Defeating the Enemies: Chapter 11 - A Price to pay: Part 1
Very much an angst chapter, i wanted to try to build up the drama in this one as it draws to a close resulting in something big happening at the end. I've based Rupesh Malenga on Martin Summers from Series 2 but with a bit more charming and deception added to his character. Chapter Unbeta'd
In London on that very Monday morning as the bright hazy sun shined through the red bedroom curtains of the small bedroom , Today was the day that they were preparing to arrest Ryan Carlton and possibly charging him for the murder of Ricky Stevens. Having left Gene fast asleep in the double bed for a dew minutes, Alex was busy in the bathroom, brushing her teeth . Yes It had certianly been a busy few days for both of them but for Alex she felt the happiest that she'd ever been before, in a long time , happily in love, yes there would be some things or warnings possibly said by the Superintendent if he found out about the DCI and DI's personal relationship but she didn't really careas along as they stayed together happily in love with one another.
After finishing in the bathroom, she then exited looking in to the bedroom to see if he was still fast asleep but the bed was currently empty and the bed sheets were messed up.
"Gene?…" shouting his name as she was left feeling puzzled as to where he was, as his clothes (trousers, blue silky shirt and jacket) were still there laid along the red carpet floor and that the room had smelt of recently smoked cigarettes and booze.
Then she looked around the corner of the door in the living room, finding him sitting up on the settee, hands over his head with what looked like to be photos on the coffee table. He'd been looking at them for the past twenty minutes.
"Couldn't sleep in bed, so i went to get some fresh air outside on the street, then came back and saw these on the floor by the door over there ...do you mind explaining about these photos Alex cause i'm completely stumped by what they mean?"
She looked down at them on the coffee table, they were of her and Rupesh being intimate, arm wrapped round his lower waist and kissing .
"Gene I've never seen these before.. I haven't even met this man"
"I thought we said there would be no lies and secrets at all in our relationship… now please I want you to tell me the whole truth, make me feel i can trust you 100% "
"Gene honestly I am telling you the truth… please believe me"
"You're really hurting my feelings now and i just dunno whether to believer yer" His feelings had changed very much, deep down he knew that he couldn't live without Alex and the love he felt would always be there but now this what was on the 3 photos was instant shock which was hard to understand.
He just didn't know, a part of him thought that she was making him feel like a complete idiot for wanting to believe her. He decided to stand up from the sofa, not attempting to make to any eye contact with her as his eyes looked down to the floor, quickly making an excuse as he went to collect his clothes from the bedroom.
"I've got to go in to work early might be some files waiting on my desk... I'll see you there"
She followed him standing in the bedroom entrance pleading to Gene not to leave, arms folded as she stood there.
"Please Gene let me prove it to you, Ray said he knows a lot about photos whether they are real or fake ones, take the pictures to him, he'll tell you"
"Alex let me, passed NOW before i get angry!!" as he felt himself slowly getting impatient at her continuing protests, in the end she obligied as he brushed past her to collect his clothes from the floor and started getting dressed. While she stood outside the bedroom door as silence continued between both of them, no words spoken.
Gene ,who was now fully dressed, remained in silence , making his way towards the front door of the flat only managing a silent "see you later" as he exited, closing the door and rushing downstairs heading towards the Quattro that was parked in the street by Luigi's restaurant.
She sank down resting on the settee, feeling her emotions starting to boil over, with her feeling like she just wanted to curl up and cry so many tears forever . However a moment later she was interrupted by the telephone ringing out loudly, leaning over the arm of the settee to pick it up in her hand.…
"Hello.."
"I'm sorry for delivering those pictures but it had to be done to show you can trust me more than your boyfriend"
"You Bastard"
"Now, now no need for that bad language, we can't be saying that, when i'm the only person here, that can help you in your hour of need"
She felt so scared at the fear of possiibly not being able to hold on to Gene's trust and belief. Holding on to the phone receiver in her hand as Rupesh tried to gain the upper hand, trying to convince her of the trust he was offering.
"I know about your situation Alex...being here when you desperately crave to be back with the people you love so far in the future" This man seemed to know everything or maybe too much, was this about to be a passage, a ticket out of 1983 for her?
