a chapter for you on the day of the season six finale! i am feeling VERY anxious about what is going to happen but also excited for things to (hopefully) be resolved! also will be exciting to see where this fic can go and what it might mean for the future of Steve and Lizzie! hope you enjoy, and thank you as always for reading, especially those of you who leave comments! appreciate you all so much!
"Jamie, wait," Liz calls out as she leaves her office, having just watched the young man storm out of Hastings' office with fury on his features, heading for the elevator, "Jamie!"
The young man does not stop until he reaches the lift doors, slamming his palm onto the button to hail it. She catches up and says his name again, the man having no choice but to acknowledge her with a snap of his head.
"Jamie, what's going on? Are you alright?"
He scoffs, a humourless smirk on the corner of his lips as his furious eyes flit over the office then back to her with a shake of his head, "First I'm a scapegoat for the Huntley interview falling to shit and now this?"
"Now what?" Liz asks, genuinely confused and concerned.
"Accusing me of being the reason the department's security is threatened!" he shouts, fists shaking with anger at his sides.
Liz can only look at him, uncertain of the situation but wanting to hear him out.
"I could fight this, you know. But what would be the point?" Desford practically spits, "Hastings has had it out for me since I got here! Don't want to be where I'm not wanted, benign treated like a mug!"
"You're not a mug, Jamie-"
"I want a transfer," he states, swallowing hard, "I want out."
"I am sure we can work something out, it doesn't need to come to that-"
"Me? Responsible for a security breach?!" Jamie seethes, ignoring her. He hits the lift button a few more times, progressively with more force.
Liz takes a step forward, speaking softly, "I want to help. What happened, Jamie?"
He sighs, lowering his voice though she can still hear the venom, him seeming to trust her and believe her sincerity, "Apparently I accessed some highly sensitive AC-12 files. Have a log highlighting my name as the user that breached the security systems. I didn't do it."
"Then how could that have happened? Did someone else use your computer?"
"I don't know," he huffs, "And honestly? I don't care. I just want out."
Liz nods, unsure what else to say as the lift arrives, seeing the young man's determined fury and knowing she would be unable to persuade him against leaving.
He walks past her into the lift as the doors open, whipping back around with a thoughtful contemplation on his face, "IT was checking our passwords the other day. Changing our logins apparently. Maneet passed them on."
Maneet? I was never informed our logins were changing.
The doors close before Liz has a chance to ask anything further.
She knocks a few times, hoping this is the right address. Liz has never visited her home before but it has not changed on the files she has.
It opens, the woman frowning slightly, clearly confused as to why she is there, but soon turns into her usual friendly smile, "Liz!"
"Hi Maneet," Liz smiles, glad to see her.
"Come in, come in," Maneet sings, stepping to the side to allow Liz to walk through into her home. She ushers her into a living room, offering tea and a seat on one of the sofas, to which Liz accepts.
Waiting for Maneet to return with the drinks, Liz takes a look around, noting the several framed photos of her, her husband and son. It warms her heart.
Maneet soon returns with a tray of tea and biscuits, expertly avoiding the several toys strewn about the floor before taking a seat beside her. Liz smiles and thanks her, taking a sip.
"So, everything alright?" Maneet asks, no doubt wondering why the young woman has come to visit her at home.
"All is good on my end," Liz smiles, "I just wanted to check if everything is good on yours? Ted said you have given in your notice?"
Liz watches as Maneet visibly deflates, the light dimming slightly in her eyes despite her smile remaining in place. She sighs, a bit too forcefully, "Well, you know, everything was just getting on top of me what with the pregnancy and everything. The stress of the job didn't help."
Liz nods, understanding but not able to shake the feeling there is more to it, "I can't say it wasn't a shock though. Another month and you would have been entitled to your maternity pay?"
Maneet hesitates, eyes flicking to the ground before answering, "I can manage. Dev said he is doing well with work and Haresh has been needing more help with school work besides preparing him for a little sibling and things, so it seemed like the best thing to do for all of us. They are at the park right now."
Despite her suspicions, Liz cannot help but smile at the woman's clear excitement at the new addition to their family, "And how does little Haresh feel about it all? Is he excited?"
The conversation flows for another hour or so, Liz asking about how her pregnancy is going and the preparations in place for the new upcoming arrival. Eventually the conversation turns to Maneet's family.
