Changes – Chapter 9
Sam And Annie Return Home...
The office was strangely quiet. Everyone with their own thoughts. No one had been home. No one had slept. The smog that filled the air showed how many cigarettes had been smoked to calm the nerves. The two empty Single Malt bottles hadn't helped make anything clearer either. The police Divers had found nothing. No sign of Sam or Annie, no clothes, no bodies. And where was the Guv? No radio communication since he'd left the scene of the accident. All police forces were on lookout for the Cortina. It, and the Guv had just disappeared. Nothing made any sense, to anyone.
"We should be getting back to Manchester" Litton broke the silence. "Hunt requested the film of the accident scene. I've put it on his desk" Bevan added "When did you go in the Guv's office? Who did you ask?" Carling snapped, standing up, knocking his chair backwards. He was irritated, tired. No one had any right to go in the Guv's office. "I don't need to bloody ask anyone" Bevan snapped back. Carling stepped towards Bevan. Litton stood up, walking towards Carling. Getting between him and Bevan.. "Ray, it's ok. Bevan meant nothing by going in Hunt's office. No harm done. We are as worried as you. Keep us updated with any news, however small" Litton understood what Hunt meant to Carling. The Guv's office was sacred to them all. Although Litton and Hunt had many differences. Litton wouldn't admit it, but he was worried too. Carling nodded, but had no intention of passing on anything. He didn't trust anyone at the moment. Bevan was last one to see the Guv, his Guv. Did Bevan have something to do with his Guv's disappearance? This rattled round Carling's head. Litton and Bevan left, leaving just Carling, Skelton, and Terry in the office. "What if the Guv's dead too?" Chris blurted out, almost in tears. "No one is dead!" Carling stated. But Chris had said what they all were thinking. Viv entered the office, slowly pushing open the swing door. Hoping to see the Guv sat in his office. Sam and Annie at their desks. "Any contact with the Guv? There's no sign of the Cortina." Viv asked wearily, sitting down, shattered. He'd not slept either. He was supposed to keep Super Mac updated with news, whatever time of the night or morning, but there wasn't any. Nothing... "Why the hell couldn't Tyler just wait? Not followed the blaggers. We all know the safest place to be is beside the Guv" Carling slammed his first on the desk, with some force. Making them all jump. His frustration obvious. "We can't just sit here, and wait. Terry keep trying to get the Guv on the radio. Come on Christopher, we'll go drive around a bit. Guv's old haunts. Back to the canal too."
It seemed a lifetime before the Guv told Sam, and Annie they could move from their uncomfortable positions on the back seat, and sit up. The Cortina slowed to a stop, and stalled. She'd done her last journey. "Where are we?" Annie asked shivering. Sam took off his jacket, putting it round her shoulders. Holding her close, he could feel her trembling. Sam gave her a tender kiss on her cheek. Ran his hand through her hair, brushing it off her face. They could both see a pub in the distance, which neither recognised. "Pub!" Guv turned round looking at them both. They both looked tired, and pale. Even the Lion was finding it hard to hold his emotions back. This was it. The end of the line for two people he loved very much. Even picky picky Sam he'd come to respect, and cherish as a good friend. Sam had taught him so much. Annie had totally surprised him, by being everything a CID officer should be, and a female! "This isn't our Railway Arms though" As Sam spoke, Nelson appeared outside the door to the pub, beckoning to them. Sam and Annie looked on in shock, but felt comforted by the sight of Nelson. There were two "pubs"! Two Railway Arms... "Come on, time for a pint" Guv got out of the Cortina, opening the back door for Annie to get out, followed by Sam. Nelson looked on smiling. He was pleased to see Mon Brave. Glad Sam and Annie would soon be together forever. "Come here" the Guv gestured towards Annie. The Guv wrapped his strong arms round Annie, rested his chin on her head. He could feel her sobbing. His heart was breaking too, but he had to be strong for them both. Annie held her Guv so tight. Somehow she felt comforted. The Guv knew this is why he existed in this strange world. It never got