No Matter What – Chapter 50
Disclaimer: I own nothing beyond this storyline and the original characters. All identifiable content from The Bill is the property of Talkback Thames and Freemantle Media.
Trigger warning: Mentions of suicidal ideation and child abuse in this chapter. Nothing graphic but if this is triggering for you, best to avoid the first section. And this chapter is definitely NSFW! You have been warned, ladies loving ladies lies ahead.
The frigid evening air whipped across the drying tear tracks on his face. He couldn't believe how low he had stooped, how far he had strayed from his path. When he signed on to join the police, never once did he consider he would be willing to go in his quest to get to the top. He was never naïve enough to assume he wouldn't have to be prepared to turn a blind eye here and there for his superior officers in return for currying their favour, debts to be repaid in promotions and career development opportunities, but never did he allow himself to imagine he would be forced to put aside his own moral compass wholly, to violate innocent members of the society he had sworn to protect. The very thought of what he had been forced to do made him sick to his stomach, bile rising once again. He bent forward at the waist allowing it to fall into the fast flowing waters below, caring not whether the momentum took him with it, fully embracing the awaiting arms of oblivion even as he hoped that there was no afterlife that would see him forever banished to the fiery depths of Hell for his actions and terrible life choices.
"Mate, what you doing up there?" a voice softly enquired from behind him. So lost in his torment had he been, the stricken man hadn't realised he had an audience. A multitude of arms wrapped around various parts of his anatomy, preventing him from following his dark thoughts into the raging depths of the river.
"Let me go. If any of you knew who I was, what I'd done, you'd be pushing me in. I'm disgusting. Just let me die," Stuart cried, attempting to evade the strong grips holding him back.
"We all feel like that from time to time, doesn't mean you don't deserve to live. You obviously don't like who you are right now so instead of this, why not turn your life around? Listen, what can I call you? My name's Mike and I'm here now, I'm invested so I'm afraid I can't just let you do this without making my best attempts to keep you alive. I'm a paramedic, it's in the job description, off duty or not, to try and save lives." The kindly man edged as close as he could, straddling the railing himself, lean thighs clamped around it to keep himself steady, grateful to feel firm hands grip his ankle ensuring he had an anchor.
"Stuart. My name's Stuart Turner, I'm a Detective at Sun Hill. I trusted someone to help my career and he got me caught up in something horrific. I'm wanted, pretty sure there's already a warrant out for my arrest…and I deserve it. I kidnapped a child, delivered her to some truly awful people who forced me to…" The brawny brunette broke off as he gagged again, no bile or stomach contents left to regurgitate. He felt arms around him slacken at his admission, those holding him recoiling from their collective understanding of what he was telling them. "She was no more than eleven years old and I took away her innocence. It was that or they would have killed me and taken it in turns with her anyway." He sobbed as he recalled the sound of the gun being readied, knowing without a doubt that if he didn't comply, his brains would have been splattered all over the walls of the dingy, grimy anteroom adjoining the studio they had set up for filming their depraved activities in. He coughed out a hollow laugh at the irony that he had died at that moment regardless of whether they had actively pulled the trigger or not. There was no future for him. Prison was not an option; a corrupt police officer who was also a child molester, yeah he could see himself being really popular with the other inmates.
"All the more reason you should live and face the consequences of your actions," Mike stated, his voice firm and unwavering. "You did what you did for whatever reasons you had but this…this only helps you. If you have any honour left, any part of you that believes in that oath you took when you joined the police, you'll stick around and give that girl closure. Tell your colleagues what you know, what you can and help to end the cycle of abuse. That's the only decent way this ends so if you have any ounce of decency in you, you'll suck up your self-pity and focus on making the minimal amends that you can." At the paramedic's words, the arms which had loosened tightened once more into a defiant grip, now intent on ensuring their captive didn't escape justice.
"Hi," Lorna murmured as Sam peeped round the doorframe into the bedroom.
"Hi yourself," Sam offered in hushed tones with a shy smile. "It's not too late to change your mind. I can still sleep on the couch."
Before she responded, the redhead turned down the covers on the opposite side of the bed to which she was currently propped up on, having retired earlier to read, giving her lover some space to herself. "Not necessary," Lorna affirmed, beckoning to the other woman to join her. "Despite the circumstances, it's never a chore sharing a bed with you, sweetheart."
