Disclaimer not mine. Sorry for delay in updating
Return to Innocence.
Dempsey glanced out of the car window as Harry drove towards London. It seemed that the time in Wales was to be cut short after all. He couldn't say he was particularly upset to see the back of the shabby B&B but having Julie in the car with them meant there was no way he could talk to Harry about the night before. And he knew they needed to talk. There had been too many revelations, he was supposed to be the one she turned to. He was not supposed to be the wreck his father had been, he was not supposed to be the one who was weak. Harry had to rely on him, after all.
"He know's I'm coming?" Julie asked as the silence was broken.
"Yes." Harry stated. "I called him before we left. You are to come straight to the station with us."
"Good job I got Sue to mind the kids for me overnight then."
"Yeah." Dempsey nodded, still not sure how his boss fitted into the story. He accepted Spikings had been a DI in those days, that he had been part of a normal CID and not a special unit like SI10. He also accepted that most cops in the 1970s had informants. What he didn't know was what his involvement meant in the case. William Jones had been a violent, sadistic criminal who had been arrested and sent to prison. Now he was out and looking for revenge. Sighing heavily he glanced out the window, knowing any questions he had would have to wait until they were safely back in London.
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"What did Harry say?" Spikings barked as Chas looked up from his paperwork.
"She and Dempsey are on the way back here. With Julie. She wanted to talk to you." Chas repeated. Spikings nodded before running a hand over his face. He was exhausted. It seemed William Jones was true to his word. He was going to make them all pay.
"Let me know the moment they arrive."
"Yes Sir." Chas frowned as he watched the older man walk away. Seconds later the phone rang. Standing and jogging to answer it he knew there was no way the caller had good news. He just hoped SI10 could deal with whatever was going to be thrown at them this time.
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"Any chance we can stop at the next services?" Julie asked as Harry kept her foot on the accelerator. "I'm busting back 'ere." Dempsey rolled his eyes.
"Ok." Harry snapped, glad to get a break from driving but annoyed that they would be delayed. London was the one place where she felt safe, her own flat and the SI10 offices had become a sanctuary since she had returned from her father's home. Silently she made a mental note to visit him again soon. Minutes later she was pulling the while Ford Fiesta into the service station car park.
"Thanks." Julie sighed. "Any chance I can ring Sue? Check on the kids."
"Be quick." Dempsey stated. His eyes on Harry he hoped they would get a moment or two together before they had to get back in the car. Harry stepped out into the late evening sunshine before Dempsey. She was determined not to take her eyes off Julie, there was something about the woman she didn't trust. "Harry, you go with her. I'll get us some coffee."
"OK." Harry smiled slighty, hoping the coffee he bought would be drinkable. She followed Harry into the ladies' bathroom as a gang of teenage girls pushed by giggling as they went.
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Dempsey sat on the bench opposite the ladies' bathroom eating a donut and ignoring the coffee as he waited. It was no point ringing Chas, he knew they were on the way home. Silently he began to worry. It seemed both women were taking far too long in the small toilet block.
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"You ok?" Julie turned to Harry as he washed her hands. Harry nodded, her sense of dread threatening to overwhelm her. "Not nice is it? Not being in control? You've had the life scared out of you and all. I can see it in your eyes."
"We better get back to the car."
"It's not your fella." Julie sighed. "I can see that. He's one of the good guys but something has scared you. Bone chilling fear, it changes you."
"Come on." Harry ignored her. "We have to get back to London." Julie nodded before stepping forward.
"I know what it's like to be scared of your own shadow. When you've been there you can see it in other people. I walked out on the one thing I had going for me because I thought I'd be safer. That my kids would be. And don't look at me like that. I know who my kids' father is and before you get worked up. It is not Gordon Spikings. He was the only person I could trust then. You know what that feels like."
"Yes. I do." Harry nodded once before turning to leave the bathroom. Her head slammed against the doorframe as an older man pushed her to the floor. Julie stepped back, not trying to defend the police officer but not helping her either.
"Nice little speach, Julie luv." The voice caught Harry's attention but there was no way she could move under his weight. "About time we made a move." He dragged Harry to her feet before following Julie towards the fire escape at the back of the room. Harry slumped against him as he dragged her towards a blue Ford Transit van parked outside the door. Julie smirked as she clombed in the back behind Harry. It seemed Dempsey was going to have a long wait.
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A/N Please review.