We Could Be Heroes
Chapter 8
It was 1am in the morning. Alex and Ray were both trying to come to terms with what their similar nightmares meant, did they have something to do with where the Guv could be.
"I'm not going to get any sleep now, we need to be out there looking, doing something" Ray said running his hands down his face, obviously worried.
"Yes you're right. We need to focus. The Guv needs us" They both felt lost without him. How would the Guv handle this? He wouldn't be sitting about.
"I think we need to get Litton locked up maam, get him out of the way, he's a bloody liability, a slippery liability"
"Yes I agree, do you want the honours?"
"My pleasure, maam"
"Alex, just Alex" said Alex smiling at Ray. She'd seen him in a different light, she could see he was worried sick. He wasn't such a neanderthal after all. He worshipped the ground the Guv walked on, her Guv. She started to well up again, trying so hard not to think the worst.
Carling headed downstairs, over to where Litton was laying on the bench seat, kicking him in the side. Litton jumped up. The noise woke up Terry.
"What the... you unhinged bastard Carling?"
"I'm arresting you for attempted murder of Tony Anderson, whatever you say, oh bugger it, you're bloody nicked Litton" Carling barked, while pinning Litton to the bench, cuffing him.
George had heard all the commotion, appearing behind the bar.
"You bastard, I remember you now, you'll regret this Cartwright" Litton said furious, trying to get out of Carling's grasp. Terry joined in hanging onto Litton.
"No. You'll be the one to regret it, if I have anything to do with it, you're going down Litton" Carling said, catching Litton solidly in the ribs, with a well aimed punch.
"Take him back Terry, lock him up"
"My pleasure" said Terry shoving Litton up the stairs. Plod were waiting in car outside, Terry shoved Litton in the back of the Panda.
"Back to the station lads" Terry said grinning. Happy days.
Alex appeared downstairs after having a freshen up, trying to appear in control. Alex joined Carling, and George sat at the bar.
"Bottle of Scotch George, sorry to wake you"
"No worries Raymondo, a day I've waited to see, and I can't sleep anyway, thinking Gene maybe out there somewhere in trouble" George said, feeling pleased Litton was under lock and key, but feeling the worst about Gene, the man he owed so much.
"What do these bloody dreams, nightmares mean Alex, they must mean something" Carling said having a slug of Scotch.
"What dreams Ray?" George enquired. He knew Sam had nightmares lately, he'd said when he rang last week, although never said what they were.
Alex started explaining, whilst running her finger round the rim of her glass, wishing the Guv was sat next to her, being his usual arrogant, bolshy self.
George suddenly looked shocked, realisation hitting him, he knew this place Alex was describing.
"Alex, these tunnels sound like one of the places I had to take the protection money, by the old railway bridge. Awful place, always cold, damp, stank of death. I can take you there"
"I could kiss you, in a manly way, of course" Carling said jumping up.
"Move Ray" Alex said, already halfway up the stairs. George grabbed a torch, following them.
They arrived at the railway bridge. No sign of the Guv's car.
"Over there" George pointing to the dark entrance.
All 3 felt physically sick when they spotted the tunnel. Their hearts were all racing, not knowing what they would find, if anything. Carling leapt out of the car, grabbing torch off George.
"Stay here, I'll go look first" said Carling taking out his Colt, checking loaded.
"I'm coming too" Alex hoped.
"No" Carling said firmly.
"Alex, stay here, we have no idea what's down there. George stay with her" Carling was worried what he may find, he wanted to protect Alex as much as he possibly could.
"I'll call on radio when I know it's all ok, or if I need back up" Alex was torn between just ignoring Ray, and also terrified what they may find if she did.
Carling got to the entrance of the tunnel, there wasn't a sound. It stank of death, rats piss, and damp. It was so cold, dark.
"Alex I'm going in"
"Roger" Alex replied, physically shaking. George put his hand on her shoulder, to comfort her.
Ray put on the torch, moving the beam from side to side of the tunnel, only stopping to listen. There was nothing except the occasional rat scuttling. Suddenly in the beam there was what looked like a bundle of old clothes, spread out. As he got closer he realised it was the Guv, laying flat out, motionless.
