Hi all, I know Galex haven't appeared much so far, but I thought I would leave them to enjoy their honeymoon, however here they are..they come home soon then the real fun and games start :)
Chapter 6
"...and then I thought we could go and look at those poxy gardens you so wanted to see...another red?" Gene pointed to the empty bottle of wine on his and Alex's table in the "Lobster Pot" restaurant, but Alex wasn't listening.
"Huh?"
"You haven't bin listening to word I 'ave bin saying 'ave ye?"
"Hm? Sorry Gene I was somewhere else for a moment." Alex smiled "What was it you were saying?"
"Another bottle of red...do you want one?"
Alex stared at him blankly for a brief second."Oh...no...Thank you, not in the mood. I'm still struggling with this glass. Think I've picked up a bug." She massaged her belly, it still felt as if it was on intermittent spin cycle. ",either that or too much rich food."
Gene peered at her for a closer inspection "Ye do look a little peeky Bolls, p'haps you should lay off the ice cream, this Jersey stuff sticks to ye innards more."
" I have the opposite problem at the moment...nothing is 'sticking'. I feel knackered, do you mind if we have an early night?" she really was feeling rough.
Gene waggled his eyebrows suggestively "Ye know me Bolls, never one to turn down an early night."
Alex gave him a weak smile "Sorry Gene, not in the mood for that either. All I want to do is sleep; maybe I will feel better in the morning."
Gene suddenly noticed the dark patches which had appeared under her eyes and how white Alex had become. "Ye don't look well I must say, do ye need the doctor Luv?" His concern was increasing.
"No, no I'll be fine, a good night's sleep should do it." She insisted, all she wanted was her bed.
Gene beckoned over the waiter "The bill please."
"Yessir." replied the waiter.
"and could you call a taxi, my wife doesn't feel up to the walk."
The waiter looked at Alex with concern, noting her complexion "Are you okay Madam? Was the meal satisfactory?"
"Yes thank you, it was lovely...I'm just not myself."
The waiter turned back to Gene "I'll call a taxi immediately."
"Here you are Daddy, I've cooked your favourite, Chille con carne." Maddy placed the steaming bowl in front of her father.
"Ah wonderful, just what the doctor ordered." Dr Andrews beamed at her.
Maddy sat down and unfurled her napkin and placed it on her knee, "So, how was your day? You're late home again." She tried hard to sound upbeat, but her father's demeanour told her it was anything but a good day.
The Doctor grimaced "Had a meeting with Gordon Spikings, he is not a happy man. He tried to squash the inquest on the basis of impartiality, I can't blame him."
Maddy shook her head disapprovingly "Someone somewhere must see this is farce and take action, I can't believe a case of 'sour grapes' can be allowed to continue. Makes a mockery of the judicial system, won't the Home Secretary 'do' something?"
Dr Andrews shrugged "Spikings has already tried that one, the Home Secretary doesn't see it as a problem, between you and me the big whigs see it as the perfect opportunity to get rid of the American."
Maddy frowned "American?"
"Yes, I thought you knew? Harry's partner is the American Lt James Dempsey, a real thorn in the side of the establishment. You look puzzled my dear."
Maddy did indeed look puzzled, in her mind she immediately went back to earlier that day when she careered straight into a burly American at the records office. "I didn't realise he was American...funny."
"Why funny?"
Maddy explained to her father about the events that happened at the records office and how the American had got to the files before she did.
"Silly boy!" Dr Andrews tutted ruefully "If they find out he's been meddling in the inquest they really will hang him out to dry."
"Maybe I should warn him." Maddy was now worried. "But, it does show one thing; Harry and Dempsey know that there is something going on...doesn't it?"
"Sweetheart who knows, Lt Dempsey has a reputation of sticking his nose in where it shouldn't be. He's like a terrier apparently, just won't let go."
Maddy had a plan forming in her mind "I need to talk to him, get him to return the records and take a step back. He won't do Harry any favours by getting too involved."