"And how is Vihaan doing?" Liz asks, aware that Maneet's cousin has been struggling with a gambling addiction for a few years now.
Maneet nods, though looks down sadly to her empty mug in her hands, "He's doing alright. Getting there."
Liz can see tears begin to spring in the woman's eyes. Liz rests a hand on her shoulder, comfortingly. She is sure it is, in part, about her cousin. Liz knows they have struggled with his addiction and the terrible impact it has had on their family. But she cannot help feeling, what with the strange circumstances surrounding her sudden quitting AC-12 so soon before her given leave, and the way the woman fell silent when Liz had told the story of Jamie's dramatic exit earlier that day, that there is more on Maneet's mind than what she has revealed.
So, calmly and kindly, Liz asks, "What is going on, Maneet?"
And Maneet does not hold back anymore, tears falling as she looks at the young woman, eyes wide with remorse, "It was me. I leaked the files."
Liz suppresses a sigh, not wanting her disappointment to discourage the woman from explaining herself. She had hoped for her suspicions to be denied, for Maneet to prove herself to be the honest, loyal woman Liz had believed her to be. Perhaps, after all the betrayal Liz has suffered in the past few years, she has come to develop intuition for this sort of thing. The idea disheartens her.
"ACC Hilton, he blackmailed me," Maneet cries, desperate for Liz to understand, "Said he could have Vihaan fired from his job due to the gambling. I didn't know what to do. He's the ACC. I couldn't say no."
Yes, you could, Liz thinks, bittered by past experiences. Still, she keeps her arm secured around the weeping woman. Her friend.
"Hilton?" Liz then asks, surprised.
Maneet nods, a sob wracking her body.
Surely he can't be bent, Liz considers, He has always seemed too much of a wet wipe for him to be some sort of criminal mastermind. Then again, she reminds herself of what someone once said to her, what he had said to her: you can't trust anybody.
Her thoughts are quietened by Maneet continuing to speak through cries, "I told Jamie IT needed his details and then used them to download the video file to a memory stick. Oh god, that poor man. I am so sorry. So so sorry."
And Liz believes her.
Her self-assurance may have been wavered by recent events, but Liz knows Maneet. The woman does not have a bad bone in her body. Everyone knows it. For Maneet to do something such as this, there had to have been a good reason. That she had no other choice.
"Will you tell them?" Maneet chokes on tears as she pleads, looking desperately at the woman beside her.
"Consider this an appointment," Liz says, "I am bound by legal confidentiality to not disclose any information I have discussed with a patient."
Maneet exhales, shrinking under the relief. Liz is uncertain, knowing she should likely tell AC-12 the truth. But she needs to work it all out first. What this means, what the implications are, what the best move truly is. They have so much going on with the Huntley case, she will disclose it if and when they need to know.
She should tell Steve, and the others. They deserve to know. But Liz needs to give herself some time amongst everything to work things out, how to best go about it.
Besides, Maneet is her friend. Liz doesn't want her in trouble, especially not with a young son and another child on the way. She can see how remorseful the woman is. There has to be a better way to deal with this when necessary. For now, until she has considered all possibilities, she will stay quiet.
Maneet smiles through her tears, dizzied by the relief. Liz squeezes her shoulder, supportively, "Just focus on the baby. We will sort this when the time is right."
The woman nods.
"Thank you, Liz," Maneet says, sincerely as she rises herself, wiping away her tears, "Really, thank you."
Liz does not answer, only sends a small smile, still not entirely sure of her decision.
"Out of interest," Liz says, wondering what the video contained that could be so important to the ACC, "what was on the files?"
Maneet hesitates, giving her an uneasy glance, before saying quietly, "DI Matthew Cottan's dying declaration."
Liz feels sick.
Her head spins.
She stands, suddenly, mumbling something about needing to head back before rushing to the doro, closing it behind her without a goodbye. Thoughts and memories of the man and that day - that she had tried so hard to repress over the last year now fighting their way to the surface - swirling through Liz's mind as she walks down the street.
Hearing that name. Being reminded of what happened.
Her throat begins to close as her vision blurs. Her legs shake, walking unevenly back in the direction of the office. Her hands itch, feeling the blood seep beneath her fingernails. Her cheek burns, the ghost of his bloodied touch.
