We Could Be Heroes
Chapter 3
DCI Gene Hunt arrived at the office long before anyone one else. He needed some time to think. There were lots of things going on he didn't really understand, couldn't get his head round. When that happened he usually just got pissed, but even he thought 8am was a bit early. Took his coat off, then for some time stared out through the blinds of the window. It was just getting light, a cold, damp London morning.
"Bugger" he said under his breath. Taking the Scotch out of the filing cabinet, he poured himself definitely more than a large one. It was sunk in 2 swift mouthfuls.
The others started to arrive. Carling noticed, the Guv already sat in his office, whisky bottle on the desk. This didn't look great for the rest of the day. The Guv needs to get laid, he thought. There was young female PC started on the front desk. Bit of a slapper, but nice 'personality' thinking more about her tits, than her mind, perhaps he'd have a word.
Hunt came out into the main office.
"Right listen up you lot, we need to find out as much new information as possible on this banker Markham, and that bastard Layton. New contacts, new haunts, most of all where they're hiding out. If they have a shit I want to know about it, ok?"
"Yes Guv" came back the replies.
Hunt stared at the white board, it did help, one of Bolly Kecks good ideas. She did have one or 2 he thought! Not his only thoughts, but that was the one clean one.
Hunt went back in his office, waiting for the new DS to appear. Another Scotch will pass the time he thought.
In the main office Carling's phone rang.
"DI Carling" he just listened
"Ok, I'll tell the Guv, but he ain't gonna be happy. Keep us updated"
Carling knocked on Hunt's office door, and entered.
"You're not gonna like this Guv" Now what, Hunt thought.
"Steve Taylor has been killed"
"How do you mean killed?"
"Well he's dead Guv"
"Yes, I bloody know what killed means, but he was in our custody, then being transported to prison"
"The meat wagon, was hijacked on motorway, 4 cars with armed bastards, they shot a copper too, but sounds like he should be ok. All wearing balaclavas, and cars with false plates"
"Christ they went to some trouble to stop Taylor saying anymore. The other prisoner?"
"They took him Guv"
"Someone knows we're on to them, but how?"
"Unless they just put 2 and 2 together Guv, or just worried he may squeal, without knowing he already had"
"Ok thanks Raymondo, maybe we are still one step ahead" Hunt poured another large Scotch, and downed that one too. Then gave the filing cabinet a hefty kick. It wasn't even mid morning yet...
Hunt sat back down, waiting... Blind two thirds of the way down on the door, so he could still keep an eye on his team, and any arrivals.
The main office doors opened, a long Beige leather coat, and black pair of cocky trousers walked through them. Hunt couldn't see the face, but he knew in an instant who it was. The trousers approached the office door. Carling watched, nodded, said nothing. Before the new arrival could knock, Hunt had opened the office door, grabbed the cocky bastard by the jacket lapels, taking him off his feet, dragging him into the office. Slamming the office door behind them both, with a swift kick. Everyone in main office just looked at each other. Carling and Terry just knowingly smiled, they had a single thought.
Hunt pinned Litton to filing cabinet, with a thud.
"Welcome to my world Litton"
"I don't know why your here, I don't care"
"Couple of things, I'm the law here. I'm judge, jury, and executioner, don't you ever bloody forget it"
Litton's pulse was racing, he hadn't been quite prepared for this. He should of known better, he knew Hunt's reputation well. They had plenty of history.
Hunt released him. Litton straightened his tie, and jacket.
"Look Hunt" Litton sputtered.
"Guv to you Litton" Hunt snapped
"I'm on your side, I'm not a nancy from Hyde. I play by your rules, the old ways, you know that"
"Long as you stick to that Litton we'll get on fine"
Hunt's phone rang. He snatched the receiver up.
"Hunt, now is not a good time" he snapped
"Guv" a distressed quiet voice came back, then the line went dead.
Hunt sat down, physically shaken. What's going on, he thought. He was struggling to cope with all this. He sank another Scotch. That voice...
"Are you ok Guv, bit early for that" Litton said, regretting it the moment it left his lips.
"When I want your bloody advice, I'll ask for it, now piss off out of my sight Litton" Hunt barked.
Litton opened the office door, the door everyone was staring at. They'd heard it all, it was difficult not to. Hunt got up, followed him out the office.
"What?" Hunt scowled at them. They all looked away, carried on with what they were doing. No one spoke. No one dared to.
"Carling, brief DS Litton on what's going down"
"Yes Guv"
Hunt retreated back to his office, slammed the door. Went back to staring out the window. I've really had enough today, he thought. He grabbed his coat. Swung open the office door, storming out through main office.
"Anyone want me, I'll be at Cartwright's getting pissed"
They all looked at each other. Hunt's dark moods were starting to worry some of them, more than usual anyway. Carling looked at Terry, nodded no, thinking Hunt was probably better left on his own for a while. Litton said nothing, but was starting to wonder what was really going on here, although he knew why he was here.
Carling was never sure about Derek Litton. He heard many stories, good, bad, and ugly, the man liked to cross the line often to get results, but then so did the Guv. But basically he'd heard he was a good copper, albeit bit of a maverick, but slippery as wet haddock. Carling started to brief Litton, who, what, where and why.
