A/N: Thanks to Becki, Maz, Vikki and VillageIdiot89UK for reviewing :D

Guilt 11

"I didn't do it." Rick Michaels repeated what felt like the hundredth time.

"Then how do you explain the heroin you tried to sell my colleague" Zain snapped, losing his temper with the man.

"I found it. I thought it was better that I sold it to some druggie than some child finding it."

"Oh of course, you're all about the children." Zain said sarcastically

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I read your records, Mr. Michaels and they're colourful to say the least. Assault, Petty Theft, oh and child abuse. So you can forgive me for not believing you."

"It was Becki." The man suddenly said, "It was her plan, not me."

"You're lying." Zain said confidently

"I swear, it's the truth."

"Zain, can I have a word outside?" Sam asked. Zain nodded, and they both stood up, Sam turning the tape off and they walked outside.

"Why are you so sure he'd lying?" She asked.

"You heard his records…"

"And he has no previous drug offences. The wife could be behind this."

"Becki wouldn't do that."

"You thought David wouldn't either…" she pointed out, "Look, why don't you take a break, get some coffee, I'll finish the interview by myself. You're too involved." She turned on her heel and walked through the door leaving Zain, staring after her, wondering just how well he really did know the people he'd grown up with.

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He sat alone in the canteen fifteen minutes later, nursing a cup of lukewarm coffee. He looked around all of the groups of officers enjoying their break and heard a burst of laugh. He turned to see Mickey, Terry and Kezia sitting together, talking. He sighed, knowing he'd never have that relationship with his colleagues. And most of the time, he was okay with that. He was a loner, pure and simple. But sometimes loners got lonely too.

He was startled by a cough above him. He glanced up and saw a bored looking PC Dan Casper looking at him expectantly.

"What?" he snapped, sounding cold and unfeeling, even for him. God, he hated himself.

"There's a message waiting for you in the office. You're welcome by the way." Dan said, leaving without waiting for a response.

"Thanks." Zain called after him, trying to be nice. He finished his coffee, before going to the office, not thinking it would be anything important anyway. When he arrived, there was a pretty young girl on the desk. Zain couldn't recall seeing her before. Maybe she was new. Or maybe he'd just never paid any attention before, seeing office staff as beneath him. Probably the latter.

He smiled at her while asking for his message. She handed him an envelope, looking at him with a little confusion in her eyes, not ever having known him to pay anyone but CID officers any attention before. Zain noticed the look and decided now was definitely time for a change. In this job, you could die any day, and he really didn't want to die alone and disliked.

He thanked her again for the message and ripped open the envelope, noting the lack of stamp. What he read, momentarily made his heart stop.

LET MICHAELS GO. OR YOUR GIRLFRIEND GETS KILLED.

D

He fumbled for his phone in his pocket and dialled Marie's mobile number.

"Where are you?" he asked as soon as she picked up

"Zain? Is that you?"

"Where are you?" he repeated, hearing the fear in his voice, and no longer caring.

"At home."

"Is David with you?"

"Yes, why?"

"Get out now. Come to the station."

"Why?" she asked. He hung up, knowing she'd come. Sam appeared beside him from an interview room,

"You okay?" she asked

"Not really." He admitted, showing her the note. She read it quickly and said

"I thought you said she wasn't your girlfriend."

"She's not. David doesn't know that though."

"Of course." She said, knowing it was best to agree with him when he was stressed, "Did you warn her?" he nodded,

"Yeah she's coming down now."

"Okay. I'll arrange for someone to look after her. I know you probably won't want to see her."

"Thanks." Zain smiled weakly, sinking into a chair, "But I need to see she's okay."

"Okay." Sam said, sitting down beside him, and the pair sat there until Marie arrived.

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Zain stared at his blank computer screen, not quite knowing what to do with himself now. His phone rang next to him and he answered automatically,

"Zain Nadir." As the voice on the other end spoke, Zain instantly recognised it as David

"Nice try. But you can't save her. I have her now." And then there was a click and the dialling tone sounded. Zain stared at the phone in shock. Marie was safe. He'd seen her in the office. He'd left her with Kezia in the canteen. There was no way David could have her… Was there? He dropped the phone and ran to the canteen.

He burst through the door, not caring that everyone was staring. Then his eyes fell on Kezia and Marie sitting together, chatting happily, and he felt a rush of relief. Suddenly his phone beeped, signifying the arrival of a text message. Zain opened it, and read it, noting it was from an unknown number. It said

Wrong one.

Zain frowned at the message. Wrong what? Then his phone beeped again and a picture arrived. He opened it and what he saw, restarted the panic. It was a picture of DS Samantha Nixon standing beside David's car.

A/N: So what you all think? Press the big blue button to let me know.