Not sure about this chapter – It has a lot of dialogue setting up about the mysterious Peter Minto! But don't worry, there is still more than one element of mystery about him still to be revealed. I hope you like the Galex at the end! Please R&R!!!
Trouble Getting Home – Chapter Three
The Quattro span round the corner and squealed to a halt. The two doors slammed; Gene and Alex made their way into the familiar surroundings of Luigi's. Greeted with a shout of 'Grassy Arse!' from Chris, they settled themselves into the corner table. After taking a sip of her full glass of house rubbish, Alex surveyed her DCI over the top of it and opened her mouth to talk.
'I know what yer going to say, Bols, so save your breath.'
Gene lit up a cigarette, and eyed her lazily, lounging back in his chair.
'Peter Minto is one of the biggest bastards you could hope to meet. 'e was on my patch back in Manchester and I nailed 'im. Well, he wasn't very happy, was he? So, when he got off free – God knows how – he found me in a darkened ally and thwacked me one.'
Alex leaned forwards over the table, casually swirling her wineglass in her left hand.
'What did you get him for?'
Gene took a drag on his cigarette and then let out the smoke.
'He was in the drug business, and he was up to his neck in GBH charges. I thought I had him down when he decided to beat up his girlfriend and she came to the police to help. It didn't stick though – 'is cronies swore blind he was with them at the time of the incident and I thought the judge was dodgy, myself. You can always find evidence, Bolly – but you can always lose it again just as easily.'
Looking into the distance, Gene seemed lost in the past and Alex almost reached out in an instinctive need to comfort. Pulling himself back into the present, Gene took a long swig of his drink.
'We're going onto a club, Guv – you coming?'
Ray was pulling on his coat; Chris and Shaz were just behind him. Gene glanced quickly at Alex and then turned to his team.
'We're gonna stay 'ere, have an early night. Don't you bloody be late tomorrow – I don't care if you have a hangover the size of Kilimanjaro. I want you in, on time. We've got work to do.'
Chris nodded. 'Right you are Guv.'
They began to leave, Shaz chattering excitedly about the club they were going to.
Alex called after her.
'Remember, Shaz, I want those files on my desk first thing! Occupation, location, age….Everything.'
'Of course ma'am. Goodnight!'
Alex stretched and yawned – finishing the dregs of her wine. She decided to indeed have an early night, so she could run over all the things Gene had told her this evening. By the sound of it she would have to have a good night's sleep in order to be awake and fresh for the coming morning. She stood up and hauled her white leather coat off the back of the chair.
'Right, I'm off. Early morning tomorrow.'
She started to turn towards the staircase leading up to her flat, when Gene stood up too.
'I'll walk you upstairs,' he came along side her, 'you never know who is round the corner.'
'I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, Gene,' She jokingly ticked him off. 'But thank you.'
'The Gene Genie shows his gentlemanly side once again…' She thought.
They walked up the stairs and then she fumbled for her keys. When she dropped them – both her and Gene bent down to pick them up and suddenly, their faces were very close together. Too close.
They both froze. She could feel his breath on her face and the need to reach out towards him was so great, her hand actually started to move towards his face.
Gene stepped back, breaking the spell and clearing his throat.
'So, yeah, big case tomorrow Bolly. Better get some sleep. I'm gonna hit the sack myself….. Night.'
He disappeared down the stairs.
'Night……' Alex whispered, leaning against the door.