easier. Sam watched Annie and the Guv, realising what a mountain the Guv was. Just his being made everything all right. Sam's mind was racing, all the memories flooding back. The times the Guv had saved him, argued with him, beaten him up, but above all, always been there when really needed. Annie stepped back from the hug, looked at her Guv. "I'm so sorry, I'd... I'd brought you a present for... well for... but I lost it, back of the Granada" Annie tried speaking while trying to compose herself. The Guv lent into the Cortina, pulling a bag from the passenger seat. Annie beamed on recognising it. "That's it!" Annie exclaimed. "You best open it Guv" Sam grinned. The Guv opened the bag, pulling out a long dark wool coat. Black collar, and with the belt flowing as he tried it on, it fitted perfectly. The Guv's whole demeanour changed before them. He stood tall. His chest pushed out. His shoulders broader. The sad emotions went from his face. The ice blue eyes slightly damp, but smiling. He nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. Definite improvement on that old Camel!" The Guv smiled, kissed Annie on the cheek. Sam walked up to the Guv offering his hand. They both shook hands strongly, fondly, then hugged, taking them both by surprise. The Guv didn't do man hugs, did he! "You will always be my Guv, you know that don't you?" Sam stated, holding back tears of relief, and sadness. His time in Gene's world was finally coming to an end. It felt the right time now. Sam felt tired. Felt he had no more to give. And knew deep down someone else would soon take his place, which was the strangest of feelings. "You take care of each other. Go..." Guv said quietly, nodding. "Come on Mon Brave, I've just put new barrel on" Nelson opened the door to the pub. An eerie light shone out. A comforting light. "Nice to see you Nelson. How's the beer?" The Guv asked "Still the same" Nelson replied. "Shame!" The Guv exclaimed, laughing. "Not joining us Guv?" Annie asked. "Not this time Annie. Now Go... " The Guv watched Sam take Annie's hand, walk towards Nelson, and the open door. They both looked back to see their Guv standing tall, proud, brave as a Lion, watching them go... Then the Guv was on his own... again. He looked skywards, the piercing blue eyes moist, the strong jaw tight, clenched, holding back the emotions flowing through his very soul.
Hunt walked back towards the Cortina, he felt even she looked tired. Sam's jacket was on the floor by the back door. Hunt picked it up, remembering the day Tyler had walked into the main CID office. Hunt smiled. *a word in your shell like pal* So much had happened since then. None of it was to be regretted. Now to return to some sort of normality. Hunt had his story to get right. He sat in the Cortina,turned the ignition key, nothing. He'd known before trying, but wanted to give her one more chance. A phone call was needed. A favour called in...
Hunt put his foot on the accelerator. Pushing it to the floor. The tyres squealed in pure joy. He definitely had made the right choice of car. He'd been offered a Princess, but spotted the Queen of all cars tucked away at the back of the garage. Red, sleek, she just had that something. Something that Hunt knew would improve things immensely in this mad world. Hunt drove around, getting to know the new love in his life. Getting his thoughts in order. Getting his mind clear. He really needed a drink, a shave. Luigi's it was then.
"Mr Hunt, my god. We thought.. we thought you were..." Luigi exclaimed, shocked. Hunt cut him off mid sentence. "Well you know what thought did! A Gene Hunt measure of Malt, no, make that a bottle! Ok use flat for a shave? Phone Viv, tell him I'm here, and to let Carling know" Hunt didn't wait for any reply, heading up the stairs to the flat. "You maybe dead Mr Hunt, but a please would be nice" Luigi muttered under his breath. Within minutes Carling arrived with Viv, Chris and Terry. "Where's the Guv" Carling asked hurriedly, almost falling down the entrance steps. "Upstairs!" Luigi gestured. "He's OK?" Carling headed towards the flat stairs. "Leave him Ray, he'll come down when he's ready. He's obviously coming back down!" Viv pointed to the Single Malt on the usual corner table, grinning. "Pint for me Luigi. White man's fire water not for me" Viv chuckled. Everything suddenly felt better, knowing the Guv had returned. Maybe with some answers.
