Following the death of Abi Nixon at the hands of Hugh Wallace, Samantha shame-facedly departed Sun Hill, unable to accept that once again she had been duped by a man she quite obviously and openly trusted.
DI Manson was secretly pleased, he'd viewed Sam as a threat since he'd taken her job. Now, as he arrived at work in the semi-darkness of the mid-autumn morning, he smiled to himself at the prospect of a new detective sergeant to torment and degrade.
Meanwhile, in the CID office, there was already a buzz about a new officer arriving.
"Some bloke called Shawn", Said Gary almost disappointedly
Debbie's eyes lit up, she spied an opportunity to flirt with an unsuspecting newcomer in a vain attempt to make DCI Jack Meadows jealous after their recent night of passion had resulted in her being blanked.
Whatever they'd been anticipating it wasn't what they got, as through the door strode Shawn McKinley.
There was a simultaneously clatter as both Debbie and Gary's jaws hit the floor, for there before them stood, at 5'10", the form of one who would probably fit better into the pages of a glossy celebrity magazine.
Gary tripped over his feet to greet the newcomer
"DC Gary Best" He beamed
"DS Shawn McKinley" She replied cautiously, looking down to him
"You're the new DS?!" Blurted Debbie, unable to contain her surprise
"Yeah" Shawn replied casually
"Welcome to Sun Hill" Gary smiled stupidly
"Thanks" She said in a dark sarcastic tone, which went unnoticed by the growing crowd
"Get to work, this is a police station not a school yard" Snapped DI Manson as he sauntered into the office
Rather than stay around to meet his new charge, Neil headed straight for his corner room. Shawn followed Gary as he led her to Samantha's sparse desk.
"Hmm, cosy" Hissed Shawn sarcastically as she took a seat
"Phil Hunter" A hand appeared over her computer screen
"Yeah, hi" Said Shawn, shaking his hand briefly
DI Manson came out of his office to make a cup of tea, spying the locks of impeccably groomed blonde hair, he smirked to himself
"Fresh meat" He thought
Blonde and female, an obvious target for his dislike of women in CID. He wandered over, smiling inwardly.
"Good morning" He muttered half-heartedly
Shawn turned round to face him
"Neil" She said, matter-of-factly before turning back
"You?!" He hissed, storming off back into his office