I'm off again for a trip Down Under. Will take my lap top in case I get a chance to post more updates but might be a bit sporadic
ACC Hilton was found a couple of days later. There hadn't been a formal identification as yet, but he was found in his uniform and there was only one ACC missing in the country at the time.
A call came through to Kate that a body had been found as she was making her way in to work. She was still getting used to heading in to work alone after leaving Steve at home in his pyjamas and eating breakfast, but she was going to have to for the next couple of weeks anyway.
The location was familiar as soon as she pulled up and without seeing the body she knew where it would be- at the end of the jetty.
Picking up the phone she called Ted, who informed her he was on his way. Whilst she waited, she collected as much information as possible about the scene so it was already to hand when he arrived. It was a pain changing in to scene of crime overalls so she would only do it once the gaffer was here as well.
"No sign of a struggle, no evidence any one else was here, sir," Kate rattled off as Ted approached her.
"Suicide," he surmised. Kate disagreed although she didn't have the proof as yet.
"Well you might not recognise this location. But a body was found here, Oliver Stephens-Lloyd, a social worker trying to blow the whistle on child sexual exploitation," she reminded her boss. "His death was made to look like suicide too," she added. It was too much of a coincidence to be ignored. Ted stayed silent as he tried to piece everything together. "We know Hilton had been tipped off," Kate stated. They could thank Jamie for that. "He could have easily of made a run for it," she theorised.
"Or he knew the game was up," Ted argued. Hilton would have known he was finished. "Right. Who's in charge here?" Ted asked as he moved to talk to the forensics team.
When both Ted and Kate were suited in their white overalls, they finally crossed the inner cordon and headed to the body. ACC Hilton, sat huddled over a shot gun that was in his lap and still pointing at him. Blood was spattered all over his body.
The pathologist was there, busy examining the body as they arrived.
"That the fatal wound?" Ted asked, pointing to the blood.
"Most likely," the pathologist replied. "I'll have to get him back to the lab and get the uniform off to examine him fully before I say definitely,".
"Murder or self inflicted?" Ted asked. It was the main question that had to be answered and he was hoping the question could be easily answered.
"I'm not sure yet,". Damn!
"The barrel of the gun is very long," Kate noted. "Would it have been possible for the ACC to have been able to pull the trigger by himself?" She asked, still going with the theory he had been murdered.
"I can't say right now," the pathologist said. "I suppose he may have been able to pull it with his foot, but it's unlikely. I'm going to take some measurements and run it through a computer programme see if his wound placement is possible or not if self inflicted,".
Realising they weren't going to get anymore information right now, Ted and Kate headed back down the jetty and under the cordon tape. "Keep me updated, Kate," Ted said as he removed his overalls, and placed them in a bag before stalking off.
"Will do, sir," Kate replied as she did the same before heading to her car. She got in before pulling her phone out her pocket and phoning Steve.
Steve was sat on his armchair watching morning TV when the phone went. He picked it up and saw Kate was calling. She'd promised to call to see how he was getting on with his exercises and make sure he wasn't wasting the day before she left for work. That had only been two hours ago!
"I'm just about to start my work out, Kate!" Steve launched in without a greeting, guessing what she was calling about.
"That's good, but I'm not calling about that," Kate replied, and Steve relaxed back in to the chair. He could wait a bit longer before he started his new daily routine.
"What you calling about then? Miss me?" he asked.
"Idiot!" Kate replied with a roll of her eyes. "ACC Hilton has been found dead,".
"We were sort of expecting that," Steve suggested. He and Kate had talked about it a bit whilst writing up their report.
"Body dumped where the Sandsview social worker was,".
"Really?" Steve answered, his interest piqued at Kate's information. "Murdered and made to look like suicide?".
"Not sure yet. Pathologist will run a few experiments. Found shot with a long barrelled shot gun. I'm not convinced he could pull the trigger by himself, but no sign of anyone else being here. Gaffer thinking suicide the more likely option,".
"Guess we have to await the pathology report," Steve said.
"Yeah. It's just frustrating," Kate admitted. "Gonna be a long day though as I will be chasing around working on this latest development so might be late home,".