Hunt appeared striding confidently down the stairs. Everyone couldn't help but turn around, and look. A pin could be heard, had one been dropped. Hunt had changed. In stature, and looks. Gone the thug. Replaced by the guardian. They had all expected him to look tired, rough as a badgers arse if they were honest. After all he had been missing nearly 24 hrs. Hunt looked calm, assured, and different. Hunt sat himself down, poured a very large measure of Malt, and sank it in one. No one knew how to start the conversation. Hunt topped up his crystal glass again. Viv broke the silence. "Nothing was found by the Divers Guv. No trace of... " Viv's voice trailed off. He couldn't say those last words. "No witnesses have come forward, and the blaggers haven't been traced yet" Chris added. Hunt sank another Scotch. Hunt could see they were all tired, worried and shocked by the loss of Sam and Annie. He wanted to tell them, both were fine, and now where they belonged,together. Could he ever tell them? Hunt knew the answer to that, and that this was one secret that would be with him to the end. Would it destroy him? Only time would tell. "Oh for God's sake, I'll ask if no one else will. Where the f*k have you been Guv. What happened?" Carling blurted out with frustration. Hunt just stared into his Scotch. Finally Hunt spoke, quietly and coldly. "I came round the corner by the factories, there was the Granada on it's roof in the Canal" The Guv took a sip of his Scotch. Collecting his thoughts. He carried on. "No sign of Tyler or Cartwright, or anyone else." The Guv ran his fingers round rim of his glass. "I couldn't brake quick enough. The Cortina hit the wall" He could only look at his Scotch while talking. Eye contact with the others avoided. "Once Bevan had arrived to record the scene, I went to get the Cortina fixed. But she couldn't be repaired, so I went to another garage get some new wheels. Which are outside" "The Audi, nice one Guv" Chris said oblivious to any other detail in Hunt's story. Carling rolled his eyes at Chris, and shook his head. "Don't give me that crap Guv. You were gone for nearly 24 hrs. Why?" Carling snapped, sensing something didn't add up. "Look Sargent, are you accusing me of lying?" Hunt growled, and abruptly stood up to confront Carling. Carling knew he'd overstepped the mark. The Guv rarely called him Sargent. "No, but..." Carling knew he should drop the subject. Something wasn't right though. "I also needed some time to myself. We've just lost a good DI, and DC" Hunt growled, glaring at Carling. "They have names Tyler, and Cartwright. How do you know they're dead. We've not found any evidence. No bodies. No clothes. Nothing. Divers need to be sent back down. Extend the search" Carling shouted at Hunt. "Call it gut instinct. They've both gone. We all have to accept that, and deal with it" Hunt said in a matter of fact way "Luigi, another bottle of Malt over here" "Yes Mr Hunt" Luigi was already thinking there would be trouble tonight. Another bottle of Scotch for Hunt only added to those thoughts.
Several more pints, and Scotches were sunk. Chris, Terry and Viv decided to call it a day. They said their good nights, leaving Carling, and his Guv to keep drowning their sorrows. They were taking some drowning. "Couple them bastard big Cubans over here please Luigi, and another bottle of Malt" Hunt ordered. "Yes Mr Hunt" Luigi happy. He'd finally got a please. "Guv are you ok? You seem distant. Another place. Another world" "I'm fine Raymondo. Just trying to come to terms with all that's happened" And that, this time, was the truth, Hunt thought. Luigi delivered the cigars, and Malt. "I'm now heading upstairs Mr Hunt. I am closed. I am tired." Luigi sighed. "That's fine Luigi. We'll look after the place" Hunt grinned. "That's what I'm worried about" Luigi muttered, as he headed off upstairs. "I don't believe they're dead Guv. My instincts" Carling's speech was starting to slur. "Raymondo... Sam and Annie have gone to a far better place. One we all go to eventually" Flashbacks were returning to Hunt, some he understood, and feared. Others he could not make head nor tail of. Best thing when this happened, was to get pissed. Hunt raised his glass. "To Sam Tyler, and Annie Cartwright. Two of the best officers I've had the pleasure to work alongside" "To Sam and Annie" Carling raised his glass. Carling looked at Hunt he could see the emotions in his eyes. Carling knew his Guv was telling the truth about Sam and Annie, he could now see that. But why, and how didn't add up. Carling realised now was not the time to question his Guv more. Perhaps there was good reason no one else should know. The Guv doing his job, protecting those around him...
"One thing that's really bothering me Guv." Carling asked, now really slurring. "Go on" Hunt wondering what Carling was going to ask now. This late stage of the evening. "Did you go shopping? Shopping for Coats? That's a lot classier than the Camel!" Carling pointing to the coat on the seat next to the Guv. "Present from Annie" Hunt said without thinking. "Nice one" Carling said, sounding like Chris. Hunt hoped Carling was too pissed to try think out that last conversation. More Scotch was needed just in case...