"I feel the same, I just don't want you to feel crowded or obliged. You've not had any space of your own since we were placed here and when you're used to having that, I appreciate it can feel stifling to having someone, no matter who that is, with you all day, every day." Sam crawled into the space clearly reserved for her, having already used the bathroom and readied herself to retire for the night.
"I want you here, beside me. Katie's safe and as unscathed as we could hope for. Who knows how long we'll have to stay hidden for but regardless of any of that, my attraction to you hasn't diminished at all and to have you beside me each and every day, in bed and in life, well that sounds and feels to me like a rather exciting and wonderful prospect," Lorna assured her lover, turning onto her side to face the petite blonde having placed her book aside on the makeshift bedside table. Reaching out to soothe a hand over an alabaster cheek, she smiled tenderly at the other woman, guiding her in closer and inviting her to submit to a deep, sensual kiss.
"God Lorna, I've not been so turned by just a kiss in a long, long time. How do you do it to me?" Sam muttered, voice husky with the arousal flooding her system.
"Same way you do it to me," Lorna purred. "Not since James have I ever felt like nothing will ever be enough to satisfy my desire for someone. I hope I always feel like I need one more kiss, one more touch, one more, always one more." The older woman positioned herself so she was slightly above Sam, giving her space and opportunity to escape if she felt at all trapped or claustrophobic but gratified to feel hands at her hips, guiding her further on top. She allowed her pelvis to settle against a slender hip, her leg nudging the juncture of Sam's thighs encouraging them to part further for her as she leant down to capture luscious lips once again in a kiss which quickly ignited their growing passion. Both women groaned, the sound echoing between them, as hips surged together, grinding and inflaming rapidly heating centres. For the first time, they felt like they could truly explore their attraction, their mutual desire, without the fear of interruption from any outside forces. As a result, they silently synched their efforts, stoking the fires slowly and making deliberate attempts to map out one another's bodies, find the erogenous zones which made one another squirm with greater urgency, where to kiss, where to touch.
When Lorna's lips finally closed around a straining turgid nipple, Sam had to fold her pillow over her face to muffle the ecstatic gasp, conscious of both Katie and their guard in rooms close by. The tenacious blonde felt Lorna smile at the reaction, clearly pleased with herself but any thoughts of a smart comeback were halted by the feel of her hips being encouraged off the mattress to allow her attentive lover to remove the clothing from her lower half. She braced her heels against the soft surface, lifting as much as she was able, hyper-aware of the wetness pooling between her legs as it was exposed to the cool evening air.
"So gorgeous," Lorna murmured reverently, trailing the backs of her fingertips over the quivering flesh of Sam's milky thighs, delighting in the goosebumps left in her wake. She continued to tease her prone partner, dancing her fingertips close to where she most desired their touch only to drift away again, massaging the pliant flesh and placing delicate kisses and nips up each leg, starting at her ankle. By the time Lorna's skillful hands and lips converged on Sam's sopping centre, the blonde woman was almost delirious with arousal. She wasn't sure she could take any much more stimulation before she exploded with the most powerful orgasm she had ever experienced, slightly concerned that she would climax before the other woman had even touched her most sensitive area. And then fingers were parting her, opening her up to the redhead's scrutiny. Sam peeled the pillow away from her face to lock eyes with her partner, equally in awe of and fearing her reaction to what she saw. "My God, Sam, you're so wet!" Lorna groaned, eyes greedily drinking in the sight before her before she swooped down and feasted on the precious nectar seeping readily from Sam's aroused core. Lips, tongue and teeth were all engaged in her quest to devour all that the other woman had to offer, driving Sam ever higher, spiralling upwards to an ever-rising peak. Sam knew the fall would be as brutal as it was spectacular and could only cling on to the last shreds of her awareness of anything other than the wonderful maestro playing her body like an entire orchestra. Her last coherent thought flew from her mind as slender, powerful digits slipped inside her, filling her, possessing her and reassuring her that she was safe to let go all at once. Wanting to witness the fruits of her labour, Lorna repositioned herself, guiding Sam's face towards her own as she moved up the bed until they were once again face to face. Seeing the hazy almost frantic desire in the startlingly blue eyes which struggled to focus on her, Lorna curled the fingers still thrusting deeply inside their sodden haven, firmly massaging the ridge of spongy flesh with each outwards stroke. Sam's eyes widened further, her hands flying to Lorna's biceps and latching on with a vice-like grip, her mouth opening in a silent scream as the air rushed from her lungs in a single great heave. Lorna allowed her thumb to rest against Sam's engorged clitoris, the touch gentle in stark contrast to the almost feral thrusts into her eager vagina, but the added stimulation was the final straw which sent Sam soaring over the crest and plunging headlong into a sustained and mind-blowing orgasm. The older woman cradled her lover and attempted to swallow the guttural keening cry she released, if for no other reason than to avoid awkward breakfast conversation with her daughter.
