Disclaimer. I do not own New Tricks
Back to the Start.
Sandra stared out of the car window as Gerry drove along the rain soaked streets towards her house. She desperately didn't want to go home but she knew it was something she had to face sooner or later. Her mood was beginning to match the weather as Gerry swung the car left into her street. She thought briefly about leavig UCOS or at least taking some of her long overdue leave but then she realised she still wanted to be around her boys. Even Scampi was growing on her.
"Sandra." Gerry turned the corner as they reached her house.
"What?"
"Are you alright?"
"Yes Gerry."
"I mean, you know." He nodded towards her house as she closed her eyes briefly.
"Yes. Well, I can't stay at yours forever." She opened the car door as Gerry raised an eyebrow.
"Don't suppose there's any chance of a cuppa is there?" Gerry tried his best charm smile.
"Yeah." Sandra smiled back. "Come on."
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Strickland stared at the report on his desk. Even though he knew Emily would write what she had, seeing it in black and white made his stomach churn. He'd been the commanding officer of a corrupt copper and he hadn't known it until she had acted. He turned the page and read the statement Emily had carefully transcribed from the tape. As he read he realised exactly how close Sandra had come to being brutally murdered. Somehow Sandra had arrived. He didn't quite know how but it seemed UCOS lived to fight another day. He closed the file and turned off the ignored computer next to him. It had been a long few weeks, but now that theh CPS had agreed to prosecute Sally Morris and Lincoln and McCarthy were back in prison for breaching their licence UCOS would be able to get back to normal. He shook his head as he grabbed his suit jacket. Even after all the years he had known Sandra Pullman he had no idea what normal actually was for her team. He switched the lights off and headed home.
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"Hello Jack." Esther smiled as she opened the door. Scampi barked his own greeting as he ran towards his master's friend.
"Esther hello." Jack smiled. Scampi wagged his tail as Esther stepped back to let him in. "Is Brian home?"
"Oh yes, he's home." Esther rolled her eyes. "He's in there" She pointed to the living room.
"Oh." Jack smiled. He knew Esther had put up with alot from his friend over the years and couldn't help but smile sympathetically. He had no idea how she had stayed with him through the OCD, Alcoholism and all the other obsessive behaviours that had plauged their marriage but it was obvious they still adored each other. Jack knew there was no way Brian would have survived without her.
"Will you stay for some dinner?" Esther hated the thought of Jack going home to an empty house.
"Thanks, but what about Mark and Francesca?"
"Oh, they went about an hour ago. Just popped into show the scan photos off. Wonderful, never had them in my day." Esther smiled as Brian emerged from the living room.
"Jack."
"Hello Brian." Jack smiled as he noticed the knitting on the kitchen table. It seemed Esther was really looking forward to being a grandmother. "Strickland called."
"Yes?"
"The CPS are going ahead with the prosecution. Lincoln, McCarthy and Morris are all going to trial on charges of abduction and conspiracy to murder." Jack watched as Esther shook her head sadly. Brian smiled.
"We got her!" Brian watched as Jack nodded.
"Still got to go to court, but with Lincoln's confession and the evidence." He smiled.
"Poor Sandra." Esther folded her arms. "It still isn't over is it?"
"It is luv." Brian answered.
"No, she's right Brian." Jack glanced at the floor. "It's going to court. Sally pleaded innocent, despite what she said in the interview. Sandra is going to have to give evidence. And Sally knows that."
"It's why she changed her plea. To twist the knife." Brian was beginning to get angry.
"Exactly." Jack nodded.
"So, what can we do?" Brian looked from his wife to Jack and back again. For a moment there was silence until Esther tutted. The men really were useless.
"The only thing you can do, Brian. Look after her."
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Gerry leant against the front door as Sandra stepped into the hallway. He felt sick, remembering the last time he had been there. He remembered the blood stained wall and carpet. At the time they suspected the blood had belonged to Sandra, now they knew it did. He watched as she gingerly touched the healing wound on the back of her head.
"Gerry?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming in or what?" She turned to him.
"Get the kettle on then." He rubbed his hands as she stepped towards the kitchen. She was glad to be home but felt uneasy. The furniture and things around her were familiar but she no longer felt safe around her own house.
"Gerry?"
"Yeah."
"You're not in any rush, are you?"
"Nah." He smiled. "I could cook?"
"No, I'll order a chinese." Sandra picked up her phone. "You ok to stay? For a while?"
Gerry nodded as he picked up the menu on the kitchen table. The boiling kettle the only noise in the room. He hated takeaway food, but if it meant Sandra felt a little easier with offering him an excuse not to leave her on her own then he would settle for it this time.
"Yeah, course." He read the menu and resisted the urge to throw it in the bin. "She is going down for this. You know that? She can't hurt you now."
"I know." Sandra's voice was smaller than she intended. She was still the Guv. Still the one that had to be in control.
"Good." Gerry nodded. "And you are not on your own with this. You know that yeah? The place has been a bit empty without you around." He shrugged. Sandra couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, I know. Are we ordering this chinese or not?"
A/N I may write more New Tricks. We may not have seen the last of Sally Morris. Please review.