It's All About You – Part 14

Charlie sat in the corner of the room, one arm wrapped tightly around Smithy's back, the other clutching his hand as she listened to the second tape, tensing as the voice of the suspect was heard.

"Let her go!"

Charlie gasped and gripped Smithy's hand tighter.

"Go on! She's asking for it! Drop her!"

A tear streaked it's way down her cheek as she related the voices with what she'd heard, trembling as she hid her face in Smithy's shoulder.

"Turn it off!" Smithy called urgently to Gina who pressed the button, looking at Charlie.

"Him." She swallowed. "He was there…he told them to drop me."

"You're doing really well." Gina soothed. "There's just one more tape."

"No!" Smithy shook his head. "She's-"

"Put it on." Charlie lifted her head, cupping Smithy's cheek with one hand. "I have to do this Dale."

"You don't have to do anything." Smithy sighed, kissing her forehead as he gently pulled her closer.

"I want them to pay." Charlie nodded at Gina, her fingers tightening around Smithy's.

"PIG! QUICK, LEG IT!"

"He was there." Charlie looked at Gina, sniffing and wiping her eyes, nodding. "He was there too…he saw Nick…"

"I ain't going down for nothing!" Jacques sneered at Tony, "I never touched her."

"We have evidence to the contrary, Mr Jacques." Gina answered calmly.

"You made it up!"

"We played the tape to the victim."

"She'd pick out who ever you told her to." Jacques rolled his eyes, sitting back in his chair.

"She's a police officer, as you know…"

"We both know," Jacques leant forward. "This nick's bent, you'd say anything to get an arrest."

Gina looked almost amused, "That's a new one." She said dryly, "Shame it wouldn't wash." She nodded at Tony. "Take him back to custody and fetch Roberts."

"Ma'am." Tony nodded, getting out his chair, getting Dan to help him escort the prisoner back to his cell.

"Muuuuuuuuummy!" Rebecca beamed, toddling towards Charlie with her arms open.

"Hello Baby!" Charlie beamed, picking her up and cuddling her.

"How're things?" Rachel Rogers asked, smiling at her daughter as she smoothed Charlie's hair, kissing her cheek.

"They're taking a break." Charlie cuddled Rebecca, kissing her cheek. "She let you take her?" She smirked, meaning Smithy's mum.

Rachel chuckled, "I'm just glad we had the agreement for looking after her drawn up before, or I'd never get to see my granddaughter."

"Gamma said we can go to the park!" Rebecca beamed, looking round for Smithy.

"Really?" Charlie mock gasped, "You been a good girl?"

Rebecca nodded emphatically, holding the picture she'd drawn out, causing Charlie to try and balance her, and look at the paper. "That's gorgeous, sweetie!" She grinned, kissing her cheek.

"It's us!" Rebecca giggled, leaning to Charlie's ear. "And mummy's baby!" she whispered, causing Charlie's smile to drop.

"How's my number one girl?" Smithy appeared behind the group, opening his arms for Rebecca as she screeched and all but lunged for him.

"I'm fine thank you, Dale." Rachel smirked, exchanging kisses with him.

Smithy chuckled and looked at Rebecca, "Did you hear that?" he mock scowled "Gamma's trying to muscle in!"

Rebecca's scowl matched her fathers and she wrapped both arms around his neck, cuddling tight. "My dada!"

Smithy grinned proudly, before frowning as he looked at Charlie. "You alright?"

Charlie looked up from the paper and blinked, before forcing a large smile. "Fine…"

"That's not good enough!" Gina sat back in her chair, looking across at Tony. "Still, we can say we did the formalities," She lifted her arm and looked at her watch. "Interview ter-"

"The formalities?" Michael Roberts blinked.

Gina nodded. "We have to have a recorded interview with you Mr Roberts, whatever happens."

"Oh." Roberts nodded. "But you've already got one?" He blinked. "From when we first came in…"

"Yes," Gina nodded innocently, "But we need a new one now you're being charged."

"Charged!" Roberts eyes grew wide. "But I ain't done nothing."

"You've been identified by the victim," Gina glanced at Tony. "Such a shame we couldn't keep Martin in to play." She mock tutted and raised her eyes to look at Roberts. "But still, as long as we have you."

"I ain't going down for nothing!" Roberts started to panic. "I didn't touch the girl!"

Tony and Gina exchanged smirks, both folding their arms. "But you were at the scene, you've been identified…."

"I didn't touch her though!" Roberts snorted, "That was Pete and the others!"

"Who?" Gina asked, tilting her head.

"I ain't no grass!" Roberts started to say, before Gina interrupted.

"Thank you for your help, I'm sure the judge will take it into consideration when sentencing."

"Sentencing?" Roberts swallowed. "But I already told you."

"And I already told you." Gina said lightly. "Such a shame you have to shoulder it by yourself…"

Roberts looked thoughtful for a few seconds, before opening his mouth to speak. "…If I tell you who was involved, will it help me?"

"With out a doubt." Gina smirked, nodding.