A/N: Totally sorry about the long delay, real life started interfering with my fictional lives unfortunately. But I'm back and I'll be updating regularly. Any British viewers will know that Andrea Dunbar is an undercover journalist and this may start to make more sense if you know that, then again it might not!
Tuesday morning dawned far too quickly for Samantha's liking. Between worrying about Abigail and thinking about Neil Manson she'd gotten about four hours sleep. Oh, well, that's what coffee was invented for.
She had come to some conclusions since her chat with Tony the previous day. Manson was directly to blame for Abi being hurt, he'd flouted the rules by taking her with them and, while he'd argue that he told them there wasn't enough time, it had been wrong of him to suggest Abi walked home just hours after being mugged.
And it was obvious Neil was going to cause trouble for Tony. There was no way of stopping him once he had his mind set on something, Eva's departure had proved that but... Hang on, Sam suddenly realised she'd never got the full story behind Eva leaving, perhaps there was something in that which would give her something on Manson. At the moment all she cared about was protecting Tony despicable nature, perhaps Eva would help her do that. Sam resolved to call her before the day was out.
Meanwhile she had the inquiry about Abi's shooting to deal with. Was it paranoia telling her she'd be getting the blame for this one?
Jim walked into CSU feeling content for the first time in a while. June's attitude towards him yesterday had cheered him up, they were still friends and that was good enough for him... for now anyway.
Sergeant de Costa was waiting for him at his desk. 'Morning, Jim.'
'Morning, Sarge,' Jim said chirpily. 'What can I do you for?'
'You're in a good mood,' she commented.
'Yeah,' he agreed thoughtfully. 'I am.'
'Right,' she smiled. 'Well, June Ackland's been looking for you, something about a Mr Jacques?'
Jim laughed. 'Right, thanks.'
Ramani noted his smile. 'Who's Mr Jacques?'
'Neighbour of a domestic,' he explained. 'Raving lunatic, June sent me round there yesterday afternoon.'
'Did he tell you anything useful?'
'I found out about every other person on the street,' Jim told her. 'But nothing about the Davies, nothing concrete anyway. I tried their house but no one answered, I'll try again this morning.'
'Well, June said she'd be in the Sergeants office for a while yet, I think she'd appreciate a catch up.'
'Not a problem,' Jim said relishing the opportunity to see June again. Perhaps he'd work up the nerve to ask her out for a meal or something.
'How's Abigail?' Manson asked the instant Sam entered CID.
'Fine,' she answered biting back a snide comment.
'Good,' he nodded. 'The DCI wants to speak to you about the incident.'
'Right.'
'Samantha, you do know it was an accident? I didn't know Lewis was gonna be there.'
If he thought she was about to protect him, he was much mistaken. 'I'll just tell him what happened, Guv.'
'Make sure you do,' he said before turning and walking off.
Sam slumped into her chair. Feeling the events of the previous day finally catching up with her. Manson probably had something up his sleeve, an ace that he would bring out to drop her in it at the worst possible moment.
Making a decision she picked up the phone and dialled.
'Knock, knock,' Jim walked into the office to find June alone doing some paperwork.
She looked up. 'Oh, hi.'
'Busy?' Jim asked.
'Not really,' she said putting her pen down. 'How did you get on yesterday?'
'Thanks for that!' Jim chuckled. 'He's a very talkative chap, isn't he?'
'How many neighbours did he manage to throw into the conversation?'
'Only two, I managed to make my excuses.'
'You were the lucky one,' June said. 'I think my count was about seven.'
'And you just thought you'd send me over there?'
'Yeah,' she smiled. 'What about the Davies?'
'Couldn't get an answer, I'm going over there now.'
'Make sure you see them, Jim. She needs to know she has options.'
Jim grinned. 'See? You do miss CSU!'
'Like a hole in the head! Dealing with Gary Best all day's better than dealing with you.'
'Ah, but can you cope with Gina Gold?' he teased.
'She's a pussycat really.'
'Bet you would say that to her face.'
'Tony?!'
'Hmm?'
'You're not listening to me, are you?' Gary complained.
'No, I'm not,' Tony agreed poking at his potato with his fork.
'What's up with you today?' Gary demanded.
'Nothing.'
'Oh, don't give me that! Is it about Abigail Nixon getting shot like that? Cos it'd shake anyone up.'
'Sort of,' Tony answered truthfully.
'Come on, Tone!' Gary said. 'We're mates, aren't we?'
'Course.'
'Tell me what's up then, I might be able to help.'
'I really doubt that, Gary.'
At that moment PC Andrea Dunbar sat down at the table cutting short their conversation, something Tony was grateful for.
'Tony,' she started without so much as a greeting. 'What've you done to the DI? He's asking all sorts of questions about you.'
He slammed his fork into the heart of his potato. 'Great.'
'What kind of questions?' Gary asked quickly.
'Weird stuff,' Andrea replied. 'Like how many times Tony took shouts with kids, had I seen him with anyone in particular.'
For once, Gary's mind had jumped to all the right conclusions and Tony braced himself as the young PC turned back to him. 'Tone, is that what's getting to you? Manson asking questions?'
'Why?' Andrea inquired. 'What's going on?'
'What, haven't you heard it on the grapevine?' Tony asked bitterly.
'Heard what?'
'A few years ago,' he spat. 'I was accused of sexually abusing a young boy.'
Andrea took this in slowly. 'But you were found innocent?'
'I was innocent!'
'But why's the DI raking it all up now?'
'It's because you helped out DS Nixon's daughter, right?' Gary put in quickly.
'That started it off again, yeah.'
'Don't worry, Tone. We'll sort it,' Gary insisted.
