Evidence 14
A mutual exchange - All is revealed.
The night was still, the hour having just passed 11pm.
There wasn't much traffic on the roads of London at this time of night other than the red Audi quattro, as it sped along the road heading in the direction of Gene Hunt's place of residence.
The drive home from Luigi's had been quiet, as had the evening in the trattoria.
Nothing was the same anymore without Alex.
Today's performance in the court had not filled Gene with much hope.
His only wish now was that the jury would look at the evidence they had been presented with and, despite how damning it may seem, decide that it simply was not strong enough to convict Alex.
But should it not go that way, should Alex be convicted of a double murder and be jailed for life then Gene would stand by her all the way.
He wouldn't try to move on with his life once they had taken her away. He would visit her as often as he possibly could, he would pull strings and call in favours to ensure that she was alright inside. He would even campaign for her - a retrial, a quashed conviction, anything at all that would get Alex out.
And that Alison... if she ever crossed him.
If he ever caught her for so much as parking on double yellow lines he would throw the book at her.
But he was jumping the gun.
Nothing had happened yet and the jury would continue their deliberations tomorrow.
Gene looked in the rear view mirror.
The car behind was very close, almost in the quattro's boot.
"Bloody idiot", Gene cursed under his breath, "get off my damned arse you tit!".
He stepped on the break sharply to cause the vehicle behind the break suddenly.
A moment later the tailgater dropped back to a normal position.
"Better", Gene responded.
He continued his drive for another thirty seconds or so when the vehicle behind took his attention again.
"Why are you bloody flashin' me now?", he remarked as he observed the car flashing it's headlights repeatedly.
"Right", Gene huffed, "I am gonna give you such a talking to sonny!".
With that, he pulled the quattro to a halt and steered the vehicle half up onto the pavement.
Gene opened the door and got out of the car, watching as the other vehicle pulled over behind him.
The street was dark. Gene had pulled up underneath a street light that was out.
The other vehicle was dark and had stopped at least fifty yards behind the quattro.
"You better 'ave a bloody good explanation for bein' up my arse and flashin' your lights like that mate!" Gene shouted from next to the quattro, "'ave I got a bloody light out or summin'?!".
The driver's door of the dark vehicle opened slowly and a suited figure got out.
Gene began to move towards him. Nobody tailgated Gene Hunt, especially not when he was in a mood such as he was tonight.
"That's close enough Detective Chief Inspector", a well spoken male voice said at a volume barely louder than talking.
"Who are you?" Gene demanded, looking on from where he stood half way between the quattro and the dark car.
"I think you will recall me", the well spoken voice began and its owner strolled towards Gene.
"Stop poncin' about", Gene said loudly, "who are ya?".
Gene strained his eyes in the dark to see the approaching figure.
As he did, his eyes adapted and he finally made the car out as a black Mercedes Benz.
The figure now became clear also.
A man, forties, with a neat short hairstyle, and moustache...
"You!" Gene finally realised the identity, "Spooky-dooky Bastard!".
"If that's what you wish to call me DCI Hunt", the MI5 agent held out his hand.
Gene refused to return the gesture.
"What do you want?" the DCI demanded.
"I told you some months ago, DCI Hunt." the agent quietly spoke. "We know you have the Artemis file and you were told in no uncertain terms that its return would be beneficial to both yourself and your lady colleague".
"Dunno what you're talking about mate", Gene shook his head, "besides, I've got more important things on my mind right now so if you would kindly piss off".
"Now you see I can't do that, DCI Hunt", the Spook shook his head, "I have been sent to make you an offer".
"An offer?"Gene repeated.
"Yes, an offer", the Spook nodded in the dark, "A mutual exchange of goods".
"What goods?" Gene demanded, getting angry.
"We are not stupid DCI Hunt, we know you took the file codenamed Artemis from the vault in Edgehampton", the agent explained, "Now, you have what we want...return it to us and you will have what you want".
"And what could you possibly have that I might want?" Gene mocked.
