Dead men walking

Tom stared at the imposing building in front of him as he steeled himself to walk back into what he now saw as a nest of vipers. He silently prayed Lloyd and Siân were safe.

"You ready?" Mared asked.

He nodded as the stared at each other for a moment.

"You?"

"Yes." Her voice contained barely restrained anger. "Once we're inside. Once there's proof that we are alive then he's not only going to look an idiot but questions will be asked. He's going to have some very awkward questions to answer. Least of all to me." She stated as Tom smiled slightly. They were both battered and bruised, both looked like they'd been through Hell itself and walked back out. He sighed.

"Cmon then." He smiled slightly. "Together?"

"Always." She nodded before stepping off the pavement.

Xxxxxxx

"Commendations. Smarmy git." Jacqui spoke to the computer. The cat meowed as Jacqui turned the computer screen to show them.

"Eh?" Lloyd was confused. "That's Evans. The butcher."

"I know. You wanted proof they knew each other. There it is. CCTV footage of them. I'll improve the images; have them printed out and sent to the Chief. The IPCC if necessary. We have proof." Jacqui smiled. Siân placed her mug in front of her.

"No."

"What?"

"It's still circumstantial."

"Siân."

"No idea what they were talking about. No witnesses brave enough." She rang a hand through her blonde hair. Jacqui peered over the top of her glances.

"Siân? Don't be a dick."

"Excuse me."

"When you dozed off I had a look at Evans' bank statement - with permission of his wife so yes, it's admissible. He was paid to take Mared. Look."

"Good God."

"A large sum of money ten minutes after her abduction enters his bank account. I can and I have traced the source."

"Prosser." Lloyd spat the word out. Jacqui nodded.

"We need to go." Siân was on her feet. "Diolch Jacqui. Honestly, you are a diamond."

"Go. Be careful." Jacqui ushered her out of the cottage with Lloyd just behind. She dug her fingers into lloyd's arm, making him pause. "She's a firecracker. Look after her."

"I will." Lloyd smiled slightly. "Thank you."

"Go."

He nodded, jogging down the path to where Siân stood. She raised an eyebrow.

"Pam?"

"Eh?"

"What was that about?"

"Oh." Lloyd smiled slightly. "Warned me of wild Welsh women. Come on." He got in the drivers side of the car as Siân pulled a face.

"How does she know about Delyth?"

Xxxxxx

The front entrance of the station was unmanned, allowing them both to slip through into the staff only area. Mared could feel her pulse racing as she jogged up the steps towards the CID office. Tom was directly behind her as he followed her up the steps.

"Oh my Bloody Nora!" Delyth snapped as she saw them leave the staircase. Mared smiled. "I knew it!"

"Hi." Mared smiled.

"Not dead!" She hugged the detective sergeant. "I bloody knew it!"

"Hi," Mared winced as she hugged the dark haired woman back. "Don't tell everyone, not yet."

"What about Lloyd? Siân? Do they know." She looked from Mared to Tom and back. "Do they?"

"Yes." Tom answered. "Is he back?"

"Prosser? No."

"Good." Tom smiled slightly as Delyth raised an eyebrow.

"You look like death. Both of you. What the Hell happened?"

"Attempted murder tends to do that to you. If you see him, tell him he has a couple waiting in his office. Don't tell him it's us." Mared bit her lip.

"Couple?"

"Just do it, ok?"

"Ok." Delyth smiled as they walked off. She'd never trusted her senior office - he played politics too well. Now she hoped he'd get his just deserts.

Cccc