"How many is that?" Gene rubbed both of his hands over his face in an attempt to keep himself awake. It was long past six and they'd been interviewing Underground employees all day.
"Eight today. For us. DC Martin has been checking alibis for Saturday night. I think he's got through" she stopped to look at a sheet of paper. "Looks like he's been through another 12 that had alibis that checked out."
Alex put the sheet of paper down on the table. She and Gene had been in the interview room all day and had come up empty.
"I can't believe how many Underground staff have form." She lay her head down on the table. "I could use a drink."
"That's a bloody brilliant idea." Gene sat up. "Is Ray back from checking out his drug dealer tip yet?"
Alex shook her head. "I have no idea. I haven't seen him."
"Well if 'e doesn't turn anything up by tomorrow I'm pullin' 'im off it until we get this case closed. We need 'im to conduct some interviews if we're gonna get through everyone."
"We're never going to get through everyone Gene." Alex had stood up and opened the door to the interview room. "Come on. I'll buy the first round."
"Then make mine a double."
--
A few whiskies and several glasses of wine later Gene and Alex were huddled together at their corner table, trying to convince each other they should hang out with the team for a while longer when what they both wanted to do involved popping buttons, dueling tongues and sweaty flesh. They each settled for another drink.
"Where the bloody hell is Carling?" Alex had her hand on his thigh under the table. He wished she'd move it a bit higher.
"Never came back to the office Gene. Did anyone try to get him on the radio?"
"Yeah. Said 'e'd be 'ere." He started to stiffen when she granted his wish. He leaned towards her ear. "Bloody hell Alex. Not going t' be able to walk out of 'ere."
Alex giggled. "Did he get anything on Barret? Oh, wait. Here he is." She looked up to see Ray walking into the restaurant. But he wasn't alone. "Who's that?"
"Oo's what?" Gene lit a cigarette.
"Who's that with Ray?" Alex watched as he walked into the bar, the rest of the team turning to say hello. Suddenly the bar went quiet. "My god, Gene it's Cazzie."
"Oo's Cazzie? 'N 'e's 'ere now c'n we leave?" He leaned closer, his mouth pressed to her ear. "Like to see you naked." And in a minute she'd be naked on their table.
"Yeah. OK" She answered absently. "In a minute." Leaving a frustrated Gene, Alex got up and walked across the restaurant. Shaz was staring with a look that matched her own.
"Shaz?"
Shaz shrugged and shook her head. "I dunno." The two women continued staring as Ray made his way to the crowded table. Cazzie followed somewhat nervously.
"Yeah yeah" they heard Ray answer as he approached the tables. The group had recovered quickly and they were already giving Ray stick.
"Just stopped by to say that the wedding's back on. You'll all be getting' your invitations soon."
Waiting until he could get up from his table without causing a scene, Gene moved towards where Alex was sitting, hoping to drag her upstairs as quickly as possible. He stopped when he heard Ray's announcement.
Alex watched as Ray tried to avoid looking at Gene, accepting congratulatory hands all around the table. He thought he'd wrung the last hand when another stuck out in front of him. It was Gene.
"Good job you lucky bastard" he grumbled, as his face split into a grin.
Alex nearly fell off her chair. Gene was happy for Ray? Since when. Exactly how much had he had to drink tonight? Her amazement was interrupted by a small voice.
"'Scuse me." It was Cazzie. "Do you girls mind if I join you?"
Shaz stared up at her. "Yeah. OK."
Alex recovered quickly. "Of course Cazzie. Please sit down." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Gene slap Ray on the back and heard him order a round of drinks, on him. She'd get to the bottom of this later.
"Thanks. I didn't want to come here, but Ray insisted. He said it was time we let everyone know." She seemed a bit nervous. But chatty as ever, Alex noticed. "I think he didn't want to go sneakin' around behind his DCI's back. If you want to know the truth. He said everyone was noticing that he was leaving early, so we ought to just come right out and stop hiding it."