"Oh god" he said under his breath, heart pounding, feeling physically sick. He knelt next to him, Gene looked white, and frail, unrecognisable. He could see the Guv had been shot in the chest. There was a faint smell of Scotch, mingled with blood.
"Guv, guv" Ray said, trying desperately to find a pulse.
"Nooooo" Ray shouted angrily. Outside Alex, and George heard him, both running to where the shout came from. Carling suddenly thought he could feel a slight pulse, so slight. Alex, and George appeared. Alex falling to her knees next to Ray, picking up Gene's hand, it was so cold, the strongest of hands felt so lifeless.
"George, get a bloody Ambulance, wait outside for it. Take Alex's radio"
"Think there's a slight pulse, feel here" Ray directing Alex's finger.
"Yes, yes" Alex said praying. Alex laid her head on Gene's chest, there was such a faint heartbeat, almost nothing at all. He felt so cold, his face damp, his hair matted. Ray took off his jacket covering them both.
"Don't you bloody dare Gene Hunt, don't you leave me now" Alex said, hoping for some sort of response.
"Where's this bloody Ambulance George" Ray shouted down the radio.
"Just arrived. I'm bringing them down"
Gene was placed in the back of the Ambulance.
"I'm going with him" Alex said, starting to climb in the back.
"We'd rather you just followed on madam" said the jobs worth Ambulance driver.
"I'd let her go with him, unless you want a broken nose mate" Ray suggested. Alex, not surprisingly, was allowed to join Gene in the back. Again she took Gene's hand, just talking to him. Ray, and George followed on behind the Ambulance. Ray radioed Terry the news
"We've found the Guv" he didn't add in what state.
"You've found the Guv?" Terry replied, not believing it. There was a cheer in the background, as officers at the station heard Terry's reply.
Keats had taken Hunt's car, headed to Litton's. Litton knew way too much, been in on the plan since the start. Keats had Hunt's Magnum, and could think of nothing better to serve his so called justice with. Keats was furious to find him not at his flat, totally trashing the place in a rage. Wiped all his prints off Litton's gun, leaving it on the side, to be found. It wasn't the result he really wanted, but stitching Litton up for Gene Hunt's death was a start. Everyone knew Litton hated Hunt. The Merc needed getting rid of now, there was some waste land nearby, ideal place to torch it, and Keats loved a good fire. As he started to leave, it crossed him mind to really secure a murder conviction he'd leave Hunts Magnum too. He only wanted it to execute Litton anyway. Excellent, he thought, laughing wickedly to himself, what a plan, foolproof.
The Ambulance arrived at the hospital. Alex didn't want to leave Gene's side. He was wheeled on a trolley to room on his own, Matron had seen to that.
"Sorry DI Drake, we need you to stay out here while we make DCI Hunt comfortable. Soon as we've done, you can sit with him" the Matron said.
Alex, and Ray sat outside. Ray had his arm round Alex's shoulder.
"He'll be fine, the Guv will be fine" Ray said, repeating it, as if to convince himself. They both could see how bad he really was, but they knew he had constitution of an Ox, a bloody stubborn Ox. The doctor appeared.
"You can see him now. He's been extremely lucky, he's had single bullet shot to chest, deflected away from his heart, by a whisky flask, nonetheless. The bullet went straight through, missing all the vital organs. He has lost a lot of blood, and his temperature needs raising slowly, the next 24 hrs will be crucial. His body has shut down to protect him. Just keep talking to him, touching him, it will really help. DCI Hunt obviously has the heart of a Lion, to still be with us" Carling, and Alex already knew that.
Alex took Gene's hand. Gene looked so vulnerable, tubes everywhere, machines. This all brought back so many memories, somewhere she'd never thought Gene would be, somewhere she never wanted to see him. How could all this be happening, she'd come back to get her Guv, she just couldn't lose him now. Ray wasn't really sure what to do now, he also knew lots needed sorting back at the station, but he didn't want to leave Alex.
