Chapter Four
Back at the hospital, Smithy hadn't come back, so Gary went looking for him leaving Honey with Charlotte.
"Hey Char." Honey said to Charlotte's still figure. "Well, you certainly know how to scare us. We have been worried sick and Smithy hasn't left your side. I was so worried when Gary told me. I wanted to come straight down here, but Gary convinced me not to. Come on Char, you have to wake up. For my sake, and Smithy's and Gary's and everyone's. You're my best friend and I don't know what I'll do with out you. Please get better for me. CID had been working around the clock to find who did this too you. We are trying just as hard. Don't worry, we'll get who ever did this and make sure they go away for a long, long time. Just open your eyes."
Just at that moment the door opened and Gary and Smithy walked in.
"We'll leave you to it, serge." Gary said quietly, as Smithy took his position next to Charlotte. "Come on, Honey."
Honey and Gary left, leaving Smithy alone once again.
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At Sun Hill and up in CID, Debbie and Ken were inquiring about Marc Lawson's alibis.
"Well, that's it." Ken sighed. "We have called as many people as we can from the party."
"Yeah." Debbie replied. "And they can all vouch for Lawson. But we still haven't found the girlfriend yet. We've tried her house and left countless messages."
"Serge." Andrea's voice cut in. "There's a Briony Thompson for you in the reception."
"The girlfriend." Debbie said to Ken. "Thanks Andrea. Come on Ken."
"Briony Thompson?" Ken asked, a pretty girl with reddish-brown hair once they had gotten downstairs.
"Yeah, I got your messages." Briony answered. "What's this about?"
"Why don't you came with us and we'll tell you." Debbie said kindly. "Follow me."
Debbie and Ken lead Briony into the closest interview room.
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"So what has this got to do with me?" Briony asked. "I got your messages."
"It's about your boyfriend, Marc Lawson." Debbie started.
"He told you he was my boyfriend." Briony laughed. "That idiot, he broke up with me last week. Said he wanted a change of scene."
"Where were you on the nights of the 9th and 16th of August?" Ken asked.
"At home with my little sister, why?" Briony answered. "What have I meant to have done?"
"Nothing." Debbie cut in quickly. "But Marc told us you were with him on those two nights."
"In his dreams." Briony said. "I wasn't near his house on any of those dates. What's he done?"
"Well we think he is responsible for two attacks on girls in the park not far from his house." Ken said.
"That's news to me." Briony said. "Well I'm happy I've broken up with him. I don't wanna date a creep like him. Can I go now?"
"Yes, but we may need you again." Debbie said.
"And by the way." Briony said as she walked out the door. "I hope you catch him."
"Great back to square one." Ken sighed. "We can bring Lawson in for the attacks, but not the stabbing of Charlotte."
"Poor Smithy." Debbie said. "He must be so worried about her. Let's go get Lawson."
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"Marc Lawson, open your door now." Debbie shouted banging on Marc's door.
"What have I done this time?" Marc sighed, opening the door. "Second time today, I am lucky."
"Marc Lawson, I'm arresting you on suspicion of two accounts of GBH." Ken said, handcuffing Marc.
"You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say maybe given in evidence."
"Great, just great." Marc muttered.
"Come on, move it." Ken said, shoving Marc in to the car.
When they got back to the station, Debbie and Ken pulled him into custody.
"Marc Lawson." Debbie said. "Arrested on suspicion of two accounts of GBH."
"Full name." Sheelagh sighed.
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"Well we're back to square one." Debbie sighed, half an hour later. "And no closer to finding out who stabbed Charlotte."
"Maybe it was just a random attack." Ken suggested. "Or it could have been planed. I think we should see if Charlotte had any enemies or arrested anyone from a previous station, who might have a grudge against her."
"Yeah, but that is gonna take a long time." Debbie sighed. "So we'd better get to it."
"So have you had any success?" Neil asked Debbie, a couple of minutes later.
"We've arrested a suspect." Debbie started.
"Good." Neil cut in. "Who is he?"
"The only problem is he's been arrested for the attacks of Harriet Darcy and Jayme Hill, but not the stabbing of Charlotte." Debbie finished. 'Sorry Guv. But his name is Marc Lawson."
"Great just great." Neil muttered. "What are you doing now?"
"We're trying to find out if Charlotte had any enemies." Ken replied. Or if she arrested anyone over the years that might have a grudge against her."
"Good." Neil said. "And keep me up dated."
"Yes Guv." Debbie and Ken said.