"DI Arnott." James repeated. "You're sure?".
"One hundred percent," Sally said.
"Got the bastard!" He said jubilantly to DS Howard as he punched his fist in the air, feeling totally justified in his dislike of the anti-corruption officer from the start.
"I would exercise some caution though," the FI advised, bringing James back down to earth with a bump. "The DNA from the semen is not the same as the DNA from the pubic hair. We are still awaiting a match on that,".
"Two attackers?" James asked.
"It's possible," Sally admitted, "but I didn't get the impression that was DCI Wheeler's hypothesis. Kate Fleming was attacked about twelve hours before she was found. We've looked at the semen under the microscope and there is a lot less sperm motility expected for a sample twelve hours old. It's more like twenty four hours. It suggests she had sex with DI Arnott before she was attacked,".
"Or her attack went on a lot longer than we thought," James added, not yet ready able to concede Steve might not be guilty. "Thanks, Sally," he said and the FI left the room.
"What do we do now?" DS Howard asked James once they were alone.
"I think we have enough to go and arrest DI Arnott," James said.
DS Howard looked a little uncomfortable about that idea. "Shouldn't we ask the Guv'nor and get his thoughts before we do that, especially as Sally has her doubts?" she asked.
"I know he did this," James said. "He's got prior form," he continued, hoping to convince his colleague. "Suspension for inappropriate sexual activity. It looks like he hasn't stopped. It's got worse! The DNA proves he had sex with DI Fleming,".
"So he might have had sex with her. It's not a crime. He may have raped her but we don't know for sure. We definitely don't have any evidence to say he was the one who beat DI Fleming up. We don't really have much at all,".
"Ok," James said, after considering what DS Howard had pointed out. "We arrest him for rape. We have enough to bring him in and question him about that,".
DS Howard considered the suggestion. "Ok," she agreed.
Together the two officers made their way to AC-12. The security guard once again directed them to the main office area once they had shown their ID badges.
Ted saw the two VCU members exit the lift and went over to meet them. "Steve!" He hollered, catching Steve's attention. Their visit might mean they had an update on Kate's case.
Steve looked up and recognised James Booth and followed Ted in going to meet them.
"Any news?" Ted asked once Steve had joined them.
"Yes, sir," James replied. "We have a DNA match from the semen sample recovered from the victim's body," he revealed.
"Excellent news," Ted said. This was a big break through and one that would hopefully help them get one step closer to catching Kate's attacker.
James turned to face Steve. He was going to enjoy this. "Steve Arnott, I am arresting you for the rape and attempted murder of Kate Fleming,".
"What?!" Steve asked in shock. This couldn't be happening.
DS Howard looked at her DI with shock as well. She thought they had decided to only arrest him for rape.
James ignored both of them and carried on reading Steve his rights as he pulled out his handcuffs and tried to attach them around Steve's wrists. "You have the right to remain silent but anything you might say-,".
"This is bullshit!" Steve exploded moving his wrists away so James couldn't cuff him. "I'm being set up!" he continued, looking at Ted.
"The DNA evidence would suggest otherwise," James retorted. "Maybe wear a condom next time if you don't want to get caught," he advised snidely.
Steve saw a look of disappointment cross Ted's face as he realised Steve might have slept with Kate. "Mother of God," he said angrily to Steve. "Did you learn nothing from the Lindsey Denton fiasco?" he asked. He had had stern words with Steve about getting in trouble having casual sex with women at the time and it looked as though Steve had heeded his advice. But obviously not.
Deflated at Ted's reaction and that once again his boss had lost faith in him, Steve's fight left him. He allowed James to cuff him and lead him away in front of his colleagues.
Ted couldn't watch. Seeing Steve in handcuffs took him right back to his previous arrest for the murder of Lindsey Denton. It had been painful at the time but to see it happening again was much worse.
It was deja vu again for Steve as he was put in the back of a police car and taken to Polk Avenue station where VCU were stationed.
He was led to a forensics room where he had the undignified experience of being made to strip off in front of a couple of forensic officers.
His clothes were bagged for evidence as he took them off and a very detailed exam of the skin all over his body was undertaken. Any bruise or cut meticulously documented and photographed which included a circular bruise on his neck revealed only when he had removed his shirt. Swabs were taken from under his fingernails. His pubic hair combed for any evidence of someone else's being there amongst his own. Bizarrely he was even asked to bite down on some sort of dental mould which he did without question.
Examination complete, he was given familiar looking grey trousers and top and led to a cell to await his interview.
"DS Howard, I want you to take a team of FI's and be in charge of the search of Arnott's flat," James instructed. Now Steve was under arrest they didn't have to ask permission to search his home.
"I think we should talk to DCI Wheeler before we do that," she replied tentatively, knowing it would anger the DI, but still a little uncomfortable at DI Arnott's arrest.
"Are you disrespecting an order, DS Howard?" Asked James.
"Yes, sir," DS Howard replied. She could well be committing career suicide by her actions but she had to do what she thought was right.
"DC Mitchell!" James said, not removing his icy glare from DS Howard.
"Yes, sir?".
"You'll be in charge of the search of DI Arnott's flat!".
"Yes, sir,!" The junior officer replied excitedly and hurried off.
James walked off without saying anything more to DS Howard. She had a feeling she wouldn't be involved much more in the investigation whilst DCI Wheeler wasn't present. Speaking of which, she pulled out her phone and tried calling her SIO.
Across town, Derek Wheeler's phone vibrated in his suit jacket pocket alerting him to an incoming call. Unfortunately he wasn't wearing it and had his AirPods in, listening to some classical music as the dentist drilled away.