"Mike! …... Mike!" Brian said standing next to Michael outside Gordon's office. "Are you ok?" Brian whispered. Michael seemingly distracted but eventually nodded his head. "I have been trying to talk to you for five minutes!" Michael shrugged and Brian continued. "What is going on with you? You have barely spoken since we came back from Callander!" Michael remained silent and Brian was starting to get annoyed. "Now were going to face Gordon and Jamieson, and you are out here .. what..daydreaming?!"
"Listen, I am sorry!" Michael conceded. "this...this is starting to get to me!" Michael said rubbing his forehead.
Brian exhaled loudly, he had noticed Michael's once sharp demeaner had changed to dishevelled, wrinkled suits and dark circles around his eyes "Well I can see that you're not sleeping!" Brian looked at Michael sympathetically. "When was the last time you slept more than a couple of hours?" Michael shrugged leaning back against the wall.
"Before we knew she was missing!" Michael conceded. "It's not just lack of sleep Brian, after seeing the Callander house, knowing what Skinner did to her!...I just." Brian placed his hand on Michael's arm.
"We will find Jackie!" Michael shook his head. "We can finish what she started!" Brian said determined.
"At what cost?" Michael shrugged avoiding looking at Brian's face. Brian was taken aback unsure of what to say, he leaned back against the wall next to Michael, taking a deep breath.
"you think she is dead, don't you!" Brian whispered; Michael shrugged in response. Brian continued "i know you are disappointed that Callander didn't turn up anything useful, but we still have leads!" Michael nodded half-heartedly, before standing straight seeing Gordon moving towards his office door.
"Right gents come in!" Gordon smiled. As Michael and Brian entered the room, Jamieson noticeably was already sitting comfortably in the seat across from the CS's desk. "so you didn't turn up anything in Callander then?"
"No sir!" Brian answered as Michael stood silent.
"but Jackie was there, right? That's what Tom was just telling me!" Gordon replied. Michael looked immediately to Jamieson a feeling of anger bubbling inside of him.
"yes sir, we believe so, Skinner's murder appears to be linked to Chris's death and Jackie's disappearance!"
"It's likely she killed them!" Jamieson stated.
"yeah that's why her blood is everywhere!" Michael muttered snarkily under his breath.
"What was that Mike?" Gordon asked annoyed and Jamieson grinned.
"What Mike, is saying is that we believe Jackie has been severely injured and is likely another victim!" Michael nodded.
"I'm sure DCI Jardine can speak for himself!" Jamieson said smugly.
"Ok, I don't believe Jackie could kill anyone!" Michael said firmly. "In any case we found evidence from the warehouse that she was being tortured along with Chris!" Michael stated taking a deep breath, he could feel the tightness in his chest. Michael turned his back on them reaching in his top pocket for his spray, taking a deep breath, he caught Brian's eye. Brian immediately stepped forward diverting a attention.
"Mike is right, Jackie is a victim here!" CS Gordon looked to Michael who hadn't turned around. Brian continued. "We need full access to all files relating to Skinner's murder!"
"I would have thought you were more interested in finding your girlfriend!" Jamieson smirked. Brian was taken aback by his attitude.
"I am interested in finding who killed two police officers and is trying to kill a third, aren't you?" Brian looked to Jamieson then to CS Gordon. "Sir?"
"I'll see to it you get full access to the files Brian, Michael?" CS Gordon responded. Michael eventually turned around the colour drained from his face; he slipped his spray into his jacket pocket. "Michael,…. I appreciate how hard you have been working on this…. but why don't you take the rest of the week off!" CS Gordon stated a sympathetic look on his face.
"sir, I need to find Jackie! I'm fine!" Michael responded; his breath heavy.
"Brian and Tom can continue the investigation, and you can pick up fresh next week! It's just a few days off, catch up on some sleep! You need it!" Michael looked to Brian who nodded in agreement.
"ok sir, thank you!" Michael reluctantly agreed.
"Right gents, I want another briefing tomorrow! Michael go home!" CS Gordon stated.
"yes sir!" Michael stated as he walked out of Gordon's office. Brian followed Michael to his office waiting until he closed the door to ask.
"What was that spray?" Brian said annoyed.
"it's medication" Michael said glibly as he opened up his desk drawer picking up his wallet.
"for…" Brain continued, his tone annoyed.
"Angina!" Michael whispered.
"you have angina, and you didn't think that was something I should be aware of!" Brian stated annoyed.
"I'm sorry, I thought it was under control!" Michael stated.
"I'm surprised Jackie didn't tell me, she worries about you, you know she spends most of her time talking about you!" Brian smiled.
"She didn't know, I never told her!" Michael said flatly.
"Why?" Brian was shocked taking the seat across from his desk.
"I didn't want her to worry!" Michael shrugged as he sat on his chair. Brian scoffed.
"What?" Michael said annoyed.
"you didn't tell her something important as not to worry her and she was keeping secrets from you so you wouldn't worry about her! Sort of perfect!" Brian smiled and there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Michael yelled. Robbie appeared from behind the door. "Hi Robbie!"
"How did it go with Gordon?"
"Fine, em he has given me the rest of the week off!"
"WHAT?" Robbie uttered loudly.
"It's fine, to be honest Robbie, I could do with a break. I'm too close to this now!" Michael said, breathing heavily.
"And what's Jackie supposed to do in the meantime, she is out there getting tortured, and you want a holiday!" Robbie said annoyed.
"ROBBIE!" Brian scolded. "You, Stuart and I can hold the fort and continue the case! Mike needs a rest! And you know fine well, that if Jackie were here, she would be fuming if she saw how sleep deprived Mike is!" Robbie stopped and looked at Michael seeing how terrible he looked. Michael was embarrassed but he knew how he looked.
"Ok you are right, sorry!" Robbie stated.
"you both need to be careful around Jamieson! I can't prove he's involved but I know he is!" Michael stated.
"What about Gordon?" Robbie asked, "giving you time off now, bit convenient?" Michael nodded.
"He is either involved or being manipulated by Jamieson, just be careful!" Brian and Robbie nodded in response. Michael got up picking up his Jacket and putting it on "Brian feel free to use my office! If you need me, I will have my mobile, but I think I will go to Ian's for a few days try clear my head"
"Take care Mike!" Brian said as Michael left the office.
"Is he ok?" Robbie turned to Brian.
"I hope so!" Brian responded.