We Could Be Heroes

Chapter 4

DCI Hunt dragged himself into the office, long after all the others had turned in. Coming through the main doors, Carling thought the Guv looked rough as a Badgers arse. That's exactly how Hunt felt. Carling was hoping last night's plan was the reason why.
"Carling, office, now" Hunt growled.
Shit, Carling thought, perhaps it hadn't gone too well. Litton, and Terry just smiled, knowing Carling's knackers were about to go in a vice.
Hunt slammed his office door behind them both, pulled down the blinds.
"If you ever do that to me again Carling, I will dance the bloody fandango on your ugly mug, is that clear?" Hunt growled loudly, so loudly it made his hungover head hurt.
"Sorry Guv, I just thought..."
"Well don't" Hunt snapped.
"I have yet to decide your fate, don't think you've heard the last of this. Get out of my sight"
Carling retreated from Hunt's office, thinking that actually went better than it might of. The Guv was obviously not feeling well!

Hunt hung his coat up, had a large hair of the dog. Then went out to the main office.

"Right listen up you lot. Taylor who gave us Markham as an ID, was shot, and killed while being transported to prison. We know from previous, Markham is linked to drugs, and could be linked to Layton again. DS Litton seems to think he saw Layton at railway arches yesterday, talking to, of all people Jim Keats. Things are getting pretty tasty round here. We need to focus. Find out exactly what all these bastard scum bags are up to. I need surveillance at the railway arches. DS Litton, take Terry with you. Don't think Layton knows either of you, how wrong could Hunt be. Keep out of bloody sight whatever. Carling, with me. We're going to see what we can find out about Taylor's demise"

The Super popped his head through the office door.

"We're having problems with your new DI Gene, they seem to have gone AWOL. Just thought I'd update you. We are on it though, don't worry"

Hunt nodded. Least of my bloody worries, Hunt thought.

If Carling was honest, he wasn't that keen to be spending the day, with the Guv. Waiting for a punishment he knew would eventually come, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. He knew the Guv wouldn't forget. I'd been a real twonk, Carling thought.

They went to the hospital to see the copper who'd been shot, while escorting Taylor. He was being kept in for observation. Drew a blank there. Same info as before, balaclavas, no ID on gunmen.

DS Litton, and Terry, sat in the back of an old Ford Transit. It was cold, damp, and stank. No sign of anyone yet.

"What's with Hunt lately" Litton asked, trying to get any info that may help his cause.

Terry just shrugged his shoulders. He worshipped the ground the Guv walked on. He had noticed a change in the Guv these past few months, darker moods, and more often, but he wouldn't discuss it with anyone, except maybe Ray, but especially not DS Derek bloody Litton. Terry thought he may have an ulterior motive for turning up at the Met, and he was going to watch the Guv's back, just in case.

"Guv, Litton here, Guv?"

"Go ahead Litton"

"Keats has just turned up"

"Ok, do nothing, just observe"

Well bugger me sideways, the Guv thought. He was really hoping it was Keats that Litton had spotted before. Hunt had been waiting for revenge, and it was best served cold, and severe.

Keats looked different from last time Terry saw him. His overcoat was filthy, torn. His hair plastered to his head. Looked like not washed for months. Litton owed Keats one, his hate for Keats had not lessened over time, but knew keeping his enemies close was the best bet. Keats was the one big thing Litton, Carling and Hunt all had in common, besides wine, women, and battering bastard scum! Their hatred for Keats. Litton was hoping he'd get 2 birds with one stone, so to speak, Keats, and Hunt.

"Litton, what's he doing" asked Hunt impatiently.

"Nothing Guv, just hanging about. Seems bloody nervous. Hang on..."

Suddenly a Black Audi pulled up, blackened windows. Keats got in the back. It sped off. Terry made note of reg number. Also taking a few snaps for the family album!

"Litton?" Hunt barked.

"Keats just got into back of a car. Do you want us to follow?"

"No, not in that old beaten up thing. Come back to the office, forget that, let's head the other office" Need to get rid of this hangover Hunt thought.

