The Bill: Corruption.

Chapter 7: Riverside Talks.

      Stephen Hodges had just reached the meeting place.  "Stephen," came the voice that was on the phone earlier, "how nice to see you again.  Long time no see huh?"

      "Yeah, I suppose.  So what's all this about Marion?  I'm supposed to be working."

      "Well I need your help in tracking somebody down.  They were taken to the hospital a few days ago after being the victim of a serious assault.  The problem is we have no idea which hospital he's been taken to and we haven't had much look in tracing it. … I was kinda hoping … with your expertise, you might be able to help me out here."

      "Who exactly do you want me to find?  I can't find them without a name you know?"

      "Yeah, I know.  His name is DS John Boulton, Sun Hill CID."

      At that Hodges had to fight himself to not break out in a fit of laughter, at which he failed, miserably.

      "What's so funny Ste?" questioned Marion, not understanding what was so funny.

      He bit his lip to try and calm himself down.  "Hmm, how can I search for someone when I already know where they are huh?" he explained.

      "You've found him? Where.  Where is he?" she asked in an excited rush.

      "Back at base, so what's your angle in all of this?"

      "I was called in to investigate the assault."

      "I thought AMIT was only called in to investigate a murder, and to my knowledge he's still alive."

      "Yeah, to tell you the truth I've got no idea why we've been called in on this; so what's your connection?"

      "Well I've been running an undercover operation in Sun Hill for almost a year now, but this wasn't quite the outcome I had in mind."

      "What outcome did you have in mind?"

      "I wish I knew."

      The two continued to talk for quite some time.  Back at CIB HQ John and Claire were discussing how they were going to get out of there predicament trying to make sure the other staff didn't hear the conversation.

      At Sun Hill the AMIT team was still trying to figure out what had happened and where John was, since there was no trace of him at the hospitals some of the officers were getting a little worried.

      "Do any of you guys want ta goo fer a drink tonight" asked Duncan Lennox in his Scottish accent, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

      "Yeah ok," some of them answered.  Most were to busy to even hear the question.

      Back by the river Stephen Hodges and Marion Raye were still discussing the assault on John Boulton.  "You've got to let me speak to him Ste;" said Marion, "it ain't gonna do my reputation any good, me not being able to talk to the victim."

      Hodges let out a huge sigh. "Mar, Ok, Ok, I'll let you speak to him if you promise no one will find out about it ok.  I've been working hard on this case for over a year now and I don't want it ruined now I've got this far."

      "Ok, but can I help, I want to be involved in this one too. Please Ste."

      "Are you sure that's such a good idea Mar?  I mean you remember what happened the last time we worked together right?"

      "It wasn't that bad.  It could have been a lot worse."

      "That's what I'm worried about but ok, you can help."

      The two headed back to CIB headquarters in silence.

      Back at Sun Hill DS Gary Whitehouse (from AMIT) was trying to contact his governor to see if she had come up with any new information, she had been out most of the afternoon and her mobile was switched off. Damn it, he thought as he tried her phone again, Still no answer; Where is she?