"Do you want a coffee Alex?" Alex just nodded. Ray thought he'd go outside too, radio the station, sort some things.
As Ray went through the swing doors into corridor, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Walking down the corridor was George, just dropping couple of people off, people that Ray thought he'd never see again.
"Well bugger me, as I live and breathe, Sam bloody Tyler, and plonk Cartwright"
"Raymondo you old bugger" Sam said shaking Ray's hand firmly, and fondly, and putting his arm round Ray's back.
"Now, now Dorothy" Ray said laughing. Annie gave Ray such a hug.
"How's the Guv" Annie asked, worried what the answer may bring,
"Bloody lucky to still be here, but he's a stubborn bastard, and fighting, Alex is sat with him"
"DI Drake Alex?" Sam couldn't believe it. The Guv in his own dramatic style was bringing everyone back together.
"I've brought something damn site better than a coffee Alex" Alex turned round to see Sam, and Annie stood there. Hugs, and tears all round. Ray tried to be the macho one, but even he had a tear, something in his eye.
"Sam Tyler, I can't believe it, after all this time, you look so well, and Annie, heard so much about you. How did you know about the Guv" Alex said
"George phoned. He told me about the nightmares you, and Ray had, he knew I'd had the same. George explained that's how you found the Guv. None of it makes any sense, does it ever, but the Guv has always been there for us, it's obviously our time to all be here for him" Sam said with a smile.
"Cartwright's, oh God, how didn't I realise that one!" Alex said starting to laugh.
"George is my nephew" Annie smiled
"Aunty Annie" Sam said grinning, they all laughed.
"Can we leave you ladies to it? I could do with hand back at the station DI Tyler, if you're up for it"
"Lead the way DS Carling" Sam smiled.
"DI now!"
"Well congratulations"
Annie, and Alex were well into conversation, they had so much to catch up on, so many questions. Gene was starting to hear voices, women's voices, going on, and on, and on...
Meanwhile Keats had driven Hunt's car to the wasteland over back of the railway. He was revelling in watching it burn, it had all gone to plan.
Carling briefed Tyler, or tried to, as they headed back to station. It was all a bit much to take on board, and who was bloody Keats, Tyler thought. Whoever he was he'd gone great lengths to finish off the Guv, Sam already really hated him, without even meeting him. A radio call came in from Terry.
"Carling, think you need to come to Litton's"
They arrived at Litton's to find the place trashed, door lock broken.
"Think you need to see this Carling" Terry showed him the guns, one was Litton's police issue, the other Hunt's Magnum.
"Plod completed a search of the tunnel, found the bullet that shot Hunt, police issue" Terry said, bagging Litton's gun only.
"None of this makes sense. We were with Litton, then he was put in custody" but as Carling spoke it dawned on him.
"Oh shit, I bet that bastard Litton gave Keats his gun that day at the warehouse. Keats used it to shoot the Guv, making sure it was police issue, could be traced back to Litton, perhaps coming back here to deal with Litton too, and setting Litton up for the Guv's murder, but Litton, fortunately for him, was with us"
"Reports of a car on fire, wasteland just round back from here, sounds like it's the Guv's Merc" relayed Terry.
"Keats the bastard, come on" Carling said, as they headed out of Litton's, one of them grabbing Hunt's Magnum.
Terry had already called couple plod cars, as back up. They all arrived at edge of wasteland. Carling pointing them various directions, to cover, to circle the car, and the figure stood by the flames. Before Carling had chance to give any further directions, a single shot rang out, a bullet hitting Keats straight in the back of the head. Keats dropped to his knees, then partly falling into the flames of the Merc.
"Who fired, who bloody fired. I didn't give any order to shoot" Carling shouted down the radio. Complete silence came back,
Everyone came out from their cover points, all looking at each other. Carling walked up to Keats, gave him a hefty kick, and another. Tyler, and Terry grabbed him.
"Enough Ray, he's dead, it's over" As they walked away the Merc exploded into flames, totally engulfing Keats.