"What we have had all along DCI Hunt", the Spook gave a slight grin as he explained.
"And what might that be?", the Manc Lion snarled, the chill breeze of the night not helping his demeanour.
"Oh dear...", the Spook shook his head with a faint chuckle, "the Police force of today".
"You'd better start explaining pal", Gene demanded.
The spook took in a breath.
"DCI Hunt...I am very familiar with the unfortunate events surrounding your DI at the moment", the Spook began, "But did you really never wonder who it was who had searched her flat?"
Gene's eyes widened in horror as the truth hit him.
"Did you never wonder who tipped off the police about her supposed involvement in these murders?".
"You!" Gene erupted, "It was you! If you're telling me you did all of this just to get a poncy file back!".
"Yes DCI Hunt that is exactly what I am telling you!" the Spook announced, "We sent a team in to search her flat. We could not locate the Artemis file, but oh what a gold mine of other things we found!", the Spook continued his story, "the opportunity presented itself and it was decided to tip off another police station, name DI Drake as a suspect...Use her as bait if you will, to get to you".
"You bastards!!", Gene shouted and threw a hefty punch, hitting the MI5 agent squarely in the jaw.
The Spook fell backwards, toppling to the paved ground from the force of the Mancunian punch.
He held a hand to his jaw, dazed at the impact.
"No need for violence DCI Hunt", the Spook eventually spluttered from the ground, "What I bring you is the means to an end".
"I don't wanna hear it! That was for her!" Gene roared, looking down at the pitiful man on the pavement before him.
"Then in that case say goodbye to DI Drake for the next thirty years", the agent announced, "unless you want to end her ordeal now?".
"End it, how?" Gene reluctantly asked.
"Return Artemis", the Spook demanded, "and all will go the way you wish".
"How can you be sure of that?" Gene hated speaking to this man but the very thought that he could help Alex left him little choice in the matter. It was the first and only window of opportunity that had presented itself in Alex's situation.
"This jury was not chosen at random DCI Hunt", the Spook pulled himself back to his feet with as much dignity as he could muster.
"How do you mean?" Gene prompted him.
"Sarah Jones, 31, has been driving without insurance for six months", the Spook explained, "if she is found out she will lose her job. Raj Patel, 29, his uncle has been living in this country illegally for 6 years...if found out his uncle will be deported... Bill Patterson, 50, he's hiding stolen cash in his shed for a cousin who robbed a betting shop...All of these people, DCI Hunt, are open to being leant on by the security services. Need I go on? The verdict they give will be decided tonight, by your decision".
Gene looked away momentarily and let out a loud breath.
"You're saying I can get 'er out?" Gene checked, "that if you get your poxy file back Drake will go free?".
"That is exactly what we are saying DCI Hunt".
Gene paused, all the events and words of the last five minutes rushing through his head in a whirlwind. Finally he made his decision.
"Done!" he spat.
"You agree to our terms?" the Spook checked.
"If you agree to mine", Gene's voice was deadly serious.
"Which would be?" the Spook queried.
"You get your file back after the not guilty verdict", Gene stated, "not a moment before. Call it insurance".
The Spook thought for a moment
"Deal", he agreed, "but if the file is not returned, she will be re-arrested. There is always something we can pin on her".
"You'll get your bloody file", Gene answered.
"In that case DCI Hunt", the Spook bowed his head momentarily and held out his hand, "it has been a pleasure doing business with you".
Again Gene refused the agent's hand.
"Just make sure...not guilty...then I never want to lay eyes on you ever again!" Gene snarled and made his way back to the quattro.
The driver's door slammed. The powerful Audi engine roared into life and with a screech of tyres, the quattro roared angrily off down the road leaving just a whiff of exhaust fumes in the night air.
The Spook turned back to his Mercedes.
"Such a pleasant chap".
End chapter `14
Thanks again to Heidi from the Luigi's forum for beta-ing!
I do hope the twist has been worth the wait!