As Sam fell limply to the bed, Lorna moved with her, very aware that three of her fingers were still making themselves at home inside the other woman's sensitive pussy and not wanting to overstimulate her lover and cause any discomfort yet equally reluctant to relinquish her hold so soon either. Feeling the residual tremors coursing through the internal muscles was a heady and powerful sensation, knowing she had been the major factor in creating those. A smug smile formed on her lips, unbidden yet undeterred by the single raised eyebrow from her prostrate partner.
"Feeling proud of yourself there, are you?" Sam asked smartly, her voice deliciously husky and sex-soaked.
"Just a little," Lorna confirmed, her fingers twitching inside the blonde causing her to tense and draw in a sharp breath, arms braced against the bed, hands gripping the sheet tightly.
"I can't…Christ!" Sam exclaimed as she felt her arousal roaring to the fore once more with just the slightest touch.
Noticing the renewed flood of natural lubricant, Lorna made her motions more pronounced and deliberate, massaging the spongy internal mass in lieu of long, hard thrusts and mimicking her internal motion with firm strokes to the sensitive flesh surrounding Sam's clitoris with her thumb. Unable to deny her own thirst for attention any longer, Lorna straddled one of Sam's thighs and ground herself down against the muscular limb. At the feel of her lover's wetness coating her leg, Sam's hands released their death grip on the sheet and moved to cup the taller woman's buttocks, encouraging her movements. In doing so, she drove the fingers inside her deeper still, the fourth pressing into her and threatening to be engulfed by her greedy lips, which seemed intent on devouring her lover entirely. As Lorna drove herself upwards against Sam's thigh, Sam herself bore down against Lorna's hand, wanton and driven by a seemingly unslakable lust.
"God Sam, you're so sexy," Lorna exclaimed vehemently, her own passion rising in a crescendo despite the minimal contact. Their mouths clashed in a hungry kiss just as Lorna's fourth finger slipped inside Sam's fluttering opening. Instinctively, Lorna retracted her thumb, tucking it into her palm with the intent to avoid overstimulating her lover but with the happy coincidence that it allowed her entire fist to slide inside on their next mutual grind. Sam's hands shifted to Lorna's shoulders as she sought to steady herself and regroup at the sudden feeling of being completely filled in a way she had never before experienced. It felt wonderful and overwhelming all at once and the rocking motion as Lorna continued to search for her pinnacle resulted in the fist inside her rotating too, giving her no time to adjust to the sensations. Her mind swam, bursts of colour pricking her vision reminding her to force herself to breathe lest she pass out cold from lack of oxygen. "You ok?" Lorna panted, feeling the need to check in and make sure she wasn't causing any discomfort.
"So far beyond ok," Sam ground out through gritted teeth. "I have never had this, never felt this…incredible. You're incredible," the diminutive blonde woman exclaimed, voice cracking as a powerful tremor coursed through her, rippling outwards from where Lorna's hand was buried deep within her. "I want to make you feel this amazing too. What do you need?" Sam fought valiantly through the haze of her arousal, wanting this orgasm to be mutually satisfying, not wanting to earn herself a reputation early on for being a selfish lover.