"I know.. but i can't leave Gene.. i desperately tried not to fall in love with him but he is a part of my life here... If i leave it'll break my heart and his and i can't hold my responsible for that for the rest of my life"
" You're forgetting someone else you love.... Molly what will she do without you if you choose not to go back?"
"How do you know about my daughter?", How exactly did he know who Molly is, was he himself another person stuck in time just like she was or someone who is only out to blackmail?
"Believe me i know quite a lot"
"Meet me at the Western Gun Pub at 8pm tonight and you'll find out what i can offer" he finished the conversation by putting the phone down. Alex put the phone back in the holder as she went to look for the photos that had disappeared she realised that Gene must have taken them into work with him.
Ray who was running late had arrived for work quickly rushing up the steps of the police station, noticing the Guv hiding in the corner smoking nervously, like a chimney.
"Morning Guv.... jesus what's up with you, you've got a right face on yer?" as he spotted the sad reflection on his face.
"Erm...Raymondo can you do me a favour..? reaching to get the crumbled up photos out of his jacket pocket, hands shaking nervous, slightly as he puffed on his cigarette.
He looked down at them, not realising at first who was on the photos and looked up back at the Guv, wondering why he'd handed them to him, "oh by the way Chris said that you and Drake are an item, how long's that been going on?" asking with questioning look.
"Not too long but i dunno about that now, she's just too complex to be with, especially in a relationship, as we always argue most of the time , but i'm not sure if my relationship with her can work at all anymore " he sighed looking too stressed.
"Don't say that, me, Chris and Shaz look up to the both of yer, you two are like mum and dad to the three of us in a way, the main piece that keeps us all together" Gene looked back at the photos, causing the DS to look as well.
Looking again managing to notice the familar face in the pictures , "Bloody hell is that DI Drake and ... who's that its not that Rupesh is it?" eye raised in either wonder or suspicion.
"Would you please keep your bloody trap shut for just this once Carling... i want ya study these photos she said you were very good at that.. whether their fake or real"
"Ok I'll See you in a bit then" Ray said as he walked in through the entrance putting the photos in the pocket. Gene was worried that Ray would display them on the office walls.
He stood for a few more minutes staring in to deep space, wondering whether it was the right decision or the bad decision to be romantically involved with his DI. He loved Alex deeply but at the same time felt wounded and hurt by what he saw in those pictures. Gene finally entered into the station walking down the corridor eventually reaching the main office.
"Right you lot..big day today..Ray, Chris get going to Finnegan's London home address, while i in the meantime will arrest our suspect for Ricky's murder"
Ray grabbed his brown leather coat from his chair and Chris followed on behind as they both exited through the double doors.
Gene looked to see if Alex was anywhere in the office, she wasn't, "Shit bet she hates me for hurting her feelings this morning" walking back into his office as he sat down on the chair, sitting there with sad thoughts on his mind replaying what was said in the argument with his girlfriend a couple of hours earlier . Everything feeling like it was going in slow motion as he looked up watching other fellow detectives going in and out of the office for about an hour, getting on with their work.
At around 1pm Alex finally arrived for work, over 3 hours later, as she was about to sit down , she looked towards Gene's office which was currently empty. Feeling a soft tap on her shoulder which made her jump with fright, Shaz had wanted to ask her what Chris mentioned the other night, if Gene and her would like to come on a double date.
"Sorry DI Drake did i scare you then"
"No i'm fine" she smiled but hiding her many worries that were currently on her mind.
"You don't look too good.. DCI Hunt told me to let you know that he'll be going to arrest Ryan Carlton outside the indoor markets at around 3pm"
Alex quickly realised that if Gene went on his own he would be putting himself and well being in big danger after the recent scare in Cardiff. She stood standing still and then wandered out of the main office, wanting to try and find him within the station wherever he might have been .
The Quattro arrived at the East Side Indoor Markets at around 2.50pm that afternoon where it was freezing cold. Gene climbed out looking around to notice that it was extremely quiet near by. He entered inside, going it alone without his DI by his side for the first time in a while. Spotting the suspect straight away as he stopped to stare at him face to face a chase ensued as he chased after him to near the river embankment ,
"Stay away I'll jump, i mean it" Ryan looked down at the long drop into the River Thames standing on the edgw.