"I'm a bit confused." Alex interrupted. "How long have you been back with Ray?"
"I never actually left. But it did take a bit for him to take me back."
Shaz blinked a few times. "Now I'm confused. Not to be rude or anything, but you ran off on your wedding day."
Alex thought Cazzie at least had the good sense to look a bit embarrassed at that. "Well, not exactly. I mean, I did miss the wedding and all that, but I never got on any trains. I'd had a bit to drink, so I wasn't really thinking correctly. I got as far as King's Cross and realized what I was doing. Turned right around and went home."
"You went home? That night?"
Cazzie nodded.
Shaz's tone was accusing. "So why skip the wedding?" She might not like Ray all the time, but he was one of them. "How could you do that to Ray?" Alex couldn't help staring at Cazzie too.
"I didn't. I went back home. I must've been pissed when I wrote that note. Then I was embarrassed." She looked down at the table. "I usually don't drink that much, you know. I couldn't face Ray. But I missed him. I called after a few days, but he was angry and wouldn't talk to me." She smiled. "Didn't give up. After a couple of weeks he agreed to see me again. I managed to make him believe I was just pissed, that nothing happened."
"So he's agreed to marry you? Again?"
"Agreed? He's insisting. And I want to. Proper wedding this time. Get married in a church. Real reception at a hotel. Probably out of the city a bit. Make a weekend of it." Cazzie smiled again.
Alex sat back in her chair. Suddenly anything was possible.
"'Ladies." It was Gene.
Alex indicated the chair next to her. "Join us?"
He shook his head. "Sorry love" he addressed Cazzie. "We'll have to catch up some other time." He grabbed Alex by the hand. "Past Inspector Drake's bed time. Come on Alex," he tugged her towards the door.
--
Inside the flat Gene pulled Alex into the bedroom. Cupping her face in his hands he bruised her lips with his, growling. "Been wanting to fuck you all night. C'n barely stand to not touch you." He pushed her jacket off her shoulders, pulling her blouse over her head as his hands returned up her body. "No don't" he growled again, swatting her hands away as she tried to unbutton his shirt, touch his chest.
Pushing her onto the bed he leaned over her, feet still on the floor. Alex tried to touch him again, but he grabbed her wrists, pinning them to the bed. Burying his face in her neck he kissed, bit, licked her flesh. Her nipples grew hard beneath the satin of her bra, not bothering to remove it as he sucked at them. He dropped to his knees on the floor, pulling off her jeans and knickers with one tug as he buried his tongue between her legs. Dipping his tongue inside her, he teased her clit until she cried out, begging for more. "Take me. Make me yours." Gene stood quickly, as his trousers dropped to his ankles and he kicked her legs wide. "You are mine." Hooking his arm under one leg he entered her hard, thrusting deep inside. Alex groaned. "Oh god Gene. You're so hard."
Gene groaned and bent lower, pulling her leg up, leaning over her on the bed. Thrusting slowly a few times, he sped up quickly, short, hard, fast strokes, never completely inside her. Alex whimpered underneath him. He still wore all his clothes and she loved it, feeling him dominate her, taking what he wanted. "More" she begged and he thrust harder, faster. "Can't stop Alex" he breathed. Releasing her leg he dug his fingers into her hips, pulling her onto him, driving deep into her as he exploded.
Silently, Gene rolled onto his back as he lay on the bed panting, his legs still hanging over the side. After a few moments Alex propped herself up and started to undress him slowly. She loosened his tie, pulling it over his head. As she unbuttoned his shirt her hand slid over his chest, feeling the sweat there and his heart pounding under it.
"You OK?" he finally asked.
"Mmm hmm." She nodded, kissing him on the forehead before dropping to the floor and removing his shoes, tugging his trousers down past his ankles.
"Didn't plan t' be so rough" he murmured finally naked, as he climbed over to his side of the bed. Alex followed, lying close to him as he propped his head up on one elbow.