Lorna smiled a beatific smile as she answered. "If you wanted to touch me, I certainly wouldn't object." With no further need for direction or invitation, Sam allowed her hands to fall from Lorna's shoulders, one ceasing as it drew level with the pert breasts bouncing before her in time with the redhead's rocking motions. As that one teased a very prominent nipple, earning her a hitched breath and a more ragged thrust, the other hand continued its journey southwards, not stopping until it had reached the slick folds pressed tightly against Sam's thigh. The prone woman pressed her leg more deeply into the bed to open up a gap into which she could insinuate her hand, initially allowing Lorna to rock against her palm as she acclimatised herself to the geography of her anatomy. Once she was confident she knew where her targets lay, Sam adjusted her hand's placement, pressing her thumb to where she thought Lorna's clitoris would be, rubbing gently back and forth until she felt the familiar shape of it. When she was satisfied at that end and had Lorna reduced to smaller movements under the onslaught of attention to her sensitive bundle of nerves, Sam traced her fingertips through the swollen, saturated folds, searching out Lorna's own entrance. The redhead bit her lip, her eyes threatening to close but she fought against the urge. As Sam found her goal and pushed up into Lorna, at first with a single deft digit, then a second added as her confidence grew, Lorna bore down, commencing a more rhythmic rocking motion once again and feeling the gratifying pull and push of flesh moving inside her. The two women moved together writhing in their growing joint ecstasy. Sam slid a third finger home on her next stroke, their free hands now wrapped around one another's shoulders to provide a sturdy hold to drive against. Fingers and fist curling and massaging against sensitive spongy walls combined with the stimulation to their clitorises and their closeness drove them both over the edge into the abyss. They fell entwined, convulsing with their mutual pleasure, each twitch and spasm prolonging their release until their vigour failed and they both collapsed, eyes closed and still embedded within one another as their bodies gave into the need to replenish their flagging energies.
When Sam awoke, she had no concept of how much time had elapsed or indeed if she had been the only one to lose consciousness following their exploits. She was however painfully aware of her pressing need to wee and a delicious ache between her thighs which would serve as a reminder for a few days of the rigorous nature of their love making. Rising from the bed, she gazed down at her still slumbering lover, a fond smile stretching lazily across her lips as she made her way to the bathroom, grabbing a dressing gown as she went.
After taking care of her need to pee, Sam caught sight of her reflection as she washed her hands. Her skin was flushed and she conceded that she looked more healthy than she had in weeks, all thanks to the thorough loving she had received from her new partner. The thought brought forth a renewed surge of hormones which drove Sam back to the bedroom on swift feet. She entered the room with as much stealth as she could muster, discarding the flimsy robe as soon as the door clicked shut. Lorna briefly stirred, the covers slipping a little further off her lithe frame and exposing her bare back where she lay sprawled on her stomach. Sam crossed to the bed kneeling beside the slumbering woman and beginning to pepper her back with featherlight kisses interspersed with a few nips and nibbles to her pronounced shoulder blades, the ridges of her spine, trailing down to taut, peachy buttocks, perfectly ripe and succulent.
"...mmm, Sam?" Lorna queried as wakefulness beckoned.
"I'm here. Sorry I woke you, I just couldn't resist you, lying there in all your naked glory. It just made me want to have you again." As Sam spoke, she massaged Lorna's bum cheeks in her palms, fingertips grazing ever lower towards the still puffy lips of her pussy. The promise lying in the action was confirmed as Sam continued, "and I do believe I owe you since I had two of the best imaginable orgasms earlier, thanks to you." The blonde coaxed Lorna's legs apart, gratified to see wetness already seeping out to greet her. The CSE made to roll over but was halted by the weight of Sam's length pressing her into the mattress. "If you want or need me to stop at any time, I promise I will but I find the thought of taking you like this really erotic. If only we had a strap on, then I could really fill you up, good and deep."
Lorna moaned into her pillow at the mental image that placed firmly in her mind, a fresh gush of fluids released at the mere thought. "Oh God, think we can order one to be delivered?" she joked throatily, wishing she were at home where at least she had her vibrator they could have improvised with.
Sam released a peel of genuine laughter, playfully nipping at the older woman's left buttock as she took that as consent to continue. She traced a single finger down the cleft between her legs, from the fluttering, clenching opening to the throbbing distended bundle of nerves. "So wet, so responsive already," Sam purred appreciatively. "How much of me can you take?" she asked, using the natural lubricant to cover two of her fingers in preparation for penetrating the submissive woman beneath her. "Shall we see?" The question was mostly rhetorical as Sam pushed those two digits into the tight welcoming canal.
"Yeeeeeeesssssss," Lorna hummed, feeling pleasantly stretched and stimulated. Sam worked her fingers in and out in an easy, almost lazy motion, occasionally adding a swirl on the outward stroke to help open Lorna up further, ready to accept more. Slender hips canted back to meet her thrusts, welcoming the intrusion with gusto as warm lips painted whispered promises of more to come over the redhead's naked back.
