This is the 2nd chapter uploaded this weekend...I do have a life...really lol
Chapter 16
"Harry, this is unbelievable." Dempsey was sitting lounged at one of the desks in Fenchurch East CID, cigar in one hand file in the other, feet on the desk. He had broken his own rule of not doing desk work, but this was a special case, so he had made a big exception, after all it was his and Harry's future which hung in the balance. "I can't believe how many hoods Chapman got danced out of court!"
"Same here." replied Harry sat next to him trawling through her own paper stack. She shook her disparagingly "I can't believe Robert had a hand in it...any of it."
"Y'see babe, do we really know anyone? You can spend years living with someone and never know the truth. I read about this guy who managed to lead a double life...two pads, two wives and two sets of kids and neither knew about the other, and you get to thinking 'why didn't I see it?'"
"Robert and Pipa had been at it for months before I finally discovered them." She said ruefully. "I completely missed all the signs, now it looks like he was up to a great deal more, and I'm the detective."
"Hey, don't beat y'self up it happens to all of us at some point."
"Sometimes we don't see the obvious right under our noses." She smiled affectionately at him.
"Yeah, then someone dumps a load of barrels on top of ya and suddenly it all becomes clear." He smiled back. They both fell into thoughtful silence and continued to read the files.
Dempsey finished another page and idea struck him "Maybe we're looking at this all wrong. If we can't get to Robert through Dr Andrews then maybe we should try Pipa?"
"Pipa? How?" Harry put down the file she was reading on her lap.
"Well, if Robert is such a lowlife and a lousy lover then he probably treats Pipa the same...it would figure she hates his guts."
"If that was the case I'm sure Pipa would have packed her bags long ago. She's not stupid."
"Not necessarily, they have kid right? Maybe she has nowhere to go. If Robert's a control freak, he's got her right where he wants her, under the thumb and there aint nuthin' she can do about it."
Harry pursed in consideration, there could be some truth in it.
"Think about it Harry, she may be ready to spill her guts."
"I doubt she would know anything. Robert is very good at keeping people in the dark like mushrooms, like we just said...I knew nothing."
"Say, why dontcha go and talk to her...have a girly chat or sumthin'"
Harry looked slightly aghast at his suggestion "Oh no, I'm not speaking to her, we said all we needed to say to one another all those years ago...and it wasn't exactly pleasant as you can imagine."
"I could speak to her, make her see sense." He offered.
She looked alarmed "You're not to go anywhere near her! She's trouble."
Dempsey smirked at her reaction "Would it bother you?"
Harry shot him a sideways glance as if to say 'Don't even go there'
Dempsey grinned "Ha, I get it, ya worried she would try it on with me...am I right?"
"It wouldn't be the first time." She grounded "James, you know as well as I do, you have this habit of making unsuspecting woman swoon with your unique charm and cheeky grin. You would be right up her ally."
"Hehehe, I don't wanna be up her ally, yours is more than enough for me. I love a bit of the ole green eyed monster...did you swoon over me?" He was grinning broadly like a Cheshire cat, very much enjoying Harry's uneasiness.
"Not to begin with, I found you attractive, but then you proceeded to annoy the hell out of me." She confessed.
"Then you swooned...when was that?"
Harry tried hard to think "Urmmm, don't know really, it sort of crept up on me."
"And ya kicked against it all this time. Just think of all that time we've lost."
"Well, we're certainly making up for it now." She grinned back "I've seen more action in two nights than I have in the past year."
Dempsey looked a little disconcerted "Ya mean to say you've seen action other than me?"
"Contrary to popular belief, James, I am not a nun." She said airily "You are not the only one who has needs."
His smirk returned "Y'know, I've kinda guessed that about you, whoddya thought it, DS Makepeace likes to take a walk on the wild side. Next you'd be getting me to work my way through that kinky book of yours."
"What kinky book?" she puzzled
"That one you keep in ya bedside table."
"Oh, you mean the Karma Sutra?" she frowned at him "Trust you to find that...urrrm and what were you doing looking through my bedside table...snooping?"
Dempsey looked a little sheepish "Ah, errr I thought you might have some toys stashed there...y'know, single woman living on her own needs to have something to look forward to after a long day at the office."
"Dempsey!" she squeaked
"Hahaha!"
Harry suddenly looked coyly at him "Er...did you find them?"
"Nope, but I will."