"Well go one then bloody jump yer murdering scumbag" the DCI shouted back at him.
As he then managed to stop him by eventually lunging for the young man and punching him in the face over and over again taking his anger and frustration out on the frightened young man. Gene managed to pull himself away a few seconds later realising he might have gone a bit too far and felt out of breath as he cuffed Ryan Carlton.
"Ryan Carlton... i'm arresting you for the murder of Ricky Stevens, the attempted murder of Robert Carlton, if you do say anything it'll be written down with chalk which will then be shoved down yer throat until yer making a bloody confession.. got it"
Alex and Shaz arrived a short time later to see Gene leading a battered Ryan Carlton to the Quattro and putting him into the back seat.
"What the hell have you done.. you shouldn't have come to arrest him on your own, you'll give yourself another health scare if you're not careful" as she hoped to finally get an answer from him but he ignored her as he told Shaz that he would see her back at the station. The red car drove off in a hurry.
"He's a right pig for ignoring you like that DI Drake" Shaz had noticed the tension and rift between the DCI and DI.
"I know Shaz.. he's acting like i'm invisible to him most of the time" she sighed sadly in thought as she and Shaz got back into the police car, which drove off a few seconds later down the busy main street.
As Ray and Chris survellianced Finnegan's London house to see if there were any suspicious activites , they noticed a few women going in and out of the small terraced house. "Blimey almighty.. must be a popluar guy with all them women entering in and then coming back a while later".
"Ray were not here to be talking about women for christ sake... Guv said to keep an eye on anything that could be suspicious any of his former criminal friends arriving" Chris noticed someone with a ponytail, talking loudly and laughing on the phone outside the house.
He used the binoculars trying to see who it was as the person turned round, it was Rupesh Malenga the very same person who they found out that was stalking DI Drake. "Hang on is that him?" Chris was convinced.
The DS got out the crumbled up photos from his jacket pocket taking a close look at the Indian man's facial features. Looking up at the man who was standing across the road from where their car was currently parked.
"The Guv was wrong about these photos they're definitely fakes better let him know now" he phoned but only got through to Shaz on the police radio car.
"Shaz its Ray can you let the Guv know about these photos he asked me to look at.. tell him they are defintely fake ones"
Alex grabbed the radio phone "Ray, its Alex i'll let him know" He wasn't sure as he suspected the Guv would not believe a word she was going to tell him. Now he had big mystery to ponder was Rupesh and Jack connected to this robbery, him and Chris couldn't leave as Gene had instructed them to remain there until he said so.
As Ryan had waited for the DCI to enter the interview room, he knew the game was up but was determined to fight against the male detective. Gene enetered a couple of seconds later, having receiving a telling off from an infuriated Superintendent, who was not pleased at all that his Detective Chief Inspector had attacked a suspect in cold daylight.
"Right i want to ask you a few....." he was interrupted as Alex came into the room, wanting a word.
"What the bloody hell is it now... can't yer see i'm busy " he snarled,
" should i tell him or Shaz do you wanna tell him?"
The young WPC looked at the DCI nervously before telling him that "Erm..Ray told me to tell you that he looked at those photos and he said they are definitely not real, he's very much positive about it"
Shaz and Alex both waited to see what he would say as he took in what he'd just been told.
"Thanks for letting me know", managing a brief smile, which looked very much like a positive sign from him towards Alex.
They both went back in the interview room together, things were still quiet between them but at least they were acknowledging each other's smiles.
"Where were we then" he started again looking at Ryan who eyes were looking down at the floor.
"Can you please look up, when yer being spoken to "
Ryan done what he was told, remaining still in his chair look arounf at the pale dark walls.
"Why did yer kill Ricky was it jealously that he was dating yer sister?"
He coughed before answering the question, "I did it because I hated his guts,dad didn't like him either said she should have gone out with Robbie Walker, the local footballer, but no one did anything to tell Ricky to stay away so i did but it got out of hand when hit him in the head with the brick " displaying his arrogrance and panic in his answer.
