It had been 4 long weeks before he heard from her again. She called at work from a phone box to give him an update of the situation and a date and location for the next shipment. There was nothing personal about her call, she didn't give away anything, didn't ask how he was and he didn't get a chance to ask her anything before she hung up. She seemed cold and distant like he was a mere colleague.

The way they left things, he did wonder whether he imagined it all in his head, whether she felt the same things he felt during that wonderful night they spent together. They didn't get to talk much about what it meant and what the future would look like for them. He really, really wanted a future with Harry but he wasn't so sure anymore that it was something she'd be happy with. He'd been showing up for work and functioning, barely, but there was no passion, no joy in his life. It's like she took the light away with her when she left. However, he had to focus on the investigation and the information she shared with him. In 2 weeks' time, a new batch of girls, fresh from the continent, will land at the docks waiting for triage at their warehouse. Harriet was supposed to go through the girls and decide which one she would prep for their higher-end clientele and which one would end up on the streets of London as mere casual prostitutes. The fact she didn't say anything and her voice sounded off somehow, he started to think that the situation had, quite understandably, taken its toll on her. 2 more weeks and she'll be out of there and hopefully safe in his arms. In the meantime, he couldn't think of what she was doing or what that creep was doing otherwise he would go insane.

The whole building was surrounded by SI-10 and some MI-5 agents who had been briefed on the undercover status of Sergeant Makepeace. Dempsey could see a ship arriving at the horizon loaded with various containers on board. The cranes were ready and waiting to offload the merchandise and dispatch as necessary. He kept Spikings informed of the movements surrounding the docks. They needed a clear vision of what was happening to be able to minimise injuries and possible deaths of civilians. Dempsey had to keep a clear head now, within the next 10 minutes, things will probably get crazy and there was no room for emotions. The thick fog surrounding them really was not helping and gave the whole area a sinister appearance which didn't do anything to help boost the troops' morale. They had to actually see the girls being unloaded to be able to act so they had to be patient and hope for the best outcome possible for all concerned.

Suddenly, the cranes started unloading the containers and he could see O'Cryon directing the operations. Several containers were loaded directly on lorries and sent on their way. The transport police were waiting for them further down the road and will deal with them. Dempsey and his team were to apprehend O'Cryon and free the girls. O'Cryon unlocked the containers one by one and his men opened the doors and with rifles at the ready pushed 20 perhaps 30 girls per container towards the warehouse. But they looked so young, much younger than they thought. He couldn't believe his eyes, they can't be much older than 15/16 years old! What the hell was wrong with those men? How could they possibly be so perverted that they thought it was alright to behave like that! It made him sick. For fuck sake they were mere children, they were crying and looked absolutely terrified.

"Charlie 5 to… ", called Dempsey out, "the cargo has been emptied, however, we're now dealing with girls aged barely 15 so wait until they're all locked safely away in the warehouse. We don't want any bullets hitting them unwillingly. Hopefully, Harry's inside and will keep them out of arm's way. Can you confirm she's in the building Chas? ", waiting for his colleague's answer his heart was beating fast, he seemed to be waiting forever until his RT crackled with Chas'voice "yes, we can hear her talking to the girls. She's getting them to lie low at the other end of the warehouse, away from O'Cryon."

The relief coming from Dempsey was visible. He could now focus on the task ahead knowing that soon it will all be over.

"Charlie 5 to … the girls are all inside now. Are you good to go your side?", asked Dempsey

…. To Charlie 5 we're good to go when you give the go-ahead"

"OK Chas, NOW, go, go, go!"

Dempsey was running, gun first, shouting "Police, freeze!". O'Cryon's men were shooting at them and screaming orders left, right and centre. It all looked very messy from where Dempsey stood and he really didn't like it. He could see O'Cryon from a distance. Dempsey took cover behind another warehouse. Dempsey shouted in his RT, "Chalie 5 to…Give me an update on your position, Chas. What's happening? It's all hell lose here. Have you got to the girls?". "Yes, all the girls are safe and dragged to safety by various police officers but Sergeant Makepeace is missing. She was not in the warehouse anymore. We have no idea where she is."

"Fuck! Where the hell is she? Keep me informed Chas, I'm going after O'Cryon."

"O'Cryon, it's over! Put your gun down, we have the girls. You're finished. O'Cryon!"

Crap, he wasn't answering. The idiot was trying to drive away in his car. Shit. Dempsey started running after him until he saw the vague shape of a body standing right in front of O'Cryon's car as he was driving at full speed. He wasn't slowing down though. What on Earth? No, it couldn't be…..

"HARRY! NOOOOOOO!..."

And then he heard several gunshots and saw the car driving off towards the Thames and diving in the river head first. Dempsey ran like a bat out of hell towards his partner, unsure whether she was hurt or not. And that's when he saw her, holding her gun, motionless, then slowly falling onto her knees as if in slow motion. She looked up towards him before she collapsed on the floor before his own eyes.

"HARRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY", yelled Dempsey, sprinting towards his partner now lying on the floor lifeless.

As he reached her and looked at her, he saw the blood coming out of her mouth and the stain on her shirt.

He screamed in his RT "OFFICER DOWN! I need an ambulance NOW! Harry's been shot!" He was panicking but tried to remain in control for her. She looked up at him raised her hand to his face, stroking his face. "Shhh Harry…. Don't move, princess, keep your strength, honey. Where are you hurt? I'll put pressure on the wound, it might hurt". She screamed and tears fell out of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart. I don't want to hurt you but it's for your own good."

Chas was running towards them with a first aid kit.

"Where the fuck is that ambulance Chas?"

"It's on its way. Put the blanket on her, she's shivering from the shock. I can hear the sirens. I'll show them the way."

"Dempsey….. James…", whispered Harry pulling on his coat as her partner bent down to hear her

"You have to get to Ada. She's only 10. I promised her. Please….."

"Anything babe, but who's Ada?"

"The girls…she's one of them."

And that's the last thing she said before losing consciousness,