"Anyway!" she slapped her hands down on the file on her lap. "Moving on from our libidos'..."
"You're blushing."
"I am not!"
"Ya sure are, got ya little hot sergeant?"
"Dempsey!" she blustered with warning.
"You've just got allsorts running round that head of yours."
"Stop it!"
"How do ya like the sound of page 27?"
She huffed and turned to face him "Will you concentrate, we have got to get this lot sorted first...page 27 will have to wait till later."
"Oh yeah!" Dempsey beamed with delight.
"Honestly...one track mind." She flashed him a knowing little smile.
"Huurrum!" coughed Leroy interrupting them "Sounds like yous could do with a cold shower."
"How long have you been standing there?" Demanded Harry
"Long enough, sister." Leroy sat next to them clutching his note pad. "I've been doing some digging."
"Go on," she encouraged.
"Okay, you recently put away a scowl called Daly?"
"Herum!" Dempsey and Harry both nodded in agreement.
"Chapman was his lawyer before he got de-barred."
"We know that, Chapman went to visit him in the slammer." replied Dempsey
"This is the interesting bit, guess who acted for the defence in Daly's original trial?"
"Chapman?" Dempsey and Harry replied together.
"Erhum!" Leroy shook his head "Chapman was just the mouth, you look through the files it's got Makepeace written all over it."
"Robert's a high profile barrister, it was a high profile case...surely? It doesn't mean Robert was taking bungs." puzzled Harry.
Leroy continued "The case was thrown out, all witnesses clammed up, evidence not enough to secure conviction."
"Who was the chief that brought case?" asked Dempsey
Leroy thumbed through his note book "Barton of Special Branch."
Dempsey grinned "Bingo Harry! Looks like we've all been sold duds all along. Got everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off...cute!"
Harry couldn't believe what she was hearing, Robert, her husband was connected to both Liam Daly and to the corrupt Chief Super Barton of Special Branch. Robert Makepeace had had more of an impact on her life than he would ever know. Not only had he cheated on her as a husband, but he had been instrumental in keeping Liam Daly out of prison and on the streets where he was free to inflict his brand of misery on many poor souls. He had set in motion a chain of events which had resulted in the Hughes family nearly being destroyed along with Roly Cavendish, Gene and Alex being blown up and very nearly succeeded in getting Dempsey and Harry killed.
Harry was seething with anger and hurt, how could a man who once told her he loved her and she was the most precious thing in his life create such a living hell.
"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Harry muttered sadly. She gazed forlornly at Dempsey "How could I have been so bloody stupid? He's taken me for a complete idiot."
Dempsey mirrored her downcast expression and placed a comforting hand on her arm "It's not your fault princess, he is one clever bastard."
Harry shook her head despairingly "I'm never going to be free from him...ever."
"You are, he aint never gonna hurt you again." Insisted Dempsey "There's gotta be a way out of this." Dempsey looked up at Leroy "The solution must lie with Maddy, she can put a stop to this."
"No way, " replied Leroy "She would implicate her father."
"She has to!" exclaimed Harry "All Max would have to do is sign a statement and submit it to the crown prosecution. The inquest would be halted and a full investigation would be called."
"And Max Andrews would go to jail..." said Leroy
"And so would Robert!" replied Dempsey
"And you can kiss your divorce papers goodbye."
"Arrrgh!" Harry thumped her fists down on the desk in frustration making Leroy and Dempsey jump "BASTARD!" Harry slowly calmed down settling back into her chair "Thomas Lyons, that's it someone needs to talk to Thomas."
"I'll go," stated Leroy "We've already met."
"What?" Dempsey and Harry raised their eyebrows.
"He came to find me in Luigi's, wanted to dig some dirt up on you Dempsey, I gave him zilch. Maybe an idea Alex talks to Pipa...woman to woman an all. At least Pipa could encourage him to sign the divorce papers."
"Thanks." Harry muttered "We've got to start somewhere."
Alex waited patiently for the door of number 26 to open. She glanced down the high class street called Strawberry Hill. The road was lined with imposing Victorian houses and leafy trees, she noted the array of expensive cars which were parked up in various driveways.
The door opened.
"Hi Pipa?" Alex cheerily greeted.
"Er yes, " Pipa looked Alex up and down curiously "Can I help you?"
Alex presented her warrant card "DI Alex Drake Fenchurch East CID, may I come in?"
