Breakthrough?
"I hate press conferences." Strickland shoved his hands in his pockets as Sasha fell into step beside him. She shrugged.
"It might help."
"All those journalists. Sat there like vultures picking over the bones of the case." Strickland led her to his office. "Its morbid."
"It might lead to something. Jog someone's memory."
"Ah." He nodded. "A necessary evil?"
"I know someone else who thinks that way." Sasha stepped past him into the office. Strickland raised an eyebrow as he turned to her.
"Who?"
"Ned."
"Oh. Well, that's the only opinion I share with that man." He watched as she smiled. "Really? Every press conference I have ever held or attended has been soul destroying. If its not the police officer leading the case speaking its some heartbroken parent or family members." Sasha nodded.
"I know." She stepped towards him. "That's the worst part of it. But if it helps solve the case then it has to be worth it."
"Yeah" Strickland hugged her. "Yeah, I hope so."
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"What time is it?" Gerry asked as he walked back into the hotel room from the bathroom. Sandra looked up as he joined her.
"Here? 7 am. In London. I have no idea. Clare called, we can see Zack earlier than they thought. Apparently they are moving him to Canberra later today as he's too violent to have in the current prison."
"Rehabilitation at its best." Gerry huffed as he sat next to her. "What's e done?"
"Attacked a female nurse at the prison. Tried to strangle her apparently." Sandra tried to keep the venom out of her voice. "Seems he has a real problem with women in general and intelligent women in particular."
"He's going to love you then." Gerry narrowed his eyes. "Let me talk to him on me own."
"No."
"Sandra."
"Last night doesn't change anything. Not regarding work. I am still your Guv."
"I know that." He turned to her. "Look, last night. If you think it was a mistake."
"Do you?"
"No." Gerry stated firmly. "That's not what I am saying. You know ow I feel about you, Sandra." She looked him straight in the eye as he spoke, knowing that he was being completely honest with her. She nodded.
"It wasn't a mistake. Not for me anyway."
"Good." Gerry smiled.
"And I asked you to keep this quiet because I am rubbish at relationships. I don't want Jack fretting, Brian having a panic attack and Steve and Ted gloating." She touched his hand. "If it all goes tits up."
"Who says it will?" Gerry watched her.
"It will if you start treating me any different. I am your Guv remember. I wont do anything to threaten UCOS. Sasha and Strickland may be able to hold down a relationship but I am her immediate boss, not him."
Gerry nodded. "Ok Guv. Inside work we are the same as ever. Only thing you need to realise."
"Is what, Gerry?"
"I've always treated you differently." He handed her the jacket she had left on the bed. "C'mon. Clare will be waiting."
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"Right," Jack walked back into the office, heading straight for the kettle. "As the press conference done any good?"
Brian took his football scarf off, leaving it handing loosely over the back of his chair. He shrugged. "Dunno, will check me emails."
"Its all over the papers." Steve announced as he walked back into the room. "Any news from the Guv and Gerry?" Jack shook his head as he handed him a mug of tea.
"No, not since yesterday morning. They were going to interview our main suspect at the prison." Danny announced as the team took their usual places. "Sasha hasn't said anything. Just have to wait I suppose." Jack nodded, agreeing with his colleagues. He just couldn't help but worry about Sandra and Gerry on the other side of the world. Part of him hoped things were just as they always were but another part hoped they'd finally get their acts together. He sipped his tea wondering about the case and if they would ever get justice for two young women who time seemed to have forgot.
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The ride to the prison was mostly in silence as Clare drove. They knew about the violent attack on the prison nurse overnight - that she was currently intubated and ventilated in the intensive care unit of the local hospital. Clare had explained how another inmate had managed to pull Zack off, getting a head injury and a night in the hospital infirmary in the process. The thought of Sandra facing the violent man made Gerry's blood run cold. He resisted the urge to look across at her as Clare pulled the car into the prison car park.
"He's going to be a nightmare." Clare explained. Sandra nodded.
"Don't worry. So am I."
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A/N please review
