Chapter 22: Sort Out The Mess.

They were silent the whole way back and arrived at CIB HQ at about 10am.  When they entered the building, it was clear that the whole station was in chaos.  The team wondered what would be best to do next.

After they had all had a big discussion about it, Stephen Hodges set up a team to suspend the whole of Sun Hill CID, to see if they could get any information on Beech's current whereabouts.  It was the only way to ensure that he did not slip away considering he has so many mates there.

The team arrived at Sun Hill and proceeded to tell them all that they are suspended until further notice.

The CID staff was both shocked and surprised by this and was not at all happy about it.  They had an even bigger shock, later on, that day when John and Claire walked freely into the pub that they were drowning there sorrows in.

"John, Claire, where have you been for the past few weeks?  We've been looking everywhere for you," said DI Deakin.

"Busy," answered Claire.

"A proper answer would be nice Claire."

"Well if you really must know, I've been chasing the guy who beat up John last week and before you ask, I can't say who that is so don't bother to ask."

"Why can't you tell us Sarge?" asked Duncan.

"Because it's classified information," said Marion walking up behind them all, "Should you two be out here on your own?" she asked turning to John and Claire.

"Probably not," said Claire, "I was just picking up the informant's register and I popped in to see how everyone's doing.  Well I suppose we'd better get back, are you coming?"

"Yeah."

The three left the pub and headed back to CIB HQ to discuss what had been found.

After the meeting, Stephen Hodges sent everyone out to talk to Beech's informants, to see if any of them had heard from him in the past few months.  All but one had not heard from him in months and Stephen and Marion are busy interviewing him now.

"Where is he?" demanded Stephen.

"I don't know," said the informant.

"That's not good enough, now where is he?"  Stephen tried again.

"All I've heard is that he's planning to go to Australia.  He might already be there for all I know."

"Is that all?"

"Yes; I swear, if I knew anymore I'd tell you," whimpered the informant.

"Now that wasn't too hard was it?" asked Marion before they headed out the door into the corridor leading back to the main office area.

"Ok," said Stephen to the officers gathered in front of him for the progress meeting.  "We've discovered Beech is planning to go to Australia.  We don't know when or where exactly so, Jed and Chris, you get onto the airports and get details of all flights to Australia within the last few days; John and Claire, similar thing, check for flights going out today or in the next few days; I'll interview the rest of Sun Hill and the rest of you carry on with what you've been doing.  Ok folk's that's it.  Get on with it."

Everyone got to work on his or her tasks.  Claire got in contact with the airport to check for flights to Australia.  There was one due to depart Heathrow airport in 7 hours time, and so she informed Hodges of what she had found.

Even though it was a long shot with no evidence of Beech even attempting to flee the country, they set up an ambush.  They were lucky and Beech was at the airport attempting to board an aeroplane but, unfortunately he was wearing a disguise, so the CIB officers didn't realise it was him until after the plane had left for takeoff.

Out of luck and tired, the CIB officers returned to headquarters to work on a new plan.  It would not be easy with Beech in another country; they would have to go over there after him.

The End.

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Author's Notes.

That's it;  all complete; but don't worry, there will be a sequel called Beech in Australia, so look out for it.  I aim to have the first chapter up within the next few weeks but I can't guarantee it.  Thanks ever so much for all your reviews.  I couldn't have done it without all of your encouragement.  Also for anyone who is interested, I got the idea for the character Marion, from fan fiction wrote about the new characters of the x-files (i.e. Monica Reyes).  It seemed to work perfect at the time.