"Gotcha," Steve replied. "Maybe take away then, tonight? Let me know when you're on your way home and I'll phone our order through. Dinner will be ready by the time you get here,".
"Sounds like an excellent idea. Also plenty of time for you to get off your backside, out of that armchair you are currently sat in and do your strengthening exercises!" she ordered. Kate could hear the TV on in the background and knew exactly what Steve was doing.
"Yes mum!" Steve retorted. "Give me a break, it's only midmorning. You're not going to be like this everyday are you?" He asked, filled with dread. He felt like he was on some sort of boot camp.
"I did tell you I was going to be a nightmare. I will be stricter if you don't start putting some effort in," she warned her friend. "See you later," she said before hanging up.
Like she had predicted, Kate was indeed late home that night. She was exhausted from all the travelling she had had to do between crime scene and pathology and FI labs. On top of that she had had to visit AC-12 and update her notes on the case.
She was extremely grateful there was someone she was going home too who hopefully would have dinner ready when she walked through the door. It was so much better than getting back to an empty house and having to cook dinner from scratch.
"Hey," she greeted wearily as she entered Steve's flat, the pleasing aroma of their curries filling the place and making her stomach growl.
"Perfect timing," Steve replied. He was currently dishing up their meals and sides in his kitchen. "Sit down, mate. You look knackered,".
"I am," Kate admitted as she sank in to a chair at the dining table. Steve had already set the table and poured her a glass of wine and she took a sip, already beginning to unwind after her busy day.
She watched as Steve manoeuvred himself quite expertly around the kitchen now as he put things in the bin before bringing the meals out one by one. He was able to hold one plate whilst wheeling himself with the other. He had definitely made progress since he had first come home.
"Thanks, mate," Kate said as he placed her food in front of her before collecting his.
Soon they were both tucking in and talking about their days. Kate filled Steve in on the rest of her day before quizzing him on what exercises he had managed to do and how many repetitions he had managed to achieve. He was thankful his answers were satisfactory.
"You should have an early night, Kate, you still look exhausted," Steve suggested as they came to the end of their dinner.
"Think I will. Is it alright if I have a bath first? Just to unwind a little,".
"Of course," Steve replied. "You've got everything you need right?".
"Yeah, thanks," Kate said as she got up and headed to the bathroom via her bedroom. Steve watched her go before clearing the table and giving the kitchen surfaces a quick clean.
He was watching the TV when Kate reappeared a little later dressed in a pair of short silk pyjamas with an oriental design. Of all the different pairs he had seen her in since they had been flat mates, these were Steve's favourite.
Kate saw what Steve was watching on TV and liked the programme. She took a seat next to Steve and before long they were curled up together on the sofa, Kate's head resting on Steve's shoulder as they relaxed, the pleasant smell of Kate's coconut body lotion teasing Steve's nose. It had been a long time for each of them since they had had some adult company at home and they were enjoying it whilst they could.
They were disturbed from their evening by Steve's phone. It was his mum. Since he'd been at home his parents had been checking in on their son and Kate regularly and it was probably another social call.
Wanting Kate to continue to watch the TV, Steve unwrapped himself from her and got himself into his wheelchair before taking the call in his room. "How are the pair of you?" his mother enquired. Kate's well-being as much as a concern as her son's now, almost like a daughter-in-law.
"We're good, thanks, mum," Steve replied before mother and son had a good catch up.
"So you know your father and I will have been married for forty years this year," his mum started after a lull in their conversation.
"Yes, mum," Steve replied. "November 21st. I know," he continued, knowing it was her unsubtle way of making sure he knew how special the occasion was.
"We have decided to throw a little party for our friends and family. We wondered if you could come?" his mother asked. "It would be nice if you could give a little speech,".
"What sort of speech?" Steve asked worried. He wasn't one for speaking in public.
"Oh I don't know. Nothing too long. You could mention what wonderful parents we've been. That type of thing,".
"So you want me to lie?" Steve bantered. Winding his mum up was usually good fun.
"Very funny, Steven," his mum replied. "Do you think Kate would like to come along?" she asked, not rising to her son's teasing.
