Chapter #1: The Rough Elderly Ex Hooker and The Waning 70s Actor.
Gene is old enough to remember him in The Sweeney when women actually fancied his father in law and Beth Goddard was starring in a variety of detective and comedy dramas as a 70s-80s actress as all the years of smoking Camel cigarettes since the late 60s took effect on her. Gene finds out that this horribly ageing ex hooker woman is his long lost mother in law, out of the blue from his little sister Emily Joanna Hunt. The Guv remembers the last times he and his little sister Emily last saw her. DS Anthony Anstead learns the reason why his new boss has cut off Beth's side of his family and why he hasn't seen his violent father and mother in law for years.
"We're looking for Dennis Waterman lives in number seventy-five? That's his car," DS Anthony Anstead pointed out across the tarmac.
"Have you got keys to the flats?" Gene asked.
"No. Council social and private flats, ain't they? An' I couldn't go givin' 'em out even if I did." said the man turning back inside his front door and retrieved a bunch of keys.
"They were found this morning?" Gene asked. "When?"
The man shrugged and looked at his watch. "It were early. I'd only jus' got up. About…'alf six?"
"Did they say where they found them?" Gene asked.
Gene frowned, looking from the keys to the car, then up to the building that towered above them. A horrible feeling was growing inside him that all was not well. Nor Dennis Waterman or Beth Goddard were in at this time, when the Gene Genie's CID team goes knocking on their doors holding a warrant; he knows the elderly duo are probably at the pub getting lashed on a few pints of alcohol until it ends in tears, so they all head back to the station to do some computer admin and collating files for a while until Gene knows they're staying in.
Chris had seen Gene's Ford Granada Mk3 Scorpio around the station, and had admired it from afar, but he had never dreamed he would get to ride in it.
"Well he was more famous in the Eighties than he is now, unless you count the classic parody of him in Little Britain 'write the theme tune, sing the theme tune'." replied DC Chris Skelton opening up their I-Pad tablets checking up on work related e-mails and Gene handed him a sheet that had been printed out from a Microsoft Word document download.
"Good. Now, got a task for you Chrissy."
"Oh aye?" Chris said, sitting forward.
The man 11 years Gene's junior glanced down at it, then raised his eyebrows. "Me, Guv?"
Gene nodded. "May as well. Never know when there might be an opportunity. I think you're ready for it."
He e-mailed Chris the list of times for classes to study for his Inspector's exams and the I-Pad pinged on the e-mail icon, showing 1 new notification.
"Means you'll 'ave to do a bit extra office work – but I know you can manage it," Gene smiled.
""I will, Guv – thanks, I mean it... thanks, big dude..." Gene shrugged and smiled as usual, feeling proud of one of his younger colleagues as usual.
Elizabeth Jane Goddard
Born on 31st, March 1943 or 1953 in Colchester, Essex, England, UK
Age: Late 60s or early 70s.
Was known throughout the 1970s and 1980s in a variety of detective, period and comedy dramas, more recently the X-Men films. Once had an affair with Dennis Waterman during filming of a series 4 episode of Minder somewhere in 1983 and a possible encounter before during the mid or late 1970s during a The Sweeney wrap party after filming. Not much is known about her life since.
Gene and Emily attended their mother's drama school - The Artist's Theatre School - every Saturday as the Guv and his little sister wanted to learn about acting, the stage and how to present themselves on television, since they were members of the National Youth Theatre.
Lynda Bellingham on a newspaper's website mentioned an incident that happened with him one night at a wrap party after filming The Sweeney before storming off with Beth Goddard at the time.
DS Anthony Anstead asked about the Guv's little sister Emily and what was her connection to these ageing ex stars of British detective and comedy shows back in the day.
"Dennis is a jealous bitter twisted old man whose career may be on the wane and I'm guessing he doesn't like it that nicer people and more talented actors like John Simm and Philip Glenister are getting the parts he used to get, when I was a kid. My little sister Em says he either sees women as mates or slags and used to have a go at all of his wives, Beth Goddard included when he had a few." said DCI Gene Hunt remembering what his father in law is now like towards the modern 21st Century world especially in acting.
