A/N. Genuine thanks as ever to everyone who's read and reviewed, and I know my good friend KDN won't mind if the author reserves the right to respond to a couple of points.

Firstly, I take on board the comment about Sam flirting, but in this instance its Alex who's really being the flirt and I can't imagine him not responding in kind, especially under the circumstances.

Secondly, Phyllis is indeed a sex goddess but I also think she's too wise a woman to have made a pass at a senior colleague, especially a married one. Lusting from afar, however …

As for the emotional groundwork, I think Gene's doing his best for a bit of Northern rough, but you kind people will have to be the judge of that!

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Chapter 10

"So the first one was just tucked under the windscreen wiper?"

Gene nodded, his brow furrowed.

"Uh huh. And believe me, that tyre was badly slashed."

Sam frowned, picking up the second note.

"Time's running out. Ditch the slut or you pay the price."

He paused, drawing in a breath and letting out slowly.

"And Alex knows nothing about this?"

"I didn't want ter frighten her."

The younger man scratched his head trying to figure out a logical explanation. Knowing what he knew about Alex it seemed to make very little sense, but clearly he couldn't explain that to Gene.

"What could Phyllis tell you about the person who delivered it?"

Gene shrugged.

"Not much. Skinny teenage lad, no obvious distinguishin' features. Presumably the person behind this slipped him a few shillings ter do his dirty work."

Sam nodded, picking up the envelope. The words 'DCI Hunt' had been taken from the Manchester Gazette yet again, as had all the letters making up the second note. Not much to go on, he thought.

The two of them looked up warily as Annie knocked and entered without waiting for an invitation, and Gene swiftly moved a file to hide both pieces of evidence from view.

"Thought you were keepin' an eye on Alex, Cartwright?"

Annie grinned.

"Don't worry, Phyllis is with her. And I think you'll find its Tyler now, Guv."

Gene rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips.

"So it is, luv. Although God knows why when yer could've 'ad me."

He shook his head in mock disbelief and Sam snorted.

"Luckily, she's got excellent taste in men."

Gene opened his mouth to retort, but Annie got in first.

"And you've got excellent taste in women, Guv. Alex is great."

Both men blinked at her in surprise, and she laughed.

"What? You can't keep a secret round here for long, specially not the way you and her have been looking at each another."

Gene pouted, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"I don't know what yer mean."

"It's probably the drooling that really gave the game away, mind."

Annie smirked.

"Anyway, I've come to see what the two of you are up to and don't pretend there's nothing going on, I know you both too well."

Sam looked at Gene and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Why not, Guv? She studied psychology, remember, she might be able to help."

Gene shrugged, retrieving the two notes and passing them to Annie, who scanned them quickly and handed them back, biting her lip in thought.

"That's not all, though. The Guv's tyre was slashed and someone put a brick through his window. We think it must be someone connected to Alex."

Annie crossed her arms and looked from one to the other.

"I think you're barking up the wrong tree."

Gene's eyebrows shot up.

"How so?"

"Tyre slashed and a brick through the window? The references to Alex as a 'slut' and a 'tart'? I think this has more to do with the Guv."

The two men looked blankly at her.

"Doesn't it strike you like the actions of a jealous woman? A man would've made a more direct approach, possibly even confrontational. Is there an envelope?"

Sam passed it over.

"This was clipped from a report which referred to you specifically by name, Guv. It's one piece of newsprint rather than individual letters, see? When was the last time you were mentioned in the Gazette?"

Gene thought back.

"Couple of months ago, probably. That bank job we foiled."

"So someone kept that article for a reason, someone with an interest in you. And there's something else. One of those notes refers to you as 'Guv' so the chances are it's someone who's met you."

"A colleague? Or someone who's been in custody, maybe?"

Annie looked down at her husband and shrugged.

"Either are a possibility. But he's still known as the Guv outside work, so it could just as easily be someone he's come across socially."

Sam squeezed her hand, pride written on his face.

"Sometimes I know why I married you."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Only sometimes? Anyway, I'd better get back and rescue poor Alex. Phyllis will be giving her the third degree by now and it won't be the Guv's shoe size she's interested in."

Gene looked at Sam and then back at her.

"Come again?"

Annie rolled her eyes, grinning at them both.

"Surely you must know Phyllis has a thing for the Guv?"

Still smiling, she walked out of the office.

"Bloody hell."

Gene ran a hand through his hair.

"Wish I'd known ten years ago, I might've been tempted. Bet she's a right dirty mare given the chance."

He grinned wickedly and Sam sighed, shaking his head.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Guv, but weren't you still married back then?"

"So? I've never claimed to be a saint, Sammy boy. Seems the Mrs wasn't either."

Sam gave him a penetrating stare.

"And now? I like Alex too. You'd better not hurt her, Guv. She's too good for you and she's been through enough already."

You don't know the half of it, he thought, noticing Gene's jaw clench as he leaned back, his arms crossed defensively.

"Alex is different, Sam. God knows what she sees in me, but I 'ave no intention of screwin' it up, alright? "

Interesting, Sam thought. Seemed she really had got under his skin.

"So. She could be 'the one', then? I gather she's already got you taking romantic walks in the park."

He couldn't resist smirking at Gene's obvious discomfort.

"It wasn't like that. And we went ter the pub first, remember? Anyway, aren't we supposed ter be discussin' these notes? D'yer think Annie's on ter somethin'?"

Sam decided to stop teasing his friend and superior, and concentrate on the job in hand.

"I do. And I think we're going to have let Alex in on what's going on, don't you? I know you've been careful not to let her out of your sight for the last couple of days, but she deserves to be aware that she might be in some kind of danger. Meanwhile, you need to make a list of anyone you've been involved with over the last few months. It'll give us a starting point, at least."

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The plot thickens! All feedback welcome, specially as this is a bit of change from my normal style …