5

Sandra had barely said a word on the return journey. Guy Michaels has unnerved her. For a very elderly man he appeared remarkably robust. It was clear that they had been lied to. She couldn't help but think the former police officer was trying to protect someone or something. Changing gear she silently cursed the cyclists in front of them.

"Guv?"

"What?" Sandra snapped. Gerry ran a hand over his face as he considered the next words.

"The girls only met at Uni. We know that much. Both from stable families, no criminal records." He sighed. "We don't know how much pressure was on them to work in the brothel."

"And we don't know how or why they didn't actually prostitute themselves." Sandra sighed. "And why would your old DI want to hide anything from us? Thought you said Michaels was old school." She shot him a look as Gerry's eyes widened.

"He's ancient. Older than Jack. Perhaps he seemed Shifty because he didn't want us to think es loosing is marbles." Gerry huffed. Sandra reluctantly agreed, knowing that she would do the same.

"Lucy and Karen are still dead. The person responsible is still out there." Sandra pressed her foot to the accelerator. "All we have to go on is old patchy case notes, out of date forensics and you!"

"Me?" Gerry looked nonplussed. "What did I do? Or not do? You know, this case has haunted me for years. I can see why you think I messed up when I do an all." Sandra rolled her eyes before pulling the car over to the curb.

"Gerry." She stated firmly as she killed the engine. He looked at his hands. "Gerry!" He looked up. "I don't think that. You were a good copper. They didn't call you Last Man Standing for nothing."

"I'm not saying I'm was on the take. More incompetent." He shook his head. "They were so young."

"Inexperienced and a bit cocky, yes I can imagine that but what I can't imagine and haven't said is you being careless. Now cmon. This self pitying crap doesn't suit you. In fact it's bloody annoying. And more importantly it's not helping us get justice for Karen or Lucy." She snapped as her phone began ringing. She pressed the button on the dashboard to activate handsfree.

"Ted?"

"Awlright you two? I jus went through the old forensic evidence files. Reckon we can put Lucy's jumper and shoes through the system again. New tech and all that. Might get lucky."

"Worth a try." Sandra agreed.

"Also Brian found an address for the lad Lucy was engaged to. Jack and Brian are heading over there now."

Gerry pulled a face. Sandra started the engine again. "Ok, thanks Ted. I'm going to go over to the Uni see if any lecturers remember the girls. We'll call when we are on the way in."

"Ok Guv." Ted ended the conversation as Gerry raised an eyebrow.

"We weren't gonna go to the Uni."

"Well we are now." Sandra pulled the car out into the main traffic.

Xxxxx

"What now?" Steve asked as he got in the driving seat. Sasha shrugged.

"Back to the station."

He started the engine, still not sure why the senior officer had been so cold with the former Madam. All he had seen was an older woman running around after her grandchildren while smoking herself to death. He didn't know why she had taken against the woman so decidedly.

Er?"

"What?" She snapped as she looked out of the window.

"What happened back there? Brenda was only a witness. Not a suspect." He drove aware she was glaring at him.

"She isn't as innocent as you'd think. Back then she was 30. Older than our vics, yeah but she could have done something to prevent it. She had influence on those girls."

"Doesn't make her guilty."

"It does, if she introduced them to their killer. If she knew what was going to happen." Sasha stared firmly. Steve decided to drop the subject; knowing there was no way Sasha was going to let things go. He had a feeling they were still a long way from finding the truth.

Xxxxxx

A/N please review