot are running a book on us?"
"And why would they be doing that Bolls?" Gene smirked knowing full well that there was indeed a book running throughout the station.
"Well, It's just that after our urm acting in the alley, it might have set tongues wagging." She slurred coyly.
"Dunno Bollykecks." He grinned back, enjoying Alex's discomfort, "It's your round." He stated as he drained the last of his cocktail. "What's next on the list?" he pointed at the drinks menu.
Alex lazily picked up the menu "hurm, sex on the beach."
"Not right now tar Bolls, can't be doing with sand up me crack tonight."
Alex chuckled, her eyes sparkling in the dimmed light. "I'm not partial to it either, sandy knickers aren't my idea of fun."
She rose from the table unsteadily and made her way to the bar. Gene stared after her " I didn't say I wouldn't be up fer it someday." He chuckled to himself.
Makepeace laughed loudly as Dempsey spun her a little too forcefully, her legs being as steady as jelly, she lost her balance and fell into him. Still clinging to him she laughed into his shoulder. Dempsey loving the feeling of her in his arms pulled her closer to him and laughed along with her. This was as close as the pair had ever been. Dempsey felt he was finally melting his ice maiden. Makepeace lifted her head still giggling like a schoolgirl. She stopped when her eyes met his. She studied him intently and for the briefest of seconds she thought she might kiss him. She was interrupted by Alex staggering towards them, trying to hold two cocktails steady a she practically tripped up onto the dance floor. "Shex on tha breesch!" she yelled drunkenly over the music handing the SI10 officers their drinks. She then turned and tottered back in the direction of Gene.
Roly Cavendish gingerly approached the Glitter club still clutching Simon's envelope. He silently prayed that his friend had made his escape and he was now safe. Little did he know that Simon was in a hospital bed, wired up to a ventilator and various other machines, with a police guard by his door. As he was nearing the entrance a hand shot out and grabbed him from behind. Roly yelped in surprise as he was forcefully bundled through a side door.
"Shut up and keep walking." hissed a gruff voice
Roly obeyed as he felt the cold steel of a gun barrel pressing his cheek. Roly was shaking with fear and now his prayers had turned to his own safety. Roly found himself in the long corridor at the back of the club's snug area. He didn't dare turn to look at his captor, he quietly did as he was told.
"In here." barked the voice
Roly was shoved roughly through the door into the private gamming room.
Sat at the card table wearing a stony expression was Liam Daly.
"Sit down." Daly ordered Roly. "I believe you have something of mine?"
Roly sensed the gun still pointing at him, now aimed at the back of his head, he handed Daly the package.
Daly emptied the contents onto the table and studied the photographs. "Interesting. Who'd have thought it, cops."
Roly said nothing, but stared at his fingers nervously.
"Looks like our right honourable Simon Hughes has come up trumps this time," He chuckled sneeringly to his accomplices. "and where is the snivelling little turd?"
"I don't know Mr Daly." answered Roly truthfully, he really didn't have clue. All he knew was that Simon had left the country, in theory.
"Don't lie to me dick head." snapped Daly
"Really...I don't. David arranged for him to go away...I don't know where." He whimpered "He just asked me to give you that...I don't know what it is about."
Daly grinned, he enjoyed having power over people and watching them squirm.
"Have you looked at this?"
"No honest." Roly squeaked
"Get him out of here." Daly barked, he didn't have time to waste with idiots like Roly. Roly was lifted from his seat and escorted out of the room. As he made his exit he overheard Daly say to Smith "Are we all set for tomorrow's shoot?"
"Yeah Liam, best film yet." Smith laughed dirtily
"Good. Time to teach those bitches a lesson they won't forget."
All four officers staggered out of the club. With fresh, slushy snow covering the footpath, walking had become a challenge. As Makepeace's heel connected with the icy concrete she slipped sending her crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. She sat on the road laughing uncontrollably, tears rolled down her cheeks as alcohol had taken over. Dempsey laughing at her misfortune took pity on her and offered her his hand. He helped her up, brushing the snow off her backside.
