Hi guys, sorry it's taken me so long, I haven't had the inspiration of late.

Anyway, here we go…

Chapter 17

Gene arrived back at the station wet to the bone and in as fowl mood as the weather. He wasn't sure what to do. He'd paced about the town aimlessly, thinking and almost hoping that the rain would simply wash him away. A large whack of money was to anyone a large whack of money, even an experienced, high-ranking detective. Gene knew he'd taken a fair few backhanders in his time, enough for a new frock for the Misses, maybe the odd half dozen bottles of single malt, but Gene knew for sure that Bank robbery was not checks and balances.

Before walking into the main office space Gene closed his eyes tight, breathed in a willed himself over thirty years into the past. He wanted to smell stale cigarette smoke, coffee and three Scotches to many. He didn't like the predicament he was in at all, and in barely half an hours time he'd get a call from Morgan. A WPC knocked into him accidentally and Gene opened his eyes and stared down the worried looking officer.

"Sorry sir." She muttered and all Gene could do was sigh.

Pushing inside the office Gene whistled loudly to no effect.

"Oi!" He called once and again until someone took notice. After what felt like an age to Gene he managed to get a large group's attention including Maya and Mark.

"Right ladies and gents." Gene began, doing his best to ignore the raised eyebrows at his current state. "I have been tipped off by a very, very reliable source that there is going to be a bank robbery big time."

"When and where?" A confused detective asked and Gene smiled.

"Well, in half an hour, just, I will be receiving a phone call telling me when it's going to happen. But for now, we need unmarked police cars at both ends of London road." Gene surprised himself with the authority he spoke with, he was sure that he would be out of touch.

The team he had gathered stood there shocked for a second before moving off quickly. Gene grabbed Maya's arm. "No need 't cause panic love, but at the same time, we're likely to get a call from a shop telling us there's a bomb. It's likely to be a dud, but best turn out to keep up appearances. Have the bomb squad on standby." Maya looked into Gene's eyes, shocked and bewildered, Gene had a look that screamed 'Honestly' and so with a nod Maya made a phone call quickly.

Gene made a spot check of what everyone was doing and divided up the department accordingly. Suddenly the on duty desk sergeant dashed in,

"Sir, a report of a bomb, Queen's Park Road, at the supermarket."

Gene swore as he checked the time, nearly twenty minutes early, clearly Morgan didn't trust him, probably with good reason.

"Right gents, send the bomb squad and two units of uniforms, the rest of you, London Road. Now!" Gene yelled before sprinting towards the door. Suddenly it felt like '73 again, the IRA bombing and the adrenalin rush.

Gene had demanded to take the roll of driver, much to the horror of Mark, Maya and the other officers in the car. It was no Cortina, clearly, but Gene threw it about as if it was.

"You'll kill us!" Maya exclaimed but Gene simply rolled his eyes.

Haven't they ever been in high-speed pursuit before?

"All units," A female voice came over the police radio and Maya, who was in the front with Gene, answered it.

"Yeah." Maya said,

"There's been a report of armed bank robbery, London Road, in progress." The voice said and Gene rolled his eyes again.

"Obviously! Tell 'em we're all over it." Gene said and Maya relayed the message.

Gene pulled up several doors down from the bank. As soon as they got out of the car they could hear the alarms sounding and several screams.

"C'mon you girl's blouses!" Gene said gesturing that they should follow.

"Sir, shouldn't we wait for armed backup?" A timid WDC asked and Gene sighed.

"We'll we could do that, sure, but lets resolve the issue another way." Gene said before turning, he felt like punching himself for wanting to go all gay-boy psychology. And anyway, although he didn't want to let on as yet, he'd had the forethought to come armed. Gene crossed the road to get a far off view, the traffic both ways had come to a standstill to observe. The front glass door was not only opened but also smashed and Gene could see the feet of people pinned to the floor, the only standing where three blaggers, armed and dressing in all black. Gene crossed the road again as if to directly walk in, and fired two shots into the air.

That'll get their attention.

And it did.

Ha ha! Sorry to leave it as a cliffhanger, but it's a bit more dramatic this way, and I wont leave you hanging for long, honest.

(Cheers guys for sticking with me, all views greatly welcomed.)