Disclaimer I do not own New Tricks.
Drive By.
Sandra drove towards the address Brian had found for the young doctor as Gerry remained silent. She knew he was worried about his daughter but he was never this quiet. It was beginning to worry her. He glared out of the passenger side window when she stopped at traffic lights.
"Gerry."
"Umm?"
"Paula would have told you if she was really worried about something."
"Yeah." He huffed. "I 'ope so."
"She's a sensible girl."
"Yeah." Gerry nodded. "But so is Emily and Caitlyn. Neither of them tell me sod all, so why should my middle girl be any different?"
"Gerry." Sandra rolled her eyes. She knew that despite three failed marriages and a disastrous relationship with Emily's mum he was a good dad. He cared about the girls and his grandson, little Gerry. She had no idea what would become of him if something happened to those girls. He turned to look at her.
"What?"
"We'll talk to this doctor. Then we'll go and see Paula."
"She'll think I'm interfering."
"And she will be right." Sandra smiled. "Look, I just wish I still had my dad to interfere in my life. Gerry," She looked up as the lights turned green. "Trust her, will you?"
"She's my little girl." He looked away, unaware of the way she watched him.
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"That girl had something to hide." Steve stated as Brian shoved his hands in his pockets. "I mean, Brian. If that was my sister that had been murdered I'd want to talk to anyone investigating it."
"Yes, well. She's not you is she?" Brian pushed the door to the UCOS office open. "Where is everyone?"
"Hospital?" Steve leant against Gerry's abandoned desk.
"You know when Jack's back? What will you do?" Brian asked as he unbuttoned his coat. Steve shrugged.
"Dunno. Might go back to Glasgow. Spend some time with Charlie, see how things go."
"Charlie? Who's he?"
"She." Brian nodded as Steve corrected him. "My partner, she works on forensics for Glasgow Police."
"Ah."
"What's that supposed to mean? Ah."
"She's still in the force. She's younger than you." Brian stated rather than asked.
"And what if she is? " Steve huffed before turning to see the red light on the answer phone flashing. He ignored Brian and pressed the button to play the message.
"Sandra, Gerry? Brian? Steve is it? Anyway, I've been trying to ring you but you know what phones are like in here. I'm not allowed my mobile in here. I mentioned Debbie to one of the doctors here and he seemed very anxious to change the subject. Maybe worth contacting the GMC? See if they know where he is supposed to be working? According to Mary he is just a locum here. Danny or Daniel someone. Anyway, I'll talk to you more when you visit. Bye"
"That was Jack." Brian stated calmly.
"I gathered that." Steve smiled. "Well? He clearly has a lead or he thinks he does."
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Gerry stood slightly behind Sandra as she pressed the doorbell on the ornate front door. The rain began to get harder as Gerry hunched his shoulders to escape the rain. Sandra frowned as the door remained unanswered.
"He's probably in work." Gerry huffed.
"Maybe." Sandra agreed. The curtain of the house next door began to twitch as Gerry touched Sandra's shoulder.
"Look." He nodded towards the window. "Nosy neighbours."
"The coppers' best friend." Sandra smiled as they walked to the house next door.
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Paula curled up on the sofa as Eastenders started. Little Gerry was sound asleep upstairs while she finally opened the bar of chocolate she had been saving for longer than she had intended. Phil Mitchel began threatening someone on the screen while Paula rested back against the cushions. Her eyes were closing of their own accord as she heard the doorbell ring. Part of her didn't want to move, another part had the feeling if she didn't answer the door there was a very real chance her caller would wake the little boy asleep upstairs.
"Coming." She mumbled, hoping it was either her sister, mum or father. She had no wish to see the man that had left just before Gerry had arrived earlier. She opened the door to the lounge and froze. The outline of a man could be seen clearly through the stain glass door panel. A woman or smaller man seemed to be at his side.
"Bloody Hell." She got to her full height, knowing that whatever was on the other side of the door there was no way she was going to be able to avoid it.
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A/N Just a filler chapter. Please review.
