The Bill: Corruption.
Chapter 9: Stranded.
On the ride home they both thought about what they needed to do to get the evidence needed to lock up Beech.
"The others aren't gonna be too pleased about you disappearing off all day Mar."
"They'll survive. Besides I was working so they can hardly say I was skiving off; not that any of them would dare to say that to my face though." Just then the car stopped.
"What ya do that for?"
"Do what Mar?"
"Stop the car so suddenly like that?"
"I didn't, the damn thing's playin' up again. Stupid car, looks like we're stuck!"
"Typical. So what do we do now?"
"Well I'll call the AA and get it fixed. In the meantime, we're stranded. Hope you weren't in a rush to get home?"
"What, to flick through boring TV channels all night? I don't think so. At least I'm not stuck on my own."
"You can say that again."
With that, Stephen Hodges called the AA and gave them the details. They said they would be there as soon as they could but it that it might be some time because they are dealing with an accident on the other side of town. Stephen relayed the message to Marion.
"So what are we gonna do Ste?" asked Marion.
"You tell me Mar; I haven't got a clue and it's freezing out here."
They looked around themselves and out of the corner of her eye, Marion spotted a café.
"Hey I know Ste, lets go wait in that café over there, it will be warm and we can get something to eat and we can see when the AA come if we sit by the window."
"That's a good idea Mar, lets go then."
They walked into the café and up to the counter to order something to eat. They then sat down at a table near the window with a clear view of the street outside.
"So how are you going to explain about you disappearing all day to Sun Hill without telling them we've found John?"
"I've got no idea. As soon as they know I've found out where he is they're gonna keep pestering me until I tell em."
"You can't tell em Mar, it could be life threatening."
"You think I don't know that? What can I do?"
They ponder over this for a while.
"I know, don't show up at Sun Hill tomorrow. They can't pester you if they don't see you right?"
"You know what Ste … that sounds like a good idea; of course I'd have to call Whitehouse, Say I got a lead and am checking it out so won't be in or something."
"Who's Whitehouse?"
"The other member of AMIT assigned to the case, he's a bit of a loose cannon but he isn't that bad."
Several hours passed before the AA finally arrived at 1am. "Oh finally," said Hodges, "You know I was planning on getting in early this morning but I've got no chance now. I need more than four hours sleep."
"You're not the only one Ste. Come on, let's hope it's easy to fix yes?"
"Yes."
They left the café and went outside to speak to the AA men. "What's the damage?" asked Hodges after the car had been inspected.
"Burst pipe," the man answered, "this vehicle's going nowhere. In fact I suggest it be taken to a garage."
"Great we really are stranded. No buses till morning either."
"There's a hotel round the corner isn't there? We could stay there until morning then get the bus to work. Neither of us has got much chance in getting home tonight."
"That looks like the best option at the moment Mar," he says before thanking the AA men and asking them to tow the car to the garage. They then empty the car and head towards the hotel.
Back at CIB HQ John and Claire, were sitting in the residential suite with a plate of biscuits and a steaming cup of coffee each discussing what they were going to say to Hodges in the morning?
"He is so going to throw a fit."
"Not if he does not know Claire, we could just make something up."
"Like what? He was suspicious the other morning so this morning was just the icing on the cake and he is in CIB remember he will see right through it."
"I suppose so what are we gonna do then and who was that he was speaking with today. I know it was said that she's with AMIT but those two defiantly know each other what's the connection."
"I haven't got a clue what to do and as for the connection your guess is as good as mine. The first time I saw her was the day you was in hospital and if we don't get some sleep we'll never be up tomorrow."
With that, the two settled off to sleep in each other's arms.