"Lift your hips up for me," Sam instructed throatily, easing her pace to allow the older woman space to manoeuvre herself into the desired position. When Lorna was on her knees, Sam smoothed her hand up her spine, encouraging her to lower her top half back down to the mattress, leaving the older woman open and completely available. "I could get used to this, having you at my mercy, taking you, filling you, leaving you in no doubt about how I feel about you." Sam punctuated her words with deep, long pushes into the sodden core her fingers were buried in.
"Fuck, yes," Lorna whined, relishing the tender yet thorough shagging she was being subjected to. As she felt a third finger press into her, she hissed out a breath cautioning Sam to give her a moment to adjust. The angle and breadth of the intrusion into her sensitive vagina felt wonderfully tight and full. The last time she had been taken in such a fashion was with James, one evening when he had walked in on her semi-undressed retrieving an earring from where it had rolled under her bedside cabinet and promptly rid both himself and her of the clothing impeding his access before pushing his entire length inside her. But even that experience, as fulfilling as it had ended up being, had felt like it was his pleasure which was paramount. Sam was making adjustments whenever she felt Lorna react, increasing motions which elicited positive responses and immediately ceasing any which appeared to cause discomfort. It made her feel safe and loved and completely at ease with letting Sam have free reign to express her desire. "I'm yours, Sam. You feel incredible inside me."
Sensing that any attempts at greater penetration would be permitted but not necessarily welcomed, Sam instead opted to snake her free hand around Lorna's hip, moving with her to seek out her lover's clitoris. She placed two of her fingers either side of the distended nub and milked it in tandem with her thrusts, using her thigh to offer additional power, driving her deeper still into the sodden core. The move was met with desperate mewls of pleasure from the flame haired woman beneath her. It made Sam feel powerful, masterful and all at once completely in awe of the trust being placed in her. It suddenly had her yearning to be face to face with her lover, to lock eyes with her as she coaxed her over that final precipice and into the abyss of her orgasm beyond.
"Lorna, sweetheart, turn onto your back for me. I want to see you. I want to watch you as you come. I need to see your face," Sam explained almost pleadingly. The request warmed Lorna's heart as well as making it beat just a little faster still and she willingly and swiftly complied. As soon as their limbs were organised, she felt Sam dive back inside her, three fingers resuming their pace and power. The new position allowed Sam to utilise her thumb to stimulate Lorna's clit, leaving her other hand free to tease the sensitive, pliant flesh of her lover's moderate breasts. As Lorna's arousal climbed ever higher towards its crescendo, Sam leaned forward onto her elbow, placing a series of kisses along the strong, proud jawline beneath her. "You are so gorgeous," Sam murmured, taking in the flushed tint to her lover's skin, the dilated pupils and heaving chest.
"Sam, I'm going to…." Lorna's words were cut off as the breath was stolen from her lungs when her orgasm hit swiftly and devastatingly hard. She bowed at the waist, torso hauling off the mattress as far as the space between their bodies would allow, her mouth wide open in a silent scream, as she tucked her face onto the crook of Sam's shoulder where it met her neck. A second wave washed over her as Sam continued to massage her internal walls, stoking the fires and prolonging her ecstasy. Her lungs expanded allowing her to suck in a hoarse breath before she let it out again in a keening wail of tortured pleasure.
As she slowly became aware of Sam stroking her face, a slow, satisfied smile crept over her lips and she sighed contentedly as she settled back against the mattress, occasional aftershocks still emanating from her core.
"Wow," the redhead purred, unleashing a mirthful chuckle. "I think we might meet a few raised eyebrows in the morning. There'll be no denying what just went on in here! It's probably a good thing we don't need to worry about the neighbours!"
Sam laughed along with her lover, feeling more lighthearted and carefree than she had any business being given their current situation. "I'll apologise to Katie if I must but I'm not sorry for showing you just how much I care about you, or how damned attracted to you I am."
"I shouldn't wonder if noise cancelling earphones won't be the next of her requests," Lorna jested. "Maybe Keith might like some too," she continued, referring to the MI5 agent stationed with them to ensure their continued safety. The two women shared a wry smile, caring far less about his discomfort than the teenage girl's. "What time is it anyway?" Lorna asked, eyes beginning to droop as her fatigue set in once again.
"Ummm just after two o'clock," Sam admitted sheepishly. "Sorry, I couldn't resist you. We should get some sleep."