Gene looked across at him, from his relaxed pose leaning on the graphite grey roof "Alright, ain't it?"
Ray parked up outside the station and climbed out of his car slowly, transfixed by the cool future classic 90s Ford executive vehicle in the next space. "You kept that quiet, didn't you?"
Gene smirked. "And don't think for one second you're getting the keys, mate."
Gene Hunt can clearly remember the day they went to appear on Wogan and the coffee table had two jigsaw puzzles, Minder was fresh in the public's imagination and for duration of this particular chat show. While Waterman was talking to Wogan, he stopped what he was saying and said "Do you MIND? I am talking!" Waterman picked up the puzzle. She did not pull him up in the same way, just carried on talking to Wogan. A minute later, while she was still talking, he loudly shouted out "DONE IT!" brandishing the solved puzzle in triumph, totally interrupting - and ruining the talk show.
"Then I watched him and Beth Goddard when they appeared on Wogan once in the 1980s..." DCI Gene Hunt breaks his voice as he speaks of his memories of once famous parent in laws "I was only a child and in my teens at the time and knew nothing about abusive, controlling, nasty men. But I have detested father and mum in law ever since..."
"It's all over the interview..." DC Chris Skelton mumbles feeling nervous about dealing with Gene's parent in laws as he was the one of the two officers dealing with the recordings and transcripts "At least now I know why I've never liked Waterman in BBC's New Tricks."
I am not a chauvinist but I think women belong at home. Dennis openly admits on the cassette tape inside one of the Interview rooms. The trouble is that there are so many women nowadays who make false allegations of DV for the simple reason that they can do and get away with it. As a result, Mothers get support from the likes of Women's Aid, get a new life, new house, fleece the ex partner financially and so forth - all because of how easy it is to make false allegations. She gets legal aid, he (if he works) has to pay a fortune in legal costs. In the meantime, the real victim is left penniless, no contact with his kids, no support.
"He is literally a text book denier." replied DCI Sam Tyler looking at Gene's father in law's psychological profile "And it should be plastered over every paper as an example of how many abusers think about women (should not be intelligent, should not answer back, stand up for themselves, should be 'at home')."
"I have it from a good source what a nutter my father in law is towards women and people in general." said the Guv as this case shines a light on his ex sister in law's Hannah's relationship attitude and behaviour too. " always thought my father in law was a tosser, now I know!" he was fuming towards the whole historical domestic violence case. "A wife beating twat to boot!"
"And he was in a show called minder? Oh the irony..." complained Detective Inspector Alex Drake printing off all the photographs she can find on the ex hooker woman and former 1970s television star.
It was actually a violent, abusive pattern and there were times when he hit me. I became the object of his hate. It got so bad that he became abusive to me and my daughter, and the last time it happened I had to run out of the house in tears. A statement from one of Gene's father in law's ex wives. Dennis is actually quite Victorian in that way.
"It will be interesting to see if any more past lovers come out of the woodwork after this today." said DI Alex Drake at her slim desktop computer working away at this case and clearing any overdue crime reports "Not a fan of Loose Women but they were unaminous in their opinions of him."
"It was directed towards her daughter at the time, as well; which makes it even more disturbing. I would love to have been a fly on the wall while they were filming the final New Tricks episodes for Dennis Waterman. I'm willing to bet the producers weren't happy." said DS Ray Carling who has never liked Gene's more violent family members, even though some are now presumably elderly. "I hope this confession will have wrecked his career, he'll have to retire anyway as getting on for 71 years old!"
One of the Guv's earlier childhood memories is raspberry medicine and The Sweeney.
Ray stood back and nodded, a touch of jealousy creeping over him. His own car was good enough – he still loved his faithful old Capri, but the Granada Mk3 was something else. This machine was beautiful. "Must've cost you a bit, back in 1994." he commented, admiring the space age design and smoke effect fittings.
Gene shrugged. "Worth every penny. Get in Chrissy, I'll take you for a spin."
Gene took the car to its limits, and it felt as if they cornered on two wheels more than once especially with the power steering and auto transmission.
"No crime has ever gone unnoticed from us in this!" squealed DC Chris Skelton in excitement over the roar of the V6 engine.