"Hmm, you could try, but I think your words of wisdom will fall on deaf ears...after all his neck is on the line also...if he feels he's being backed into a corner he's bound to come out fighting."
Maddy nodded understanding what her father was saying "I will go and see him tomorrow."
Much to the annoyance of the rest of CID, Leroy and Shaz sat huddled in deep conversation over the record files in Luigi's. They had been in their little cosy conflab since the other CID officers arrived.
As the night had progressed, feeling shut out, Ray and Chris had become increasingly agitated by the sight of Leroy and Shaz's private talks.
Chris, having consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, was now glowering, his eyes firmly fixed on Leroy. "What are they doing, they've bin like that all night...I swear he's trying to get into Shaz's knickers."
"I think ye right mate." Scowled Ray "Bloody Yanks are all the same, can't keep it in their trousers...and I bet he's hung like a donkey."
Chris turned to Ray and said sourly "Thanks mate, that makes me feel a hell of a lot better."
Ray took a long swig of beer, still watching Leroy "It's true what they say about black men."
"How would you know about that? How many black todgers 'ave you clocked?"
Ray gave Chris a horrified look "None! I'm no poof...I knew this ginger bird who had a taste for black blokes...said that us whites couldn't compete...Look at 'im Chris." Ray motioned in Leroy's direction "You can't compete with that. One wave of his todger in Shaz's direction and she's be all over 'im like a rash."
"You think so?" asked Chris, his insecurity rising. "Don't think he's that good looking."
"Mate, 'ave you heard a sodding word I've said? It's not 'is face she's interested in."
Chris stared aghast at his friend as his insecurity got the better of him. "No way! He's not shagging my bird." Chris thumped his pint down hard on the table and jumped up. Before Ray had time to react Chris was marching towards Leroy and Shaz's table. Ray quickly followed, but he didn't get there in time.
Chris, his face contorted in angst and fury, grabbed hold of Shaz's arm and attempted to yank her up from her seat "C'mon Shaz, time we were going."
"What! I don't think so." Shaz pulled against him in defiance.
"Hey, we're talkin'" protested Leroy as he leapt to Shaz's defence.
Chris snarled at Leroy "You've done enough talking for one day, she's coming home with me."
"No I am not!" shouted Shaz, horrified at Chris's macho display. "I will decide when to go home. What has gotten into you?"
"Nothing! 'es trying to get into you." sniped Chris, still trying desperately to tug her away from her partner. "Can't you see Shaz, 'es trying to get into ye knickers."
"What!" snapped Leroy "That's the most stoopid dumbass thing you've ever said, and that's going some for a jerk."
"You calling me a Jerk?" yelled Chris, his anger now having reached boiling point."
"Yes, you're behaving like an idiot...A JERK!" retorted Shaz "GET OFF ME!" with one hard yank from Shaz, Chris finally let go of her and squared up to Leroy, although Chris's eye line reached the top of the American's torso.
"You got it all upside down brother." Leroy tried to calm the irate Chris.
"'ave I now? Looks to me you're perving on my bird." Chris launched himself at Leroy, his fists flailing in different directions. Leroy toppled to the ground more out of surprise than due to the power of Chris.
"STOP IT, STOP IT." Yelled Shaz " RAY DO SOMETHING!"
Ray hesitated, he wasn't expecting Chris to take on the enormous Leroy and now he didn't know which one to grab first as they rolled around the floor, punches flying. Weighing up his options, he decided it was probably easier to deal with Chris than tackle Leroy.
"BASTARD!" screamed Chris as he managed to land a punch only for the blow to be reciprocated ten times harder. Chris was sent reeling backwards smack into the table sending the carefully laid out files clattering to the floor.
This gave Ray the opportunity to grab Chris, he quickly scooped his mate up and pinned his arms behind his back. "Chris, enough, he'll kill ye...and if he doesn't Shaz will."
The two men stood locked in a hard glare panting heavily, Leroy with a cut lip, Chris with a bloodied nose.
"You can be such a plonker Chris." Shaz harshly admonished as she set about picking up the scattered files with a huff.