Pipa stood aside to let Alex past "You'll have to excuse me, I haven't got around to tidying the pig sty up yet."
"That's okay," Alex looked around at the toys dotted around the spacious living room "Children can cause such chaos can't they...how many do you have?"
"Just the one, Mathew." She said proudly. "Although looking at the mess you'd think I have football team." Pipa was wearing faded jogging bottoms and an oversized T shirt, her hair was a messy nest and she looked like she needed a bloody good rest. "What can I do for you Inspector?" she motioned to Alex to take a seat.
Alex sat down "It's rather delicate I'm afraid...can we speak confidentially, woman to woman?"
Pipa regarded her questioningly "That depends, is this Police business?"
"Sort of, but more on a personal basis." Alex sighed; this wasn't going to be easy. " I won't beat around the bush. My friend is Harry Makepeace."
"Oh!" that surprised Pipa, she wasn't expecting this sort of 'personal'.
"She is still married to your Robert."
"Yes I do know that?" she said sourly.
"The thing is, she doesn't want to be, in fact she would dearly like Robert to sign the divorce papers and we were hoping..."
Pipa was quick to cut in "Well tell her to kick her solicitor up the backside and return her half.."
"No I don't think you understand," countered Alex tactfully "It is Robert who is refusing to sign his.."
"Oh no, you've made a mistake, Harry is the one holding everything up. Robert grumbles endlessly that she won't let go. Really she should move on and find a new man."
It was becoming apparent to Alex that Pipa didn't know the full situation; she decided to test the ground further. "Harry would be happy to move on, but she is not signing away her inheritance to Robert."
"What?" snapped Pipa "We don't want Winfield, do we look destitute?" she waved her hand around the elaborate room.
"No, quite the opposite, but Robert won't sign the papers until he gets Harry's share of the Winfield estate." Alex was now in negotiation mode.
"That's bull, Robert says Harry doesn't want him marrying me so she has dug her heels in out of spite." Pipa folded her arms around her, disgruntled.
"Pipa, Harry is not interested in Robert anymore, she has new man, all she wants is to be free from him. It is Robert digging his heels in."
Pipa sagged inwardly; she had always had an inkling that Robert wasn't telling the whole truth. She played with her engagement ring, all the times when she had brought up the subject of marriage Robert had fobbed her off telling her Harry wouldn't return her papers and then changed the subject entirely. She held her hand up to Alex showing her the engagement ring "3 years I've been waiting" she said bitterly. "3 bloody long years."
Alex gave her a sympathetic smile; with all her psychology training she had detected a sadness and a frustration in the other woman's voice. "Will he listen to you?"
Pipa shook her head "I've tried so many times and all I get is the same old lines. Harry this, Harry that...like a stuck record... Is he really trying to get his paws on Winfield?"
"Yes, he uses it to torment the family, not sure whether it's greed or spite. Either way it's making Harry's life a misery especially now she has Demp..." Alex quickly stopped herself, she didn't think it would be wise for Robert to find out about Dempsey. Little did she know Robert already knew.
"She has a new man, lucky Harry; I bet he's good looking, charming and the epitome of polite society."
"Well he has two out of the three...Harry's working on the third." Alex smiled to herself as an image of Dempsey trying to be Mr D'Arcy fluttered into her mind; somehow it didn't seem to work with a Brooklyn accent.
Pipa became distant as if she was running through a whole episode in her head; Alex could see the cogs turning. Alex tried to work out what was going through her mind, it wasn't nice finding out your partner had been lying to you for three years.
Pipa seeming to come back her senses turned to Alex and said "Alex, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Robert has been behaving rather peculiarly recently so it is quite odd that you turned up out of the blue talking about Harry. "
"Peculiar? In what way?" Alex cocked her head, she was right there was something playing on Pipa's mind.
"I can't put my finger on it, he seems a little manic at times, do you know what I mean? He is normally cool, calm, collected in all situations, but he gets a bee in his bonnet and he's like a man processed. Plus he's taken to hiding things from me saying I don't need to know, something to do with a case he's working on and it's none of my business...would you have any ideas, being in the police you must hear about big cases? I tried asking his Junior partner Thomas, but he just clammed up and refused to discuss anything."
