Hello, thank you for your reviews of the previous chapter. You will notice that I've written the phone convos in script form...yes it's supposed to be confusing.

Chapter 35

"I'm sorry Harry, I'd love to sit and chat some more, but I'm expecting Daddy's phone call at 8.30, he's not finding it easy on remand . He has to book his phone calls for a certain time and he could lose his time slot and he'll worry if I miss it….sorry." Said Maddy apologetically, scooping up her and Harry's empty wine glasses.

"Oh right!" replied Makepeace hurrying to her feet "Yes of course, I'm sorry I've taken up so much of your evening – what was I thinking."

Harry had been grateful for Maddy's company although she felt a little foolish for barging in like a woman possessed. Now she was apologising profusely for taking up Maddy's time. The younger woman had been seen so generous considering Harry's earlier behaviour , that Harry felt she shouldn't encroach any longer. Harry swiftly said her goodbyes and left.

Leroy checked his watch, it read 8.20pm, and began to shuffle uncomfortably in his seat very aware he was running out of time to make his phonecall. Earlier he had arranged to call in to make sure someone knew where he was and that they could call for help if he needed it. As it was his safety hadn't been threatened by Carl, or at least not for the time being. Therefore it was imperative that Leroy called in by 8.30 to say that he was safe and well and didn't require assistance.

"Am I keeping you from something more important Leroy?" asked Carl eyeing the Lieutenant suspiciously .

"Nah, nah….I've just gotta make some calls, y'know keep up the businessman cover."

"You detectives." Laughed Carl "You take the dressing up box real serious dontcha?"

Leroy frowned "I sure do, it's my job."

"Correction, it was your job." Carl rose to his feet. "Well don't let me keep you from your Oscar. Lieutenant Banks…." Carl offered Leroy his hand to shake "It's been a pleasure…" he said sarcastically. "Or ex lieutenant I should say…"

Leroy gripped Carl's hand hard and said in a low growl "The pleasure was all mine and from now on you call me King, Charles King."

"Yeah sure, Charles King , the Best Supporting Role."

Leroy watched the smarmy Carl leave the restaurant and muttered under his breath "Yeah with Coltrane in the starring role."

At Fenchurch East station Gene Hunt was working late, well that was what he had told Alex. He lounged in his chair, legs outstretched resting on the desk, bottle of Scotch in hand and cigar in the other. He glanced at the clock, 8.26pm, and then looked at the phone, he'd give it five more minutes, no hurry. Just enough time to fill out his football Pools coupon.

Meanwhile across London Dempsey paced agitatedly by the phone box which was a short walk from the snooker club. He had been doing well, he had won a couple of games of snooker and his winnings had improved his financial situation a little. He had to start getting answers in this case, his existence had become precarious trying to eek out some sort of living from the snooker clubs. If he lost all his money then that would mean he could no longer shark at the snooker tables and then he would no longer be where the action was. He was rapidly running out of money, patience and energy. He couldn't remember the last time he had a square meal and decent night's sleep or even a change of clothing. Dempsey hated being this way, he just wanted the whole thing to be over – one way or another. However, the phone call he was waiting for offered a small chink of hope in an otherwise desperate situation…and it couldn't come soon enough. He checked his watch for what seemed the hundredth time in as many minutes, 8.27pm, there was still a little time to go.

A huge, rotund figure suddenly loomed over Dempsey and said rather loudly "Hi Jonny, what you up to?"

Dempsey leapt about a foot in air with surprise "Jeez Butch, you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Dempsey blew out his cheeks trying calm down his heart rate. "What have I told ya? Don't do that."

"Sorry Jonny, I thought you had seen me." replied the enormous Butch.

Butch was a friendly chap Dempsey had met in a bar called the Soho Cellar a week ago. Because of his size he looked like a thug, but Dempsey quickly realised that he was a gentle giant of a man and he was harmless. Dempsey had taken a liking to him. Butch, although not the sharpest tool in the box, had offered him a much needed friend in a cold, lonely world and had become a source of local information. Butch seemed to know who was who and what criminal activities were being planned. Butch was in awe of his new American friend, so much so he followed Dempsey around like a faithful oversized puppy. However, now was not the time to be Dempsey's shadow.

"Why are you stood outside a phone box Jonny?" Asked Butch innocently.

"Er waiting for call? I'll be in in a minute" replied Dempsey hoping that Butch would take the hint and leave him in peace.

Leroy hurried back into the saloon bar of the Chessington hotel and headed straight for the public phones, he had seconds before the cavalry would be called…he dialled…

"Shall I wait with you Jonny?" asked Butch missing the hint.

Dempsey was about to speak when the phone rang. Dempsey initially froze not knowing quite what to do…

"Shall I get that?" said Butch pointing to the phone box.