"Well? what have you two be up to all night then?...sat here in a cosy chat?" panted Chris.
Ray noticing the files added "Yeah, what's all this bollocks?"
"Nuthin' specific, just somethin' me and Shaz are working on." Leroy kept his face neutral.
Ray let go of Chris and frowned at Leroy "You're working on a case and you haven't told me about it? I'm your DI...your boss." Leroy kept silent as Ray picked up one of the files...he read aloud "Richards, Makepeace and co?" he raised a questioning eyebrow.
A relieved grin suddenly appeared on Chris's face "He wasn't trying to get into Shaz's knickers he's trying to get into Makepeace's hahaha."
Leroy shook his head in exasperation "NO,NO,NO, just for the record you guys, I DO NOT WANT TO GET INTO ANYONE'S PANTIES! Especially Makepeace's, Dempsey would chew my head off. Sheeeesh! You brothers are sex mad." Leroy buried his head in his hands.
A small chuckle reverberated around the restaurant. Leroy emerged from his hands to find everyone smiling at him, he added with snigger "Of course, there's no telling whether Dempsey has already seen her panties...right?"
Ray put down the file he was holding and pulled out a note book from his back pocket. He quickly thumbed through the pages to find a clean page. He grinned mischievously at Leroy "What odds do ye want?"
Leroy took out his wallet and beamed "Give me 10-1 on them having already sealed the deal, here's five bucks."
"Whaaaa?" gasped Shaz "You lot are unbelievable!"
"C'mon Shaz!" they all chorused "It's only a bit of fun."
"Oh for heaven's sake!" she muttered picking up her purse "I'll have two quid then, same as Leroy."
"Welcome to the team Lt Banks, you're now a fully paid up member." Ray grinned warmly at him.
"Thanks!" smiled Leroy "Say, is SI10 involved with this?"
"Yup!" nodded Chris "Cept, their odds have been handicapped cos of their insider knowledge."
"Sounds good to me."
"SI10 have been running a book since Dempsey got here." Ray put away his book together with Leroy's fiver and Shaz's money, picked up the brown file again and waved it around "Okay, so what's occurring here then...?"
"Ha! Whaddya know?" grinned Dempsey holding aloft his prize as they left the Grapes public house. "Looks like dinner is on me...fancy a 'Ruby Murry' princess?"
Harry gave him an old fashioned look, "Have you been reading the cockney dictionary again Dempsey, it doesn't suit you. Anyway," she snatched the envelope out of his fingers, "You can hardly claim that you won the voucher, it was a team effort as I recall, if it wasn't for my knowledge of Shakespearian quotes we wouldn't have won." She haughtily stuck her nose in the air.
"Yeah, like you would have been able to answer all the questions on the USA round." He said a little smugly.
"The regulars thought it was fix there being an American round with you sat there, you're lucky not to have been lynched."
"I would have liked to have seen them try."
"As amusing as tonight has been," she stowed the envelope safely away in her handbag, "We are no closer to finding Jimmy. Spikings is going to be delighted when we return to the office with a 'Curry & Pint' voucher." Her voice was laced with sarcasm.
"Don't he like curry?"
"On the contrary, our leader loves anything swimming in grease, but I think he would prefer Jimmy's head on a plate."
Despite the Landlord's assurances that Jimmy would be making an appearance later that evening to pay Knobby off, Jimmy was a no show. Dempsey and Harry were hardly surprised; they were beginning to get the impression that the Landlord Pete was using them to increase his takings. After 8 quiz rounds and four rounds of drinks, the detective duo had given up hope.
They reached the car and were just about to get in it when they spotted a lone figure strolling along the footpath towards the pub with his hands jammed in his pockets. With a quick glance at each other, Dempsey and Harry ducked out of sight behind the car. As the figure got closer, it became clear it was Jimmy MacKintosh.
Jimmy was none the wiser as he approached the Merc, he briefly stopped to admire Dempsey's car making a mental note that he should start stocking classic sports cars in the showroom. He was about to walk off when Dempsey took him by surprise "Hello Jimmy."
