Disclaimer still not mine

Testify?

Chloe sat on the plastic chair in the hospital canteen. So much had changed for her in the past few days. Danny was still in the middle of the North Sea working on the oil rig, she knew she would be back soon and at least she had that to look forward to. It was difficult though she thought dealing with things on her own. Not only had Danny's father held her at gun point and shot a copper one of the coppers held with her had turned out to be her long lost father. Neither of them had known it at the time but since the shooting she had talked to her mother who had told her everything. Ronnie Brooks was her dad and she had two half sisters, both younger than her. Suddenly she had gone from being an only child to the oldest of three. It took a while to get used to.

"Hi" Alesha sat down opposite her.

"Hi" Chloe looked up

"You're Chloe Franklin? Elizabeth's daughter? Ronnie told me about you. I'm Alesha Phillips. Matt's girlfriend, the policeman that was shot. You saved his life" Alesha smiled.

"No I didn't I just called the ambulance" Chloe shrugged.

"Which saved his life. He nearly died. If he had got here any later, well" Alesha looked away.

"Mum said you would want to talk to me, they arrested him didn't they? Jimmy I mean" Chloe was nervous, she knew exactly who Alesha Phillips was. Alesha nodded.

"Yeah, he'll go back to prison anyway but he will go to trial. He killed a prison guard. Beat him to death and he shot my Matt." She closed her eyes as she spoke. It was still too raw "We need you to give evidence"

Chloe sat back in her chair for a moment before answering. She instantly liked the junior Crown Prosecutor in front of her. The noise of the hospital canteen seemed to fade in to the background.

"I've been going out with Danny for about a year, you know he's a nice lad. Treats me right, nice to my mum. Hard to believe his father is who he is" She shook her head "I know what Jimmy was like when Danny was a kid. He deserves to be in prison for a very long time, if not for what he's done now for what he did then. I'll testify and I'll do it with pleasure" Chloe held Alesha's gaze as she spoke. Alesha couldn't help but smile.

xxxxxxxxx

Ronnie and Natalie walked along the hospital corrodor towards the High Care Unit both relieved that Matt was now off the life support machine. Both were deep in conversation about the case. Ronnie wanted Donovan and Morris back in prison for the rest of their lives. Natalie sighed.

"You know Ron, Donovan broke the terms of his licence. He's going to be inside for a long time now he's been recalled to prison. Morris is not going to get bail. He was already a serving prisoner when he escaped" Ronnie pushed his glasses up his nose as she spoke.

"I know" He paused "But I'd like to make sure he ain't getting out any time soon" Natalie nodded as they pushed the door open to the high care ward. Matt was sat up in bed staring in to space as they entered the room. Natalie was struck by how young he really was.

"Matt?" She sat in the chair next to him.

"Hello son" Ronnie started as Matt turned to face them. His heavily bandaged chest was still visible through his bullky t shirt. He was as pale as a ghost and looked in pain.

"Thanks for coming" He smiled as Natalie looked at least a little relieved. Ronnie knew him better and was instantly worried.

"You alright son?"

"Apart from a bloody great hole in my chest and possible permanent damage to my left arm I am fine" He smiled "Tell me you found Morris" He looked from one to the other.

"We did. James and Alesha are helping build the case. We got him Matt. We bloody got him" Natalie smiled as Matt looked relieved.

"Chloe came in earlier" He looked directly at Ronnie "Says she's your daughter, you kept that one quiet didn't you Ron?" Natalie was relieved to see Matt smiling, even if it was at Ronnie's expense. Ronnie just raised his eyebrows.

"I'm as amazed as you are Matty boy. Told you I lost half of the 80s, I'm amazed I was in any fit state for anything in those days. She's a nice kid though. All down to Liz of course" He sighed. He had been an alcoholic for most of the 1980s and a few years in to the 1990s. He had been sober for years but was still ashamed of his behaviour, knowing his drinking had cost him two marriages and almost his relationship with his daughters. It was something he would always regret.

"She's gone with Alesha. I think Alesha is talking to her about giving evidence" Matt couldn't help but smile when he spoke about his girlfriend.

"Oh right" Ronnie looked back towards the door on the ward. "Where's your Kate?"

"Gone back to my flat. Needs some sleep. Her and Lesh were here when I was in surgery" Matt was slightly embarrassed that the two women had stayed in the hospital. Natalie smiled as she got to her feet.

"Anyway, I'm going to speak to James and George Castle later. I want this in court as soon as. I know I can't decide the court date but if I can get George to push for a date as soon as possible maybe we can put all this behind us" She nodded to Ronnie before telling Matt to take care and leaving them to it. Ronnie took his glasses off and looked at the younger detective.

"Right, now that the Guv is out of 'earshot, you can tell me what is really going on" He watched as Matt dropped his head back against the pillow knowing that whatever he said Ronnie was not going to give up until he knew the truth.

xxxxxxxxx

James sat in his office as George walked in. He looked up from the paper work he had been going through as George sat in the large leather arm chair opposite James' desk. He waited a moment before James asked.

"Can I help you George?"

"I have had Natalie Chandler on the phone. She tells me there is a chance Matthew Devlin may never fully regain the use of his arm curtesy of our not so friendly escape artist. Now the sooner we get this case to court the better for all concerned." George watched as James nodded.

"I agree"

"Good" George paused.

"What is it?"

"Jimmy Morris has told his brief to enter a plea of not guilty. This will be going to a court case. Alesha may be called to give evidence. After all she was the one Morris called to say he had got to the police. Along with Ronnie and Matthew she will have to give evidence" He spoke calmly as James stared in shock. He had never even considered having to cross examine his friend. Alesha was probably the best friend he had and the thought of putting her on the stand after the last time she had been put through it made him feel uneasy. He knew she was still dealing with the aftermath of her attack.

"She is probably one of our best prosecutors" James snapped as George raised his hands in acknowledgement. Neither had seen or heard Alesha enter the office.

"Thanks" She smiled "But I'll gladly give evidence against Jimmy Morris." James smiled slightly.

"Are you sure?" James asked as she raised her eyebrows.

"Of course I am. What that monster did, not just to Matt, but terrifying Chloe and with what he went down for last time I want to see him go back to prison" She folded her arms across her grey dress as George nodded. He was pleased she was so determined. Some of the fight she had lost after her attack was back in full force.

"The only thing I want to know is, who is goign to act as co council with you James" She watched as James seemed to realise what she was suggesting. George clapped his hands together. The scotsman clearly pleased that the question had been raised.

"Me. About time I got back in the saddle" He stood as Alesha tried not to laugh at the pained expression on James' face. This trial was definately going to be interesting.

author's note. Is anyone still reading? Next time the trial.