Herself and Steve had worked so hard on recovering. Helping the other to feel safe again. To trust again. Quietening those memories and the consequent traumas to a place well-locked and hidden under the surface. To the point they could finally move on.
But now, having heard that name, she realises they had not moved on at all. There was no confrontation or processing of those feelings. Only pushing them down and silently promising to never discuss it again. And it is all coming back up. Suddenly. Violently.
And it hurts. Oh God, it hurts!
Her head feels like it is splitting, the memories of that man and all that had occurred rattling around her skull. Liz has to stop walking for a moment, leaning against a fence to brace herself. Waiting for her head to stop spinning just enough for her to see where she is walking. An edge of blackness remains circling her vision as she moves again.
There is a bitterness rising in her throat. About him and the office and Steve, even - that everyone just seemed to move on. Never talk about it unless in veiled terms. Never giving them enough of a space to recuperate. And she is guilty of it too! Of never confronting any of it. Never processing it, like she always advises her clients to do. She is the damn well-being officer, for Christ's sake, and she can't even help herself. And Liz hates herself for it.
She hoped she would be able to move on. To delude herself with the safety and assurances Steve provided. That her offering the same back to him would help, in some way, herself to feel the same comfort. To convince her everything would be ok. But how can they ever be? Nothing is solved. Nothing is over. And here she is, several months later, swooning in the street at the corrupted and crippled memory of that man and all that he did. She should hate him. To have built up a wall that she would never again let him break down. He is dead. He should not have any sort of hold over her. But he does, he clearly still does. And Liz hates herself for it.
Her breathing slows at the thought of Steve, her heart skipping a beat before continuing at a more regular, steady pace. Her vision begins to clear a little, thinking of all he has done for her. Most of all, he has cared. He has been there. He has struggled too. Been through his own trauma, both because of recent events and those in the past. But she has taken advantage of that. Even doubted his sincerity after the betrayal of that other man. She has allowed him to corrupt what she has with Steve, assuming the worst of her best friend when he has given her no reason to. Shown he has listened and tried and is there. But Liz has been too selfish to help, to process together. To truly move on. Allowed them to fall into the trap of ignorance to their pain, rather than opposing it. And Liz hates herself for it.
With a softened heart and clearer head at the thought of her best friend, her mind then spins at a dizzying speed back to him. To Dot. She can't even think of his name, that damn nickname, without burning bile rising in her throat. He did what he did. He betrayed her. He lied to her. Used her insecurities against her, used Steve against her. Made her feel appreciated and seen… But she realises, even now, it hurts this much because she still believes he cared. That he did feel something for her. The way he had tried to open up to her, to get her to listen. The way he had protected her, even as he turned against everyone else. The way he had listened to her, even while pointing a gun in her face, convinced she could and would help. The way he had… taken the force of several bullets to save her. Died for her. So she cannot help but still care for him. Still feel touched by his warped kindness. And Liz hates herself for it.
He was manipulated. Groomed. A victim to the vicious cycle of organise crime. Everyone has a choice, she knows. But sometimes people make the wrong ones. She can't believe Dot was nothing but a bad man. She can't. Maybe that's just her being weak, giving in to his manipulation. But even Steve had said, tried to convince her even, that not all of it could have been false. A lie. Not when it ended the way it did, with him doing that for her. Not quite a redemption, his terrible actions and the implications of his involvement cannot be denied - but more of an assurance. That he really did think of her that way. As someone he could trust, if he were to allow someone to. Someone that could help him, if he allowed someone to. Someone who could love him, perhaps, if he allowed someone to. That could have been her. And, despite how hard Liz tries, she cannot hate herself for it.
A video file, Maneet had said. Of his dying declaration.
Liz cannot remember him saying anything as he lay there, the shock having settled and blurring the sight and sound. All she could do was feel. Feel the blood beneath her fingernails. Feel his hand against her cheek. Feel both everything and nothing. Emptiness as he lay there, dying.
None of the others had told her he had said anything, though she now realises it was likely to not upset her. To pretend he never existed, as they all had. To save them from the painful truth of it all. That they were blinded.
What had he said? Was it useful?
Has Ted seen it? Or Kate?
Steve?
She hopes that if the man had, he would tell her. But their lack of acknowledgement of any of it since belittles her hope.