Jimmy quick as lightening, and before Harry could pounce with the hand cuffs, kicked Dempsey on the shin, stalling him long enough to get away. He raced towards an expanse of waste land which stretched towards a row of ragged garages and a formidable brick wall.
Half hopping and half running, cursing Jimmy under his breath with each stinging stride, Dempsey followed, he wasn't going to let Jimmy get away this time. He battled over the overgrown, litter strewn ground, jumping discarded pallets and oil drums as he went.
Jimmy with amazing agility sprang up the wall with ease, pausing on the top only to goad Dempsey further. "Come and get me Yank!"
Dempsey had every intention of 'getting him' as he too reached the wall. Dempsey made a grab for Jimmy's leg, but Jimmy leapt off the wall putting himself on the other side, far from Dempsey's grasp.
Harry caught up with the pair just in time to see Dempsey scramble to the top of the wall. Jimmy was stood on a pallet waiting on the other side, unseen by Dempsey. Dempsey had just about righted himself when Jimmy swung for him. Jimmy was aiming for Dempsey's stomach, but misjudged the punch completely, instead Jimmy's fist connected painfully with the American's crotch.
Dempsey gasped in pain, his hands diving straight to the injured area, the force of the punch knocking him off the wall back onto Harry's side. Dempsey landed with a sickening, hefty thud into a mass of rusty wire and brambles. "Jeeeezuuuzzzzz &*$%£%^*" Harry found him rocking backwards and forwards, intwined in the wire and brambles, his eyes watering, his hands clamped to his crown jewels, or as Dempsey liked to call them , his cohunes. "£$%^&^% BASTARD! &*^%^%£"
Harry stifled a laugh as she watched her partner's torture. "Well I would say you have got your just desserts." She sang smugly. "I've been wanting to do that all night, hahaha."
Dempsey scowled at her, still winded he couldn't reply. All he could say was "Oowwwwooooffffeewww!"
"Sorry Dempsey, I didn't quite understand that," She knew she was being mean to him, but quite frankly, after his comments earlier that day, he deserved it.
"Oooooooow!"
"Hehehehehe" She chuckled with mirth.
Dempsey tried to stand, but found he was hopelessly caught up the wire, in frustration he kicked out at it, his toe connecting with a hidden tree stump.
"Jeeeeezuzz shit!" he yelped nearly breaking his toe. He was now floundering in the wire, one hand clutching his particulars the other hand now clamped around his toe. "Are you gonna stand there all night? For Christ's sake, give me hand Harry."
Harry very much enjoying the spectacle, with a huge smile plastered across her face, gave Dempsey a sarcastic slow hand clap of applause.
Dempsey barked "Knock in off sergeant! You're not funny! Ooooof!"
"I thought Jimmy had just done that, Bravo Jimmy, Bravo." She chimed.
"Don't just stand there..."
Dempsey tried desperately to free himself, but was failing miserably.
Harry finally decided to help "Oh for heaven's sake...what would you do without me?" she sauntered over to him and helped him out of the mess. Dempsey staggered to his feet, clearly still in pain.
"Did that smart a little?" Harry said with sweet innocence.
Dempsey just growled at her, "You've had your fun Makepeace...satisfied?"
"I don't think you're in any state to 'satisfy' anyone...shall I get some ice?" she added with mock helpfulness.
Dempsey ignored her comment while he caught his breath. Bent double he reached for his car keys and offered them to Harry "You're gonna have to drive, I can't see straight."
Harry finally softened "Come on then, let's get you home, The joys of the Ruby Palace will have to wait for another night."
She took hold of his arm and Dempsey leant into her for support, Jimmy would still be around tomorrow.
I think Dempsey deserved that...just a fun chapter before we getting into the real story...although I don't think Dempsey would agree that was fun..Harry on the other hand...
Full marks to haveunotthough for guessing Maddy's mix up with the americans! you read my mind lol
Thanks for the reviews, i will try to update next week, but I'm off to D&M land for a girly weekend :)
QQxx