Alex thought very carefully, did Pipa have a right to know about the inquest? If Alex told her she could see Robert and Pipa having a massive row and there was little Mathew to consider. "I think you need to talk to Robert about the divorce and what is troubling him at work, I can't help you there I'm afraid, but if you want to know the answer badly enough you will find it."
Pipa was an intelligent woman; she could tell Alex knew what was going on but couldn't come out and say it, all Alex could do was to give her the clue as to what she should do. Pipa decided in an instant that tomorrow she would go into the office and turn it upside down, the answer would be there waiting to be read.
"Chief Superintendent Spikings, what a pleasure to meet you at last." Thomas smarmed and offered Spikings his hand. "Thomas Lyons of..."
"In know who you are." gruffed the Guv with disdain "I hope you're here to tell me my officers are in the clear?"
Thomas cleared his throat "Not exactly, in fact there has been an interesting development I need to speak to Dempsey and Makepeace about."
"Oh yes? Tough, they're not here; they are on sick leave the pair of them."
Thomas knitted his eyebrows "Sick leave? A bit odd they're both off sick together wouldn't you say?"
Spikings narrowed his eyes at the supercilious Thomas "They both got flattened and gassed together, so no, it isn't odd. They got hurt protecting this country from criminals. Or at least trying to you, we catch 'em your mob get them off scot free...eh?"
Thomas was taken aback "Ah, I'm sorry to hear that, are they alright?"
"They'll live to fight another day ...if they still have jobs after you and Makepeace have finished with them." Spikings was in an uncompromising mood.
Thomas felt a little guilty for his part in the inquest, in the past week he felt more and more like a tabloid muck-raker than a lawyer. He lowered his voice "Between you and me Sir, this inquest doesn't have legs..."
Spikings glared at the younger man "I'm pleased to hear it, complete waste of everyone's time and resources. I'm surprised the Coroner is still playing along with this charade."
Thomas winced; he knew full well Dr Andrews was in Robert's pocket. "The thing is Sir, I've been instructed to find out more on their personal lives, they feel that could have a bearing on the inquest."
"What?" snapped Spikings "What the bloody 'ell has that got to do with it?"
"There is a theory.." Thomas swallowed hard "That Makepeace killed Monica out of jealousy."
Spiking's hairline receded several inches in disbelief "Jealousy? Now I have heard it all...have you ever met DS Makepeace?"
"No Sir I haven't..." he confessed.
"She is one of the most intelligent, cool, levelled headed women you could ever meet. What or whom is she supposed be jealous over?" Spikings barked.
"Lt Dempsey...Monica and he..."
"HA,HA, Now I know you're in cloud bloody cuckoo land." He scoffed "You don't have a bloody clue! Those two are chalk and cheese..." Spikings was fighting their corner, to outsiders Dempsey and Makepeace were the most unlikely of couples on the planet, except he knew differently, he knew there was an attraction burning under the surface, but he was going to make damn sure that he wasn't going to tell this lawyer that.
Thomas bridled at the Welsh Guv's reaction, he felt Spikings was treating him like a fool "They are close are they not Sir?"
"Course they're bloody close, they are partners they know each other better than most married couples."
"They sound a lot closer on the tapes." Thomas was defiant; he wasn't going to be walked over.
"What tapes?" growled Spikings.
"We have recordings of them in their apartment in Spain, before and after the death of Monica Grey. Very revealing."
Spikings suddenly sprang to his feet and started to pace around his office, brushing his hair backwards and forwards like a bear with a sore head. "Oh bloo-dy hell...oh bloo-dy, sodding hell," he span round and jabbed a finger at Thomas "You can't use that as evidence, invasion of privacy.."
"This is not evidence in a court of law, this is an inquest."
"To hell with the inquest." Spikings was puce with rage "This is a lynch mob!" he brought his face menacingly close to Thomas's "I want those tapes."
Thomas sneered "No way chief superintendent, I can't do that...unless." he started to play with his fingers.
Spikings growled again "Unless what?"
"We can come to some arrangement." He smirked "Get the case against my client dropped and you can have the tapes, the inquest will disappear and nobody will know Dempsey and Makepeace's dirty little secret."
"Are you blackmailing me?" anger flashed in Spiking's eyes.
"Not blackmail, just a gentleman's agreement."
Oh dear, I think Thomas has just crossed swords with the wrong man and I don't think I'd want to be in Robert's shoes when Pipa finds out what he's been up to.
please keep R&R ing
Thanks QQ