Hunt's Magnum was found by plod as they were heading back to the Panda, they handed it to DI Carling, who cleaned any prints off without anyone seeing, then bagging it. The gun had been fired, but no one had to know who by, he thought. This ends here.
"Think I need a bloody drink, pub?" Tyler, and Terry agreed "pub"
Carling was first into Cartwright's to be greeted by the sight of Chris and Shaz.
"Oh bloody hell, all the reprobates return" Ray said grinning. Hugs, smiles, and laughter rattled all round Cartwright's. The Guv's team was complete.
"How's the Guv" Shaz asked, holding her breath.
"He's one lucky bastard. Anyone else would of snuffed it, not the Guv" said Carling feeling more hopeful, now all the Guv's team had returned, all returned for that one reason.
Sam said what they were all thinking
"It's not right drinking here without the Guv, without the crap one liners, without the attitude"
"If the Guv can't come to the pub, we'll take the pub to the Guv" said George.
"Now that sounds like a plan" Ray agreed. They all nodded in total agreement.
They all piled into the Guv's hospital room, couple bottles scotch, and several of red wine, even a bottle of Bolly, just in case. Chairs were absconded from various places. Alex, and Annie, didn't look at all surprised, it seemed an obvious thing to do. Alex hadn't left Gene's side, she thought on occasions there was some sort of recognition from him, when they were talking. His colour had slowly returned, he wasn't so pale, his hands were warmer. All good signs, Alex thought, hoped. They all started chatting, laughing loudly, catching up, going over the old times. The matron entered, the place went quiet.
"We only normally let 2, maybe 3 visit at one time, and they have to be quiet"
They all looked at each other, feeling the party might be over.
"But as DCI Gene Hunt is the patient, such a lovely handsome young man, I'll pretend I've not noticed you all here, just keep the noise down"
They all nodded, accepting they'd been bollocked.
"Blimey, you don't think the Guv...?" Carling asked surprised. They all laughed, then a quiet husky voice said
"No Raymondo, just my reputation precedes me" They all looked Gene's way, he winked. The Guv was back. For some reason Sam felt he had to stand up, started clapping, they all stood, and joined in. A standing ovation seemed the natural response.
"Tyler, you're going Dorothy on me already" Gene said with a cheeky grin, oh God how Alex loved that smile. Her heart was racing.
"A toast, the Guv" Carling said, they all raised their glasses
"My team, un bloody breakable" the Guv said quietly, looking at everyone there, all his team. He knew why they had all returned, and he'd never be able to repay them he thought. He didn't realise that actually they were all repaying him, everyone of them. Alex leant over, to kiss him on the forehead. Gene put his arm round her back, best he could, pulling her towards him, their lips touched, and danced, for what seemed an eternity for the others watching, but just too short for them both. Sam broke the silence, by letting out a cheer, he understood what it meant for them to get together, what he'd been through with Annie. Opening the Bolly with a bang, the others joined in with a cheer, at last, they all thought. Alex knew, and definitely felt Gene had changed, and her life was about to change too.
"Where's a bloody Scotch" Gene growled, needing one desperately.
"No you can't Guv, God knows what meds you're on" Shaz said, knowing she was wasting her time.
"I've survived being bloody shot, a large Scotch won't kill me" Gene had a point they all thought. He spotted the whisky flask side of his bed.
"Oh bugger, what happened to this?"
"It saved your life Guv, deflected the bullet past your heart" Carling smiled. Gene took a slug of Scotch, god he needed that. Everyone always told him the Scotch would kill him, but he knew Scotch would save his life one day, smiling to himself. Memories of the tunnel were coming back, and he needed to rest. Matron popped her head round the door.
"I see you're back with us Mr Hunt. Sorry people, but I do think he needs to rest now" they all agreed. They were all buzzing the Guv was ok, celebrations at Cartwright's were called for.
"I'd like to stay with him" Alex said, knowing that was her place now.
They all knew that's where Alex belonged too. She'd not left his side since they'd found him. Ray had the feeling she wouldn't be leaving his side ever again. He also knew his job here was done, he'd enjoy the party tonight, tomorrow was another day for all of them...