Again, thanks for the awesome reviews! For those of you who like new DC Zain Nadir, I've a story about him waiting to be posted. Enjoy chappie 5! This is where it starts to get interesting!
She's the One
Chapter 5
Kerry sat twiddling her thumbs in her bed that night. The ward was quiet – too quiet. Her thoughts kept pondering to her would-be killer. Who would possibly want her dead? Her mind finally rested on Gabriel. He seemed the only one to have a large enough motive. The blonde shivered at the prospect of the truth being revealed. She knew it would take a while.
Smithy had said he'd come and see her after work, but he hadn't. He was no doubt having the usual pint at the pub with his mates from work. She could just imagine him swigging down a large ice cold beer while Gary and Steve looked on in amazement. Smithy was always the one who won the drinking contests, even when Phil Hunter was taking part.
She closed her eyes and imagined Smithy here next to her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders to keep her safe. She snapped back into reality upon hearing a nurse making nightly rounds.
Kerry let her hand slip over onto her stomach. She felt it wonderingly, trying to think who her baby's father was. A thought suddenly struck her.
"Excuse me, nurse?" She managed to get the attention of the middle-aged nurse.
"Yes, dear, what can I do for you?" she answered with a kindly smile.
"Could you tell me how many weeks pregnant I am?" Kerry asked shakily, not knowing if she wanted to find out.
"Err, yes, hold on," the nurse replied, picking up her notes. "Right, you seem to be about twelve weeks pregnant according to these test results. The foetus is looking stable and healthy; he's in with a fighting chance."
"He?" Kerry gasped. "I'm going to have a son?"
"Yes dear and I'm sure he'll be just as handsome as his father," the nurse said with a knowing smile. "Good night." She nodded and left the ward, leaving Kerry to piece the clues together.
As Kerry predicted, Smithy indeed was in the pub that night, laughing and joking along with everyone else. Truthfully, he hadn't given Kerry a thought since he downed his first pint, but that was the alcohol's fault.
"Right, my round!" boomed Phil as he staggered up to the bar. The others cheered merrily, banging their glasses on the table. Smithy sat in the corner conversing with Gary, Steve, Tony and Reg, Roger and Lance. At a larger table nearer the bar sat the female members of the relief; Andrea, Honey, Yvonne, Amber and new recruit Leela gossiping about the day's comings and goings.
Phil's round came back finally; he carried a tray of around thirteen pints, spilling beer everywhere as he went. DS Hunter seemed to be the only detective who enjoyed the company of the relief. The others, like DI Manson and DC Carver seemed to prefer sitting with their own kind, the boring kind according to Gina.
"Okay, another contest!" declared Phil with a huge grin. "Who wants to challenge me?"
"I'll gladly accept!" Smithy yelled drunkenly. Phil nodded and handed him a pint. "Anyone else?"
"Go on, count me in!" Gabriel piped up, looking the only one not drunk.
"Okay, on three!" began Steve. "One, two, THREE!"
The three men immediately began draining their beer. The frothy alcohol drizzled down their fronts as they attempted to down it all. After just a few seconds, Smithy's glass came slamming down on the table.
"Yes!" he bellowed with a triumphant grimace. The others groaned and looked at their measly pints half full.
"Here, Smithy, you can finish mine," Gabriel said, handing him the glass looking worn out.
"Aww! Thanks, Gabriel!" said Smithy merrily and he downed the half pint. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
The door opened, and in walked Adam, Jack, Neil, Sam and June. Manson's dark eyes met with Andrea's; the look clearly stated 'follow me outside'. Once Neil had gone back out, Andrea stood up.
"I need some fresh air," she said truthfully, picking up her handbag. "See you in a bit." She walked out before anyone could reply. Once outside, she heard a sharp whistle; it had come from her left. It was dark and wet; the only thing giving her light was the one street-light. Finally, she found Neil standing in an alley. She ran to him.
"We need to talk," he said clearly. Andrea's thoughts of kissing and making up quickly vanished from her mind. "Kerry's still alive, and it would be best if we pretend nothing's ever happened between us, that way if she does say anything, we won't be lying as much."
Andrea shook her head sadly.
"You don't understand do you?" she said incredibly. Neil looked shocked to see her speaking out. "It isn't just your life and career on the line, it's mine too!"
"Alright!" he said, alarmed. "Alright, I'm sorry. Come here." He wrapped his arms round her and she buried her head into his chest.
Back inside the pub, Smithy was beginning to think he'd forgotten to do something. Maybe it was the alcohol talking, he thought.
"You alright, serge?" Gabriel said with concern.
"Yeah, fine," he answered. "Actually no, I can see the hangover already and I'm sure there was something I needed to do."
"Bless you, Smithy," Gabriel said jokingly. "Oh, wait! Weren't you going to see Kerry after work?" The colour from his sergeant's face drained in an instant.
"Bugger!" he exclaimed. "I'd better go now!" He rose from his seat, but swayed drunkenly. "Damn, I can't drive like this!"
"I'll take you, Smithy; I've only had half a pint," Gabriel said helpfully.
"Thanks! Let's go!"
The two men staggered outside, unaware who the man and woman kissing in the alley were. They reached Gabriel's car, and Smithy found himself shoved against a wall.
"Here! Gabriel! What're you doing?"
"Sorry Smithy," he said as he tied his hands with rope, "you'll be the loser here!" Smithy fell unconscious because of the alcohol and Gabriel grinned maliciously. He pushed him into the back of his car.
From the alley, Neil had a clear view of what was happening. He broke apart from Andrea.
"Someone's abducting Smithy!" he yelled. He couldn't see who it was. "Andrea, go inside and alert everyone! I'll follow the car!" Andrea nodded, and sped back inside. Neil got into his own car and reared the engine.