They were no further forward than at the start of the day. We need to get things moving Hunt thought. The Merc arrived first at Cartwright's.

"Litton, Hunt here"

"Go ahead Guv"

"Make sure you park that old banger round the back"

"Yes Guv" Litton, and Terry both laughed. He had standards our Guv!

"4 of your finest please George"

"Coming up, I'll bring them over"

Carling, and Hunt went and sat in the usual corner.

"We need to get Markham in, he squealed last time, sure we can use some gentle persuasion. Without a brief present of course" Hunt said pondering.

The other 2 arrived, same time as the pints. Litton, and George just looked at each other. No expression on either face. Hunt had noticed both seemed uneasy in each others company. He hadn't introduced them, but his guts told him he didn't need to.

All 4 now seated, Hunt was starting to feel his real team returning, with one exception Litton, who the jury was still out on. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

"First job tomorrow, bring in Markham"

"Can we just bring him in Guv?" Carling asked cautiously, thinking that hadn't mattered before.

Terry spoke up. "You'll like this Guv. The car Keats got into is registered to Markham"

"Hallebloodylujah, Terry, well done. There you go, it's a start" Hunt grinned.

They all clanked their glasses together. The plan was coming together. Several more pints were downed before the others left, leaving Hunt with his thoughts. The hangover had gone. What was Keats part in all this, his gut feeling wasn't good. Keats never did anything without an evil reason. George was starting to clear up, shut for the night. Hunt picked up his coat, putting it on. Went up the stairs into the cold damp night. The desperate figure in the shadows was there again. It was now or never they thought. Hunt walked a few paces, and froze to the spot. He sensed someone behind him. Friend or foe?

"Guv" It was the voice from the phone calls...

Hunt didn't want to turn around. Was it just another dream? He'd had so many lately.

"Guv"

Hunt turned to face the voice. The figure from the shadows, walked towards him. He felt his heart physically stop, his breath taken away. He felt sick, his head in a mess. He couldn't speak, which for Gene Genie was never a problem. The figure held him so tight, and started uncontrollably sobbing. He wrapped his strong arms tightly round her, feeling her physically trembling, feeling her warmth against his chest, feeling what he'd been dreaming of everyday since he'd told her to go. His Bolly was here in his arms, at last. Gene rested his head on hers, her smell was intoxicating, more than any Scotch. Gene held her so tight, while all her dreams, turmoil, and months of depression just flooded out of her. The big brave Lion almost in tears himself, almost. Alex felt safe, and finally back home.

Hunts head cleared, as he heard George locking the bar door.

"George" Hunt called out.

"Is flat upstairs still vacant"

George slightly shocked by all that greeted him said

"Um, yes. It's a bloody mess though"

"Can we?" Hunt hoped.

"Yes of course"

Alex was still clinging tightly onto Gene, she was terrified to let go.

"Come on" Gene said, taking her hand. Alex could hardly walk down the stairs, she was shaking so much, her legs like jelly. Her head reeling. There's only one thing for it Gene thought, lifting Alex up, and carrying her up the stairs to the flat. Kicking the door open, of the flat, then the bedroom, Gene laid her gently on the bed. He really wasn't sure what to do next. He turned around. I'll let her rest he thought.

"Stay" It was just one small word, but the impact it had was huge...

Gene laid down beside Alex, both still fully clothed, on top of the covers. Alex rested her head on his chest, she could feel his warmth, his heart thundering. This is what it felt like to be alive, this was real, not where she'd been trapped for all that time. Gene wrapped his arms around her, feeling her body so close made him feel happier than he felt possible. The dark cloud that had been hanging over him for all this time, was lifting. Neither spoke. They didn't need to. They both had their own thoughts, but felt the same emotions, this is where they both felt, they belonged.

George was waiting downstairs to lock up. It dawned on him after a while, Gene wouldn't be walking back to his flat. Was this Alex Drake he wondered. He had heard so much about her. He hoped so...