"But you…" the redhead began only to be cut off by fingers on her lips.
"...are fine, still contentedly sated from earlier and renewed by having brought you some pleasure in return," her lover assured her.
"Oh, you definitely did that!" Lorna exclaimed, pulling Sam into her side and using her free hand to yank the covers back over their naked bodies. "At least we have no reason to get up early. We can catch up on our sleep...or other things," she suggested saucily earning her another chuckle even as Sam's hand drifted to cup a bountiful breast. When Lorna groaned, the sound not entirely convincing Sam her attentions were welcome at such a late (or early) hour, she contented herself to just hold the fleshy mound, snuggling in close and dropping a sweet kiss to the closest bare shoulder.
"I may have left you a little reminder of tonight's antics on your derriere," Sam confessed quietly, remembering how a deep red mark had blossomed after a particularly amorous nip to her right buttock. "Sorry," she shrugged, only marginally contrite.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll have great fun getting my own back for that," Lorna grinned, already feeling the other woman's weight settling against her more solidly. "Night night, sweetheart. Sweet dreams," she murmured, allowing her own eyes to close and sleep to envelope her once more.
"Morning honey, how are you feeling? You feeling good about going in again today?" Lucy asked as Jo came into the lounge, fastening her bandana around her head.
"Yeah, I am, as long as DC Walker minds her own business and doesn't try any more of her antics today," Jo stated firmly. She was tired but she wasn't about to show it and she was more determined than ever that she would manage to do her three hours for the day. "I'm going to tell the DI today that I'm going for my Sergeant's exams. I was thinking about it when I woke up in the early hours of the morning and my brain kicked in before I could get back to sleep. I've absolutely nothing to lose but potentially so much to gain. And I can use the studying to distract me while I'm having my treatments so it's a win-win really."
"Oh Jo, that's brilliant. I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. Honestly, I think this is exactly what you need; a goal to focus on and to aim for. Between that and planning the wedding, you're going to have so many reasons to stick around that this cancer doesn't stand a chance." The brunette wrapped the taller woman in a firm yet gentle embrace, pouring into it all the love, adoration and admiration she felt in that moment for her brave fiancée.
"Damn right, it can kiss my backside. I'm too young and have too much I want to do yet for any stinking cancer or any disease to take me anywhere. What do you say we go out somewhere tonight? Dinner at a restaurant, my treat, as a tiny thank you for all your support and patience with me. I know I can be a nightmare and a miserable sod at times but I don't ever want you to think I don't appreciate all that you're doing for me." Jo pressed a series of kisses to the head tucked beneath her chin.
"That sounds wonderful. Unnecessary but wonderful. As long as you won't be too tired to enjoy it too," Lucy cautioned.
"I promise I'll take a nap when I get home and then I'll be in fine fettle for our date. We've not had chance to celebrate our engagement yet and I say it's high time we do something about that." The DC tucked a bundle of wayward curls behind her partner's ear, cupping her cheek tenderly and ducking to capture her lips in a sensuous kiss.
"I'll book us a table while you're working. Anywhere in particular you have in mind?" the shorter woman enquired as they broke apart, a beaming smile lighting up her attractive face.
"Anywhere I can gaze at you and eat pleasant food will suit me just fine," Jo replied happily. "I love you, Lucy."
"I love you too, babe. Remind me to thank DI Manson for planting the seed in your head about your Sergeant's exams. It seems to have been just the catalyst you needed. And I know it won't necessarily be all plain sailing and blue sky days from now on, I don't ever want you to feel like you have to project that even when you're feeling lousy, but I do think that this has really helped you to believe in a future that you have some control over." The auburn-haired detective considered Lucy's words carefully, finding significant merit in their wisdom.
"I do believe you may have a point there," she conceded graciously. "I'll be sure to let DI Manson know you approve!" she added cheekily.
"And I'm sure he'll be entirely unmoved by that nugget of information," Lucy rejoined with a wry smile. "Now let's get you to work before you're late and he rescinds the offer of you applying for those Sergeant's exams."
The two women pulled up in front of Sun Hill police station, surprised to find a horde of reporters and news crews outside jostling for space and attention. Jo indicated for Lucy to pull further down the road so that she could slip inside through the yard and avoid the scrutiny of the gathered Press. Once inside, she accosted the first reliable source of information she could find, who just happened to be PC Beth Green.