"No, Butch no!" shouted Dempsey jumping in between him and the man mountain. Dempsey quickly shoved some money into Butch's hand and said "Go get the drinks in buddy, I'll be right there….it's the ex-wife y'know."

"Ah right, gotcha."

As soon as Butch disappeared, Dempsey dived into the phone box. "Yo!"

Maddy's phone also rang. She jumped and snatched the receiver "Hello? Are you okay?"

Gene still sat in the same position, said down into the receiver "Everything alright? Where have you been?"

Makepeace out of breath from hurrying, had reached her phone just in time "About time, I was about to ask you the same question where bloody hell are you?"

Leroy: I'm still at the hotel, I'm cool, everything is cool. You cool?"

Dempsey: Hey, you know I can't tell you where I am, but I'm good, hanging on in there.

Maddy: Thank God you're okay, we're all worrying about you.

Gene: I'm in my office where I always am. I'm just fine and dandy thanks…. Apart from the fact I've been working my arse off for you.

Makepeace: Weeks I've been waiting….it's not good enough….

Leroy: I'm doing my best, it takes time.

Dempsey: Yeah sorry about that, I know you are.

Makepeace: It would have been nice to have been kept informed

Maddy: I'm so sorry, the time will pass quickly I promise….and I'll keep you up to date with everything that's happening here.

Gene: Not a fat lot more I can do at this stage, my hands are tied and we are running out of time.

Leroy: I getcha, so what's the plan…wanna hear mine?

Dempsey: Well I have a hunch

Maddy: Thinking about it…

Gene: Okeydoke….this is my theory…

Makepeace: Go on, I'm all ears…you're obviously not going to listen to me.

Dempsey: It's a plan….of sorts.

Gene: Hmmmph!

Makepeace: If you say so.

Leroy: I'm listening, I'm listening. Hit me with it.

Gene: Bloody hell

Maddy: I've got nothing else

Makepeace: Oh for heaven's sake

Leroy: Jeez, it's like getting blood out of a rock.

Dempsey: What else can I do Huh? I'll let you know soon as, yeah? Look I've gotta go…a bunch of nuns need to use the phone…have a nice night.

Leroy: Alright speak soon.

Makepeace: All I ask is that you keep me in the loop, I am not psychic ….you hear me?

Gene: Right 'o'

Maddy: Yes, bye

Leroy: Bye, take care.

Gene: Bye, bye

Makepeace: Goodbye for now.

All phone lines went dead.

Dempsey quickened his step, there was a big stakes snooker tournament starting soon which he couldn't afford to miss. As he walked up to the bar, like a first class mate, Butch had a pint of larger waiting for him.

"What did she say?" asked Butch as Dempsey took his seat next to him.

"Who?"

"Your ex-wife?"

"Oh, the unusual. What do chicks always want, more money."

"Hah," laughed Butch "I had a girlfriend like that once, never known a girl eat so much."

"You had a girlfriend?" said Dempsey both surprised and impressed.

"Yeah, she was woman wrestling champion for the county….ate loads to get bigger. Cost me a bomb on dinners out…."

"County wrestling champion…sheesh….so Butch we need to find some work. You see that guy looking muscle yet?"

Butch motioned towards the door with his pint "That's him."

"Which one?"

"The guy in the suit that just walked in …he's the one looking for the muscle."

Dempsey twisted on his stool to see Carl, Leroy's dinner guest, standing in the doorway of the club. His suit shouted money and everyone was curious as to who he was.

"He certainly looks the part…."

Dempsey got off his stool only for Butch to catch his arm "Where you going Jonny?"

"Y'know, to circulate."

Butch stood up and said very seriously "I'll circulate with you."

"Alright…okay let's circulate.

Leroy arrived back at his hotel exhausted. It had taken an age for him to drive from the Chessington hotel to his hotel in Wembley. He made a mental note to find some more suitable digs as he was just that little too far from the centre of London and the dirty , rundown hotel was dragging him down…that and the landlord was now convinced Leroy was a drug dealer with his sharp suits and fast car. The only black men the landlord knew with that sort of cash were drug dealers and he was threatening to call the police….it was no good Leroy even attempting to explain that he was the police.

As Leroy entered the reception area the landlord yelled "Oi yanky jungle boy, there's a young lady to see you….she's in the bar, I've given her a Babycham and put it on your bill."

"Thanks." muttered Leroy sourly.

"If I find out she's a prozzie you're out mate….understand?"

"She's not hooker…..oh forget it, may as well talk to that wall over there."

As soon as Leroy entered the bar the young lady in question threw herself at him , hugging the life out of him and cried "Thank god you're safe."

So, who was calling who? and which lady is visiting Leroy, remember you have four to chose from ;-)