So Liz decides: she has to see that video for herself.
Liz had tried to stay away from it all. To 'move on'. But after Steve being attacked, Ted accused of terrible things, Kate suffering in her family life, Maneet being blackmailed by the ACC and the revelation it has something to do with Matthew Cottan - she knows there is no chance to do that. She is too close to them and thus too close to all this. There may not be a link between the Huntleys, Hilton and Dot. But it is worth a try.
You can see things, about situations and about people, that others don't, he had said.
She owes it to him, to Dot, as the only person he seemed to try to confide in. He was a victim. He did terrible, terrible things. But he had also shown himself to not be what they tried to make him. Or perhaps, she owes it to herself, to believe whatever he saw in her. To assure her that he had meant it, that she is who he tried to convince her she is. On the other hand, if he was lying, it is to prove him wrong out of spite. To make a point that she is the person that will be there. He made her believe in herself, whether intentionally or not, and Liz refuses to put out that spark.
If the memory of Dot has this much of a hold on her, even now, then she may as well make something useful out of it. Whatever his intention when encouraging her, she will get to the bottom of this. Uncover whatever the hell is going on. For Steve, for Kate, Ted, Maneet and, yes, for Dot. For herself, too.
Liz takes a deep breath, steadying herself.
She walks back to the office with a newfound determination in her step.
It is late by the time she arrives back at the office, wanting to think things over as she walks around the city. She had considered just going back to her flat, taking a shower to rid her of the lingering ghostly feeling of blood crusting her hands. But she decided against it, knowing she needs to confront these things now. Work through them.
As she enters the doors, she sees Steve and Kate lingering by the bottom of the stairs. She had not expected them to be there at this time, and had only come back to the office herself assuming the quiet would give her space to think. Steve smiles as he sees her, Liz unable to help herself as she returns it.
"Wasn't expecting to see you both this late," Liz says as she reaches them.
"Just waiting on the gaffer," Kate goes to explain, "We have some new information on Huntley."
"What are you doing here? Saw you leave earlier but you didn't come back," Steve asks.
"Oh, just wanted to catch up on some sleep," Liz lies, "Was too exhausted at my desk to get any work done so slipped off home for a bit. Was hoping to catch up now as I couldn't get back to sleep."
Steve nods, saying nothing. His heart begins to hurt again, more painful than the excited ache that started when she walked in, as it always does when he sees her. He feels guilty that she feels so tired, assuming it is because of her stressful stay at the hospital. Because of him.
Liz turns then, hearing the doors open behind them. Ted walks in, an eagerness in his stride as he greets them, "Evening team."
"Sorry to call you back in so late, sir," Steve says from his wheelchair. Ted shakes his head, urging them to continue.
"I've got a source at Polk Avenue," Kate informs.
"Now we're sucking diesel. Go on," the Superintendent prompts, eagerly intrigued.
"So, he - or she - insists on anonymity. They won't go on record and they won't cooperate with any inquiry," Kate rolls her eyes slightly, "But what they did say is they've received new forensic evidence showing Leonie's remains were buried after Michael Farmer was arrested."
"There is no way Hilton can still back Huntley after this," Steve insists.
Liz bristles slightly at the mention of the ACC.
Ted only nods as the other three look at him, waiting for their next order and assuming he will be eager to call out this obvious misconduct. The older man then shakes his head slightly as his gaze lowers to the ground, Liz deflating before he even speaks. He has been discouraged, likely by Hilton himself, and the others seem to have noticed it too judging by the disappointed glances they are sending him, "Yeah, and erm… Yes, so what else do we know about these new forensics, Kate?"
"Well, it appears they've been held in cold storage, probably a deep freeze, for some time before being buried," Kate explains, almost trying to appeal against whatever hesitance the older man has, "But this new evidence gives us clear reason to reopen the inquiry into Huntley and get the charges against Farmer dropped."
Liz takes this in, her lips twisting in thought. Steve seems to notice her contemplative quiet, "Lizzie?"
She turns to him, still thoughtful as she recollects information from so long ago, not wanting to say something wrong but eager to share in case there is a genuine link, "Body parts held in cold storage… Laverty. Jackie Laverty."
Steve's eyes widen in remembrance, realising her connection. The other two shift slightly as they try to recall themselves.