"What's with the pack of vultures outside?" she asked without preamble.
"Actually, the collective noun for a group of vultures is a committee, a kettle if they're in flight and a wake if they're feeding on a carcas," Reg Hollis supplied from his place beside the young PC Green, his partner for the day. Rolling her eyes, Jo was about to ask again when Beth jumped in and helpfully spared her the trouble.
"DS Turner was brought in last night by Mickey and Grace. He was spotted on the wrong side of a bridge safety railing by an off-duty paramedic. He and a bunch of strangers held onto DS Turner to stop him from jumping until police and ambulance could get there. He's been whisked off by MI5 now but that don't stop the Press from hanging round wanting their pound of flesh."
Jo thanked the young officer, her footsteps carrying her more swiftly towards the CID offices as she felt like this could be a crucial break in the case. If Stuart was alive and in custody, he could help shed more light on the cogs they needed to dismantle to ensure the destruction of this whole perverted network and cease their sickening activities once and for all. She could only hope that some tiny sliver of humanity still flickered within him and that he would assist in the investigation.
"Ah morning Jo, you look like you're up to speed with developments," Jack called to her as he spotted her arriving. "So far, it doesn't sound like he's giving them much but it's early days yet. The Stuart we know is all about self-preservation so with the right motivation, I'm sure he'll soon start talking."
"Hopefully so Guv," Jo replied earnestly. Any further conversation was cut short as the doors to CID swung open and Angie strutted out.
"Morning, nice of you to join us," she sneered, oblivious to the DCI's presence in the doorway to his own office. Jo flicked a look at him which stayed any objection he might have raised on her behalf, indicating in a nanosecond that she not only could but that she was more than willing to fight her own battle.
"What is your problem with me? Since I came back yesterday, you've insulted me, lied to me, tried to palm your work off onto me and insinuated I'm only capable of making your drinks. Why is that? I'm willing to give anyone a chance, to get to know them, but you seem to have a stick shoved so far up your arse, it's giving you brain damage! I've been off with cancer, not swinging the lead. I didn't shave my head for the fun of it and I'd rather be in here finding that missing little boy than in a chemo suite being pumped full of toxic waste in the hope it won't kill me faster than the cancer so either get off my case and let's make a fresh start or keep out of my face and don't speak to me at all unless you have no other choice."
Angie glared at the other woman, a muscle working furiously in her jaw as she sought to tamp down on her ire. "You were up in court for witness tampering, stalking and making a woman's life a misery and yet you walk back in here yesterday and everyone greets you like you're the bleedin' Messiah. I've heard nothing but how shit I am compared to the mighty Jo and frankly so far, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Your Northern 'charm' may have won over the sycophants in there but I'm not so easily swayed nor distracted from the fact that you allowed your personal feelings for a witness to jeopardise a case."
"You do realise that that whole thing was fabricated right? That it was thrown out of court because I could prove that not one shred of it was true. Susanne Lord was petrified of her boyfriend after a sustained campaign of physical and psychological abuse. He made contact with her prior to the trial in an attempt to intimidate her into backing out of testifying against him. When she refused to comply, only he knows what the Hell he said to her that convinced her to leave that note before she committed suicide but the Judge himself determined that Braxton, the boyfriend, might as well have put the noose round her neck. So instead of listening to idle gossip, you might want to start with cold hard facts. I sincerely hope you approach your work better than your interpersonal relationships. Now if you don't mind, I have a job to do and so do you. A little boy is potentially relying on you to bring him to safety, personally, I'd be so focused on that, nothing else would even enter my head in your position." And with that, Jo turned on her heel and stalked into the office, leaving a suitably stunned DC Walker in her wake. Jack merely closed his door firmly, not feeling the need to add to his subordinate's dressing down of her colleague but wanting it known the exchange had been overheard. Sitting down at his desk, he picked up Angie's personnel file before reaching for his telephone. It was time to do some serious, if subtle, digging into the obtuse woman's background. Trust was a hard to come back commodity at present and the young DC was not showing any signs that she deserved theirs. He needed to know if she was merely inept at dealing with colleagues or whether there was a viper in their midst.
As always, thanks for reading. Feedback is always appreciated. Hope you didn't find this too graphic/unsexy etc and that you'll tune in for the next installment (not promising I can have it up as quickly as this one but am hoping to capitalise on my muse being inspired by this tale for the time being!)