"You weren't so rough" she smiled up at him, the back of her hand grazing over his chest.
"Izzat a challenge?" he grinned.
Alex laughed. "Maybe. You seemed awfully happy for Ray tonight. Buying a round? I thought for a minute you'd had too much to drink."
Gene smiled. "Nah. Not too much." He paused. When should he tell her? "Ray's a big boy. If he wants to get married, maybe it is for the better." His hand smoothed over Alex's body, memorizing her curves, teasing her breasts, each nipple peaking hard under his touch.
Alex wriggled closer. "Quite a change from your attitude not too long ago, Gene."
"Yeah. Well. Maybe I have gone soft." He smirked playfully. He didn't want to talk about it any longer. Afraid she'd shut him down before he got the chance to ask. "Enough about Ray" he slid his hand lower, between her legs, teasing her clit as he slid his fingers inside her.
Alex took a sharp breath. "Already? A bit fast even for you."
He chuckled low as his fingers thrust into her rhythmically, her hips responding eagerly. "Be ready in a bit, but until then..." He covered her mouth with his as he drove her slowly towards her peak. "Want to watch" he growled. Eyes on hers he coaxed her further, fingers dipping inside, teasing her clit as she moaned in ecstasy. By the time she came Gene was hard again and moved over her, entering slowly, deeply as she pulsed around him, her body shaking. With each long, slow stroke he pushed deeper, groaning as he moved closer to his own climax. "Want you always Alex" he murmured. She felt his thrusts speed up, become more erratic. "Love you Gene, I love you." Clinging to his neck she arched her back as they moaned together, peaking together with their final frantic thrusts.
--
By mid-Tuesday afternoon Gene had interviewed another six possible suspects, and Alex had taken six of her own. They'd decided before they started that they could get through more of them if they split up. Alex had DC Jenkins with her and Gene had taken a new transfer, DC Hollis. Alex had thought briefly that it was a bit cruel to stick the new guy with Gene just two weeks onto the team, but had got over it. Ray and Chris were off chasing Charlie Barret so they'd just have to make do.
Alex met Gene in the corridor. "Anything?"
He shook his head, pouting. "Bloody waste of time." He followed as she walked towards the squad room.
"Well we have to keep at it. We could still turn up something before he strikes again."
"'E's probably done a runner by now. Not exactly a big secret we've been bringing Underground staff in."
"No, but I do think it's better this way. More of a chance that someone will notice something suspicious now."
Gene grunted as they walked into his office. "Maybe. Still. It's been two days. Have Shaz call up the personnel and see if anyone has called in sick or hasn't shown up for their shift."
Alex nodded and stepped out of his office.
Before she got to her desk, Ray burst through the double doors, Chris on his heels.
"Got 'im, Guv!" He rushed towards Gene's office.
"Wot?"
"Barret. The tip paid off." Ray was breathing hard, as if he'd run up the four flights to CID. "But it gets better."
"Why? What happened?" Alex leaned against her desk as Ray turned to face her. She was sure she'd never seen him so excited.
"Barret. On the way over here he kept goin' on about how he had information we need. I gave 'im a smack, but he says 'e knows something about out serial killer."
"What?" Alex leapt off the desk.
Ray nodded vigorously. "I've got 'im cuffed to the table in the interview room. Uniform is stationed outside."
"Well then. Let's see what the drug dealin' bastard has to say. Would you like to join us, Ray?"
Ray nodded again and followed them out.
--
"So, Charlie, looks like it's your unlucky day, eh?"
"Could be" he sneered. "But I'm betting you'll want to make it all better for me before the day's out."
"And why is that, Charlie?" Alex asked quietly.
"Because I know what you're lookin' for. Or should I say who you're looking for? Can I have a fag?"
"No." Gene lit one for himself. "Detective Carling here tells me that you think you know who's responsible for killing these young women."
"I may have some information." He eyed Gene's cigarette.
