Alex shut the door obediently and perched herself of the end of Gene's desk. She avoided eye contact with him and distinctively looked down at the floor.
"Look, Alex" Gene sighed, pouring himself a measure of scotch, "You have to start working with us. Not against us. The whole bloody operation was buggered up because you can't keep your tongue inside that pretty little head of yours."
He looked over at her, waiting for some objection or some psychiatry bollocks that he didn't understand. Angry at no response, he continued, raising his voice a little, " You pull one more stunt like you did yesterday out on the docks, and you might find yourself suspended, Drake."
Gene winced as he spoke, realising how icy and professional he was being. He stopped and waited for a reply. Nothing. "Drake!" He shouted, just enough to get a reaction from her.
Alex looked up at him through her fringe, small tears trickling down her cheeks.
"Bolly" Gene said, instantly regretting what he had just said. "I'm sorry I didn't mean…"
"I'm fine. It doesn't matter." She said, her voice cracking slightly, refraining herself from crying out loud.
"What's the matter?" He asked
"Nothing. Can I go now?" She asked, sniffing.
"What's going on Bolly? What's happened?" Gene walked towards her, and stood in front of the door.
"Last night, after we had that stupid bloody argument." Alex said, taking a few deep breaths, desperately trying to calm herself, "I walked home. I was about to cross the road and go into Luigi's when this bloke behind me shouted something. I turned around and he hit me across the face." She pulled some of her hair out of her eyes, and revealed a huge black bruise. "I fell to the ground, I wasn't expecting it. He started kicking me in the back and ribs. I was so scared!" she sobbed, clutching her side. She pulled up her top halfway and showed Gene her painful ribs.
"What did you do?" He asked, glassy eyed.
"I shouted…I shouted for you…but you never came!" She whispered.
"Then what?" He asked, turning his head in disgrace
"He heard some people coming down the road and legged it. It was him Gene. That bloke we've been after. Max Kanns."