He shares a nod with Lizzie as he begins to push his chair towards the lift, determined, "Let's go."
Liz drags over a chair to sit beside Steve in front of his computer where he has pulled up some files for them to look at. Kate and Ted are sitting on the other side of him, curious.
"Jackie Laverty," Steve begins, "a property developer with ties to organised crimes last seen in 2012."
Recognition flits across Ted's face as he takes in the picture of the woman on the screen, "Yeah, the piece of work that Tony Gates was hanging out with."
"According to Gates, Jackie's body was kept in cold storage with incriminating DNA," Kate explains, also remembering, "A means of blackmailing an officer into manipulating criminal investigations."
"Exactly what has been done with Leonie Collersdale's body," Liz offers, glad they have so quickly caught onto her drift.
"What, you think they're connected?" Ted asks.
"Well, there's more, sir," Steve clicks on his screen, opening more files, "The man who attacked me, he was wearing a balaclava and he struck me over the head with a baseball bat."
Liz cringe as he recounts his attack, remembering the state he was in when they arrived at the law firm as he was pulled out by the medics.
"Now, I wasn't sure if that was a real memory or if I was confused with an old case," he says, Liz remembering he had said so when shown the photo of his alleged attacker in the hospital, now realising what Steve is insinuating as he continues to explain it to Ted, "That old case was the men involved with Jackie Laverty's murder. If you remember, I was attacked by some of them. They wore balaclavas and they used baseball bats. Tony Gates, the only witness to Jackie Laverty's murder, told me men wearing balaclavas broke into Jackie's house and knocked him out cold with a baseball bat."
"The MO's the same, sir," Kate continues, understanding and agreeing with Steve, "It raises the question as to whether these organised criminals are involved in the murders, or are manipulating the investigation somehow. Whether or not they're protecting guilty parties…"
"That's what we don't know," Ted then says, not nearly as emblazoned by the connection as the three beside him would expect or are themselves. Liz frowns, irked by the man's seeming indifference.
"Anyway, thanks, Steve. Beth, well done," the older man says, rising from his chair, "And Kate you had better get home and get some kip."
"Wait, sir," Steve calls, stopping the man for a moment as Liz and Kate watch on, stunned, "Jackie's disappearance was our case and it remains unsolved. We've got every right to reopen it."
"And as they may be connected, that might give us leeway to examine the forensics on Leonie Collersdale's body," Liz continues for him, Steve giving her a look at her use of the term 'us', knowing she had wanted to distance herself from investigations after everything that happened last year.
Ted falls silent, looking at the photo of Laverty on the screen as the others wait eagerly for his response. Liz understands he must feel pressured under the allegations facing him from Huntley and the rescind notice from Hilton, but surely he cannot pass the best lead they have? Does he not want to solve this?
"It's your call, sir," Steve prompts, "Hilton may use this to shut us down."
Ted nods, raising his eyebrows, "He may."
There is another silence as he seems to think it over, Liz waiting with baited breath.
"But if we go down, we go down fighting."
Liz exhales in relief at the Superintendent's words, feeling the satisfaction rolls off the two beside her.
"Sir," they acknowledge as he turns and leaves the office.
Kate stands from her own seat once Ted is gone, sharing a determined look with the pair before heading to her own desk, eager to get started despite the late hour.
Steve turns to the woman still beside him, a small smile on his lips and a hint of what she believes to be pride in his eyes, "Thanks, Lizzie."
She cannot help but return the grin, shrugging, "You would have gotten there eventually, I'm sure."
Steve huffs out a laugh, Liz sharing it before her face falls into something more serious. Reflective, even. He notices a glint in her eye as she looks to the files on his screen. Determination, he notes.
"We will get to the bottom of this," she states, as if knowing. Steve continues to look at her fondly, her certainty excitedly tugging at his heart, "We will find out who is behind this. Why they are doing it. What happened to you. And to Dot."
And just like that, upon hearing the name leave her lips, Steve's face and heart fall.
She stands suddenly, patting him on the shoulder before heading to her own office. He can't bring himself to watch her go, as he usually would. Rather stares at his desk, his heart fluttering with disappointment. He shudders as he hears her office door close, his stomach beginning to aggressively quease.
So, that's what it is all about for her.
For him.
He takes a shuddering breath. He feels sick.