"How is it you only feel like comin' forward now? When you're in custody?" Gene spat the last few words.
"Well I don't exactly work for the Met, now, do I?"
Gene shifted in his chair, managing to shove the table forward six inches in the process. Barret's chair tipped backward, but he managed not to fall over by grabbing the edge of the table.
"I suppose not." Gene took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke in Barret's direction. He crossed his legs and the table moved again slightly. Alex could sense Ray standing behind her, knew he wanted to leap over the table and assist Barret's descent towards the floor.
"I can help. I know someone. One of my regular customers." Barret was losing his grip.
"Well spit it our Charlie! I haven't got all day."
"I've got this customer. Coked up all the time. Said he works for the Underground. Comes by two weeks ago, all hopped up looking to make a purchase, starts goin' on about how he's involved in something big. Really big he says. Says all the police are looking for him. I don't pay any attention, he's a bloody coke head - and I certainly don' want the police around. So I sent him on his way. After I took 'is money, of course."
"And how does this help me, Charlie?"
"Because he came by again last week. Jumping all over the place." Barret adjusted his grip on the table. "Kept going on about how nobody could mess with him. That he was a killer. That he had protection. I thought he was a whacked out coke-head. Told him to take his drugs and have a nice day.."
"That's it?" Alex tried not to sound hopeful Best lead they'd had. "What about his name?"
"No name until I make a deal."
Gene exhaled loudly, then looked at Alex. She nodded. "If this lead turns up the killer there will be a deal. But you will not walk."
"Fair enough. And I want my lawyer when we work it out."
Gene agreed. "Name."
"Martin Pierce."
--
"Ma'am" Shaz hung up the phone and turned around to where Alex and Gene were standing. They'd had Barret locked up, and were waiting on an address for their suspect. "Just spoke to the supervisor. Martin Pierce hasn't shown up for work for two days."
"Has 'e got an address?" Gene barked.
"Shaz" flinched a little, handing Gene a piece of paper.
--
They found Martin at his flat, hiding in the bathroom. The young girl Jenny had been right. Martin couldn't stop talking, and had practically confessed to everything by the time they got him back to the station. It didn't stop Ray from kicking him in the balls once he'd been taken to a cell.
"Sorry Ma'am," he'd said to Alex as he locked the door behind him. "Must've slipped."
"Yes. The floor is quite slippery Ray."
Ray followed Alex upstairs. They waited until Gene hung up the phone before entering.
"Super?" Alex asked.
Gene nodded. "Yes. Wants to call the press right now and tell them we've made an arrest."
"I don't think that's a very good idea. We haven't even - "
"I know." Gene interrupted. "I asked if he could please hold off one day. Wait until we get a chance to interview him with a lawyer present. One should be here first thing." He stood, pouring whisky for himself and one for Alex. "Ray?" He poured a third when Ray nodded.
"He couldn't possibly have committed these murders all alone Gene. You saw him."
"Maybe. I'm not convinced yet. If he's all jumped up on cocaine he might be capable of a lot more than you'd expect. Forensics team is in his flat. Maybe they'll find something that will help us out."
"Like evidence?"
"Yes, evidence would be helpful. Clues to a second killer. Anything."
Ray spoke for the first time. "Shaz is tryin' t' find any family members. Workmates who might know something. He usually worked a day shift. Me 'n Chris are going down in the morning to talk to anyone who might know him. See if they noticed anything, or know of anyone he might have spent a lot of time with."
Gene nodded. "Good Ray." Ray turned to leave. "And Ray? Good job."
"Thanks Guv."
Gene finished his drink and stood up. "That's a full day." It was near 9:00. "Let's go home."
"You don't want to stop for a drink?"
"Nope." Alex looked surprised. "What? I just had one." He indicated his empty glass. "Honestly, I'd much rather have you." He opened the door, letting her go first.
"Such a gentleman, Mr. Hunt."
"Not for long."