"I don't know. You can ask her if you like," Steve said. "Hang on a minute," he continued as he clamped the phone between his shoulder and ear, freeing up his hands to open his bedroom door and wheel himself to the living room. Steve stopped when he caught sight of Kate. "Err you might have to ask her another time, mum. She's fast asleep," he said quietly. Kate was indeed dead to the world, lying on her side across the length of the sofa, the arm rest acting as her pillow.
"Oh poor girl. She must be tired doing the work for two people whilst you are off,".
"Thanks a lot, mum," Steve said, feeling extremely guilty he wasn't at work.
"Well hopefully it will only be for a short time," his mum retorted.
"Yeah," Steve said, hoping the same thing. He still hadn't told his parents about the possibility of his long term mobility problems. He had talked it through with Kate and they agreed they would wait until they knew for sure it would be an issue before mentioning it to them.
"I'll let you go then, Steve. Love you,".
"Love you too, mum," Steve replied before hanging up. He wheeled himself over to Kate and sat in his chair studying his friend. She looked so peaceful lying there and he didn't know whether to leave her where she was for the night and place the blanket that currently rested on the back of the sofa over her, or wake her up.
Finally reaching a decision he leant forward and gently tucked an errant strand of hair behind her uppermost ear, softly saying her name as he did so. She had decided to try something different a couple of months ago and grow her hair long. It was now shoulder length and really suited her thought Steve, although he hadn't voiced his opinion. It wasn't something a platonic friend would do.
His actions roused Kate who stretched and yawned as she came to.
"Sorry for waking you," Steve apologised, "but I thought you'd be better spending the night in your bed. Your back wouldn't thank you for sleeping on the sofa and we can't have both of us with bad backs,".
"Thanks," replied Kate sleepily, as she rubbed her eyes trying to wake up enough to walk the short distance to her bed. Summoning up all her strength she sat upright before finally standing. She was still half asleep and therefore yelped in surprise when Steve tugged her down so she was sitting sideways on his lap with her legs dangling over the armrest of the wheelchair.
"What you doin, y'idiot?" she chastised him through a big yawn.
"If I could walk, I'd probably be carrying you to bed right now seeing as you are too tired," Steve said. "I can't do that, so I'm improvising," he continued.
Kate smiled at his sweet gesture and rested her head against Steve's chest, closing her eyes as she did so as he wheeled them out the living room towards their respective bedrooms. Progress was a little slow as Steve wanted to make sure Kate's feet didn't hit any furniture on the way. The narrow door frame was the most tricky part. "Why have we stopped?" Steve heard Kate mumble against his chest. Looking down, she still had her eyes closed.
"Very tricky navigating a wide load through a narrow passageway,".
"What do you mean wide load?" Kate asked as her eyes flew open at the alleged insult. "You calling me fat?".
"No!" Steve replied quickly. He'd been around enough women to not make that mistake. "Can you just tuck your legs a bit closer to the wheelchair and we should be able to get through. Kate did as a asked and soon they were in Kate's room.
"Thanks for the lift," Kate said as she tried to get off Steve's lap, which actually proved to be quite difficult. There was a lot of squirming as she made several attempts. In the end Steve helped her, worried that all her movement might cause him to get aroused which would be awfully embarrassing, but it had been quite a while since a female had been so close to his crotch.
Eventually Kate succeeded in getting to her feet and Steve was surprised to find he hadn't responded to her proximity at all. He was fairly sure he should be nursing at least a semi.
"Night, mate," Kate said sleepily, unaware of Steve's concern. She leant down and gave him a little kiss on his cheek before Steve reversed out the room.
"Night," he replied as he headed down the hallway to his room. After using the bathroom he settled himself in bed but couldn't sleep. What the hell was wrong him? Maybe it was just a one off?
Reaching down he took himself in hand and tried to pleasure himself but nothing happened. He knew he was quite uptight now which wouldn't be helping his problem, so he tried to relax by closing his eyes and thinking of something nice. Kate and her coconut scent came immediately to mind. He lay there for a while imagining his hand was Kate's hand but still he was completely flaccid when he gave up utterly frustrated.
Why the hell was his body so totally fucking useless?