"You know I've seen a lot of young cocky kids like you Ryan.. running round the streets branding knives and guns killing innocent people... trust me its not a pretty sight" Alex saidd remembering the 2008 she'd always known.
"Right thank you for that little insight DI Bolly Keks....anyway Ryan why did yer try to attempt to kill yer dad..scared he was gonna blab to the police did yer?" Gene looked his usual self, arms folded and having paused in annoyance at her talk of the future.
He tilted back in his chair before answering the second question that was put to him by the detectives, "Dad's an idiot always has been, said he couldn't lie for me anymore.. was gonna call you lot so i had to do it but one of the nurses distracted me so i ran off"
"Your family is gonna be hurt when they find all this out"
"So" he didn't look too bothered in caring.
"Right were charging you for the murder of Ricky Stevens, as you've basically admitted to both me and my DI.. my Sergeant her ewill lead you to the cells" Viv took him from the room.
Gene could tell that Ryan looked guilty in the young man's facial expressions , seeing it the eyes of the prime suspect.
"Blimey that was a quick interview" Alex said, as she followed Gene down the long corridor, back to the main office.
"Listen i'm sorry about earlier Bolly i overreacted can you forgive me?" as he looked deep in to her eyes waiting for the acceptance to his apology.
"Gene Hunt you can be right moody angry cop sometimes.. but deep down i know you have a heart of gold soemwhere locked inside of you"
She leaned up to kiss him on the side of the cheek, giving her answer.
"So i guess that's a yes then" Gene looking a bit confused with pouted lips.
"Yes it" she smiled.
As the sun dropped across London that evening, Ray and Chris were about to give up but then spotted a white van appearing from around the corner driving past them.
From out of nowhere they were being shot at, as Chris screamed looking scared as they both ducked in hiding.
"Will you shut up cause i'm trying to drive the car away here yer daft poof " Ray moaned as the glass shattered from the back of the car. He managed to get the car away in the nick of time.
Finnegan ran outside to see the glass laid across the road. "Rupesh, looks like the robbery is off you might as well go ahead with your plan instead" as he threw the walkie talkie on the floor in anger.
Ray then phoned in to the office as he was put on the speakers of Alex's phone .
"Guv we've just been bloody shot at outside of Finnegan's house.. looks like we've managed to put a stop to the robbery from happening but there's another thing we saw Rupesh hanging around outside of the house"
"Must have been connected to the robbery the bastard" Gene immediately thought, was this Rupesh's plan the involvement with the former criminal and the attempted blackmail?
He was determined not to be beaten at the attempted mind games being played on him and Alex. "Everything's gonna be ok i promise you Bolls" pulling her for a reassuring hug.
"Gene he phoned me this morning said to meet him tonight alone at the Western Gun Pub at 8pm, i don't know what to do...i hate all of this..just wish he would leave you and me alone" She felt so scared and panicked although Gene and the team were standing by side by side with her all the way.
"You're not going on yer own. Don't want ya getting hurt in case something bad happens. .So I'll keep survelliance of when he eventually does arrives at the pub" making the ultimate promise, he felt it was his duty to protect and care for her more deeply then he would ever possibly have known.
"Gene do you remember those words i told you a while ago "I thought I'd Lost you, i still mean them now, don't wanna be parted from you just wanna stay here forever"
"I know remember me and you Bolls we're bloody unbreakable no one can mess wiv us " putting his hand on her waist pulling into the warmth of his chest as they held on to each other very close in his office. As the team got on with the rest of their work duties.
Much later as the working day came to a close, both Alex and Gene had prepared themselves for the showdown wirh Rupesh Malenga aiming to find out what his reasons were for trying to turn Alex against the DCI, the very man she was in love with.
She popped her head around the corner of Gene's office door.
"You Ready"
He looked at her answered her question with such determination "Oh I'm ready alright" clenching his leather covered gloved fists together"
Please R & R
Hope it was an ok chapter, it will be at least a wek before i post the next chapter which will be a tearjerker one but not too sad as i'll be adding the former A2A/LOM character who came top in the poll in Chapter 12 or 13.