"Who is this nasty looking bastard?" Lytton asked, although he had a pretty good idea.
"Arthur Layton, we've had several dealings in the past"
"I saw him today!"
"Yeah, really. It's no good lying to impress the Guv, he'll put your knackers in a vice, when he finds out"
"No, seriously, I saw him today!" Hoping Carling would believe him.
"Think we better go find the Guv"
"Is that wise?" Litton asked cautiously.
"He'll want to know this, I'll come back, and collect you in a bit, there's something I need to sort before we go. It may help the Guv's mood"
Carling came back, looking pleased with himself.
"Right Litton, Cartwright's"
They arrived to find the Guv sat in the corner, the only company, a bottle of Scotch. Carling ordered couple pints. Hunt really did not want to see anyone, especially Litton...
"Just piss off both of you, can't a man have a quiet drink, on his own" Hunt barked at both of them.
"Guv, you'll want to hear this, I promise" Carling said, really hoping Litton wasn't lying.
George brought over the pints. Litton, and George looked at each other, recognition flashed across both of their faces. Litton just couldn't remember why, but it would come back to him, he was sure. George walked back to the bar, why here, why now, Derek bloody Litton, he thought. Memories flooding back, and not good ones.
"Litton saw Layton today..." Carling started. Litton interrupted, and carried on.
"I came past railway arches today Guv, on way to office, avoid traffic in town"
Litton wasn't sure how to carry on, this had to sound good. He paused, took several swigs of his pint.
"Spit it out Litton, haven't got all bloody day. You're wasting valuable drinking time" Hunt snapped.
"I saw Jim Keats talking to someone, Keats looked a bloody mess, like he was living rough. I saw the man he was talking to on the board in the office, Arthur Layton"
Hunt sobered up that quick, it even shocked him. Carling was trying to take on board what Litton had just said.
"Keats, no bloody way" Carling said convinced.
"You are kidding me. If it's load of bollocks..." said Hunt a bit shocked.
"It's not bollocks Guv, on my life" Litton needed to convince Hunt.
"Oh it will be, if you're lying to me Litton" Hunt said nodding.
Hunt lit a cigarette, trying to sort all the thoughts in his head. Taylor dead, Keats, Layton, the phone call. All needed to wait till tomorrow, when his head was a bit clearer. Hunt looked up recognizing the bird that had just walked in. Skirt any shorter, and he'd be able see what she had for breakfast. Decent pair of puppies Carling thought.
"Is that the new PC from front desk Raymondo" Hunt asked, not really that interested. He could always spot a slapper.
"Blimey" Litton exclaimed, things are looking up he thought.
"Yes Guv, nice personality" Carling said, cupping his hands in the shape of pair of tits! They all laughed.
"Come on Litton, we've got work to do" Carling downing rest of his pint.
"Really, can't it wait" Litton hoped.
"No it can't. We'll leave you to it, catch up tomorrow Guv"
They both headed up the stairs.
"What you up to Carling" Litton asked.
"Hopefully improving the Guv's mood, you'll thank me later Litton"
She wandered over to where Hunt was sitting.
"Can I join you"
"It's a free country, sit where you want" Hunt snapped.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for, hard day, top up?"
"That would be nice"
"George, bottle of Red"
"I'm Cheryl, just started on front desk at Met. I've heard lot about you DCI Hunt"
"Not all good I hope" Hunt smiled nervously. Not even offering his hand to continue the introduction.
Cheryl couldn't believe her luck when DI Carling approached her, said he had a job for her, bit of overtime, as such. She'd noticed DCI Hunt around at the station. What female hadn't? They couldn't help but notice the eyes, the strong brooding looks, the broad shoulders, the way he walked. He kept himself very much to himself, bit of an enigma. Definitely sex on legs she thought, all 6ft of him. George brought the wine over. Topped up Cheryl's glass.
"Anything else?" George asked
"That's fine George thanks" Hunt suddenly feeling the need to escape.
They sat and talked about nothing really, well Cheryl did, on, and on, and on. Hunt wasn't even listening, his mind elsewhere. Cheryl finally noticed his total lack of interest. New tactics were called for. Cheryl put her hand on Gene's leg, under the table. He jumped that much, his knee banged the table, knocking over the wine, all over Cheryl.
"Shit!" he exclaimed.
"Sorry, I'll get you a taxi, and a cloth" suddenly a way out, Hunt thought.
"It's ok, I'm only round the corner"
"I'll walk you home then" why did I say that, Hunt thought. He was never confident in company of females, give him a scum bag with a sawn off any day.
Hunt grabbed his coat, they walked up the stairs into the night air. They walked side by side down the street, not talking.
A desperate figure stood in the shadows, just past the door, watching them walk up the road together. The figure turned around, walked away, now more desperate than ever.
Hunt and Cheryl reached her door.
"Would you like a coffee, or something else maybe" Cheryl flirted, and hoped.
"No thanks, I don't sleep with slappers sweetheart"
"You're a rude, ignorant, conceited bastard Hunt. Tell Carling I still want paying"
"As your superior officer, I'll forget you said that, well except the bit about Carling" Knackers, and vice came to mind.
Hunt continued the walk home, what a bloody day...