"Now that was a stupid thing to do." He chuckled "Come on I'll give you a ride." He indicated that Makepeace jump on his back.
"You've got to be joking." Squawked Makepeace swaying. Against her better judgement she took him up on his offer. At the third attempt Dempsey managed to hoist her onto his back and secured her legs.
"Hold on!" exclaimed Dempsey as he shot off down the road swerving and diving shouting and chortling as he went.
"Dempseeeeeeey!" laughed Makepeace hysterically
"Now who's behaving like teenagers." slurred Gene. As he watched Alex slip slopping along the path, trying desperately not to go the same way as Makepeace , he couldn't help himself "Come on yer daft mare." He looped his arm round hers firmly anchoring her and led her back to the hotel.
Roly made his way warily home. He had a sense he was being followed 'It's just paranoia Roly boy.' He kept telling himself unconvincingly. As he reached his front door he checked over his shoulder for the hundredth time and hurried into his house.
The four detectives were now in their respective rooms, Alex and Makepeace in theirs, Gene and Dempsey next door. All were making ready for bed. Gene studying a door next to the bathroom said to Dempsey "Is this a connecting door do ya think?"
Dempsey appeared by his side and tried the handle. He put his ear to the woodwork to listen "Guess so. Pick the lock and find out."
"Gene Hunt does not pick girly locks." Gene puffed
"Since when were locks girly?" puzzled Dempsey
Gene shrugged "Can you pick locks?"
"Sure." Dempsey set to work on the offending lock, within seconds the door clicked open.
Gene peered through the gap.
"Good view?" asked the leftenant craning to get a better look
"It certainly is." Gene could see the girls getting ready for bed, chatting away like old friends.
Dempsey kneeling on floor opened the door a little wider and was rewarded with the same sight ,
"Hey eyes off the blonde." Joked Dempsey
"I'm not looking at yours I'm looking at mine. Still haven't found out if she's a C or D cup."
"I think I'm going to have a bruise on my bum." Makepeace slurred rubbing her backside
"I'm sure Dempsey will rub it better." Alex slurred back "Hang on." She said puzzled as she spotted the ajar door.
She walked over noticing two pairs of eyes peering through the gap. She swung it fully open finding two guilty looking colleagues. "How long have you two been there?" she said accusingly
"Wasn't my idea I was just helping DCI Hunt with his investigation." Defended Dempsey
"Don't give me that, you're just as guilty, Gene doesn't pick locks so it must have been you." Alex was trying to sound harsh ,but she couldn't be angry at them.
"You two..." Makepeace waggled a finger at them hand on hip, swaying "Are in cahoots. You have been all night. Childishhhh children...naughty boys."
"We just wanted to say goodnight. Make sure you had everything you needed." Offered Dempsey
"Well goodnight Leftenent." Makepeace sang as she started batting Dempsey back through the door.
Gene stared at Alex "Are you wearing anything under that dressing gown?"
"No, you?" Alex grinned cheekily
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours." Gene flirted
"In your dreams." Alex purred, fire dancing in her brown eyes, as she fixed Gene's
Gene wished at that moment that Dempsey and Makepeace would disappear in a puff of smoke leaving the two of them alone...but then he wouldn't be able to resist the urge of jumping on her. Alex could only think that she could just reach out and undo the fabric tie of his bath robe and snogg him senseless there and then. She inwardly sighed 'no chance of that then'.
"And you...out...goodnight we will see you both in the morning..." the spell was broken as Makepeace shoved Gene back through the door in the same fashion as she had her partner.
Once the door was shut the two female offices slumped to the floor with their backs to the door, laughing softly together.
"You've to give them ten out ten for trying." Alex commented
"Hmmm yes very trying." chuckled Makepeace.
I know..a bit of a silly chapter, but it's back to the grit and grime of the story next.
Sorry, I couldn't have them jumping into bed, Makepeace is far too sensible for that lol
Thanks for reading QQ