A couple of days later Alex was out of hospital and back at Sun Hill. Gina wasn't happy that Alex had come back to work so soon, but Alex had promised to stay on light duties for a while.

She was still hobbling on crutches which made getting around quite amusing, but, some how she managed.

She was discussing the case of the stolen vehicle with Sam now.

"Well this is what we've got so far… Matt Bishop and Allan Gregson were seen committing armed robbery at Lassengers bookmakers at 9.00am on Tuesday morning. Their getaway car originally was being driven by some bloke we haven't been able to identify. Both the car and the getaway driver haven't been found, yet. We believe they switched cars because we know that the car they left in was a dark green BMW."

At that moment Phil came in. Sam and Phil had a bit of an awkward moment, which of course Alex noticed.

"We've spotted Bishop near Jamaica Docks. He didn't have the money with him though. He was with this guy…" Phil placed five photographs on the desk. "This guy here has been identified as…"

"Max Green." Alex finished for him.

"Yeah, how do you know that?" Phil asked.

"I have been after this guy for over six years, not to mention the fact that he is responsible for my husband Pauls' death." Alex explained.

"So, how is he connected to Pauls' death?" Sam enquired.

"We'd had a tip off about a theft from a jewelry store. Two guys named Christopher Reid and Samuel Davidson were the suspects for it. They were seen associating with Max a few weeks before hand; Apart from that there was nothing else that connected Green to any crime. Anyway, to cut a long story short, Paul realized that the robbery was just a decoy to cover up a drugs deal that was going down somewhere else. Paul and another officer from Barton Street went to cut Max Green off before he could leave the country with a load of drugs and money. Both officers were shot, Paul died as a result and his partner was paralyzed. You have no idea how much caching this guy means to me." A single tear ran down Alexs' cheek.

"I'm sorry Alex, I didn't realize…" Sam started to say.

"Please don't be sorry, I'm ok, honestly. I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I just need to get on with my life." Alex explained. She hated people being sympathetic. It made her feel weak, and showing signs of weakness gave others the upper hand.

"Alex, I think you're too close to this investigation. We'll keep you up to date with any developments, but…"

"But you're pulling me off because I could jeopardize the whole thing. I want to help; I want to help put the man who murdered my husband behind bars. Please, don't pull me off this. I promise I'll stay in the nic and I won't get in the way."

Sam could see how much this investigation meant to Alex. Sam softened and agreed.

"Ok, you can stay with the investigation. You can't investigate anything without my permission first. Is that clear?" Sam said.

"Absolutely Gov'. I know Max Green better than anyone so if there's anything you'd like to know…"

"We'll come and ask you. Actually, there's something you can do for me just now. I want you to get a list together of any known associates or suspected associates of Max Green. If you can find custody records, anything on crimint or even chris that could prove useful." Sam explained what it was that she was after.

Alex walked (Or rather, hopped) down to her office. She started looking through the filing cabinets, on the computer system. She was trying to use every piece of information she knew about Max Green.

After a couple of hours she finally hit a brick wall. There was only one other person who knew Max Green better than she did… She looked at the photo next to her desk. It was a picture of Paul, Alex, Cara and Molly. It was taken the previous summer when they went on holiday to France.

Alex was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed Smithy and Gina walk into the room. Gina noticed what Alex was looking at and recognized the look of sadness and despair. Gina looked at Smithy and he left the two women to it.

Gina walked round the desk and placed her hand on Alexs' shoulder. Alex looked up at Gina and tears started pouring down her face. Neither said a word for a couple of minutes; Gina just tried to comfort Alex.

Alex hadn't really grieved for her husband. Everything had happened to quickly that she had been too concerned for her children. Cara had stopped talking because of the shock; Molly didn't understand and just wanted to know where her Daddy was; and baby Gina was fighting for her life after being born prematurely. Alex had thrown herself into looking after her family, she didn't think about herself. Now things were hitting her all at once.

"Sorry Gina. I was just thinking…" Alex tried to explain through her sobs.

"It's ok darling. I understand that it's hard. Are you sure you haven't come back to work too soon?" Gina said as she comforted her friend.

"No I'm fine, honest. I had to come back to work sooner or later. I have to learn to move on with my life. Staying at home or falling into a heap isn't going to bring him back, is it? I've spent the last couple of months talking to Cara, trying to encourage her to talk. She was so traumatized that she wouldn't talk to anyone. I would be such a hypocrite if I took more time off because I can't learn to cope."

Alex felt so angry with herself. She hated feeling like this. She felt so helpless yet she was too stubborn to admit that she needed help.

"Well you know where I am if you ever need someone to talk to. You've got a lot of friends here who just want to help. Do you fancy coming for refs? I'll even buy, so you'd better come make the most of it." Gina said.

Alex smiled. Gina could always make Alex feel better, no matter what was going on. Gina had supported Alex through thick and thin for almost fourteen years. Whenever Alex needed advice, a shoulder or even someone to rant at, Gina was always there.

Alex and Gina walked off to the canteen and were joined by Smithy. Alex was starting to feel a bit happier. The three officers sat and talked. Alex was really enjoying herself. She liked being at Sun Hill and realized she had made the best decision to transfer.

"We're going to head for the pub later, do you fancy coming Alex?" Smithy asked.

"Of course, that would be great. Who's coming?" Alex said as she tucked in to her sandwich.

"Sam, Phil, Kezia, most of uniform and I'm pretty sure that Gina will join us. Won't you?" Smithy looked at Gina. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Now that is a silly question. As soon as the word pub is mentioned you should know I'll be there." Gina said smiling.

The three officers laughed. Alex enjoyed spending time with her colleagues. She had often joined them at the Seven Bells for a couple of pints after work; a pint and a game of pool.

"Who do think will challenge me to a game tonight? So far I don't think there is a single person who has been able to win against me yet." Alex looked at Smithy. He could never resist a good challenge.

"Right, I'll give you a game. Fifty quid says I win." Smithy said.

"Alright, you're on." Alex replied.

Gina watched the two officers. It was nice for her to see Alex enjoying herself; especially after what had happened in the office.

"Well we had better get back to work, hadn't we?" Gina said as she got up from her seat.

"Yeah, suppose we had better." Alex said as she also moved out of her seat. "Guess we'll see you later then Smithy." Alex said as she gave him a little cheeky wink.