Gene nodded, then reached down and pressed the radio on. Chris noticed it also had a cassette tape in it, had the ability to play compact discs and nodded appreciatively.
They arrived back at the station car park in a squeal of tyres as they skidded across the tarmac.
Chris had found actually working on a case far more satisfying than pounding the beat each day, sorting out petty squabbles, issuing ASBOs and just showing his face in the community. And, despite the ribbing his friends gave him, he did feel a bit more important in plain clothes.
The next Monday morning, Chris dressed in a clean shirt, his uniform and smart trousers, even knotting a tie and settling it under the long points of his collar. Then he pulled on his best top and a jacket. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror and reached into his pocket, pulling out his warrant card and flashing it to an imagined suspect. "DC Skelton – you're under arrest, on suspicion of... you do not have to say anything but anything you do or say may be given in evidence; which you later rely on in court." he said. Then decided he was being a bit too friendly. He frowned, tried again and made it firmer. That was better, he decided – sounded more like a CID officer should. He put away his card and straightened his clothing up, then heard his mum calling, so ran downstairs.
"Come on, Christopher, I've cooked you a proper breakfast, set you up for your day in CID," she gestured to the plate in his place at the table. His Dad was already eating, so Chris sat down and tucked in.
"Thanks Mum, it's great," he said, mouth full.
"You just be careful," his Dad said. "Sort of people you'll be goin' after now ain't what you're used to. Playin' with the big boys and girls now, Christopher."
Chris nodded, although it annoyed him slightly that his Dad still treated him like a child. He knew the risks of his work well enough.
Chris felt even more nervous than he had the first time he'd been in CID as he walked toward the door. He opened it and looked in to see a few people milling about, most with mugs of tea, various coffee types or hot chocolate in their hands, smartphones and computer documents on the go with their favourite crisps or chocolate bar.
"Hey, the Guv wants to see you, straight away," said DCI Sam Tyler at his neat and tidy computer suite.
"Skelton," Gene tunefully barked. "Come 'ere, 'ave this." He held out a small oblong of card which read 'This is to certify that Christopher Skelton holds the rank of Detective Constable. This is his warrant and authority for executing the duties of his office." He took out his warrant card and slipped it in front of his old one, stroking the plastic down over it.
"Thanks, Guv," he smiled.
Gene nodded. "stick with me, you'll learn that being on my team is the best place to be; DCI Tyler or I will show you how things work. In the meantime, find me a few chocolate Hobnobs and a cup of tea from the vending machine, right?"
Chris listened wide-eyed and nodded, then left to complete his first task for his new boss.
He was asked to bring Gene his tea and some of the McVities chocolate Hobnob biscuits.
Chris ate his bacon butty slowly, despite not really being hungry after his Mum's fry-up that morning, and watched as the Gene Genie licked brown sauce off his fingers; unfortunately DS Ray Carling had been picked on for being homosexual.
Gene was worried, but he didn't let it show. He knew Ray was strong, but he also knew his sergeant had a quick, fiery way of thinking. He had witnessed that when Ray had arrested the man who tried to insult them in the street.
Ray swallowed, and once the judge had warned Blanchard, he continued with his testimony, but he could feel his nerves beginning to show. When Blanchard's defence lawyer began the cross examination, he really felt the pressure. The man constantly made Ray repeat himself, making much of Ray's thick accent, which was all the more pronounced when he was under stress.
He took strength from the fact that Gene has always believed in his team and had fought for them. He knew he couldn't let his Guv'nor down.
Sam tapped a Subway sandwich "How do you like to earn some brownie points with the boss?" He had thought about Chris a lot, the young man was always on his mind as he was the mentor to him, and he always seemed to be around, bumping into PCSO Sharon Grainger or in the custody suite. Chris was growing up. No longer a skinny kid, he was now a young man - still slim, but more muscular.
In CID, it was your run of the mill stuff occasionally; full of files, computers, photocopiers, fax machines and white boards covered in case notes, the Greater Manchester Police staff intranet and photos, e-mails, IP addresses and things.
Will DC Chris Skelton flourish with DCI Gene Hunt's team?