Defeating the Enemies : Chapter 13 - Recovery
More light relief in this chapter, i wanted to show how Ray feels about Alex, her being more like a friend than a colleague. More of Gene and Annie's conversation as they remember Sam. Also this and the next chapter(14) will involve Ray more as well, he gets lucky with a certain DI Foster but are her intentions truthful or not?
Thanks for all of the reviews so far..
Ray who had always dreaded visiting hospitals for most of his life since the age of 10 after he had fallen off his bicycle, had remained in the St Joseph's hospital for 2 nights to see if there had been any improvement on Alex's condition which there hadn't been, not yet. He kept replaying those frightening flashbacks back in his mind to where he found her on the footpath and how she thought she might be dying right there . Now it had deeply upset him in a way he couldn't understand, maybe because she had become more like a best friend to him. He knew he wasn't jealous of her relationship with the Guv, it was more about feeling happy that Gene and Alex had finally got together after months of nervous conversations shared with each other . Now Ray was the only one left who didn't have a girlfriend however he did fancy DI Foster when they first met each other at a Christmas party but she didn't seem too interested in him, she chose to flirt more with Gene instead.
He rested his head back on the soft pillow while sitting in the waiting room in wanting to have a bit of a sleep on the chair as he hadn't managed to sleep for most of the second night on the run. He woke up after about an hour and decided to get a coffee to drink instead maybe that would make him feel less worried.
Back in Manchester the Quattro had been found by an old railway station in Kingston Road by one of Annie's colleagues, DS John Baxter, it was still in good condition, it only just had a small minor scratch on the bonnet, she wanted to be there for her old boss as he didn't seem to look in the right state of mind to be driving the car back to London she insisted on driving it herself after he'd spent the last two nights recovering from his ordeal. He himself just wanted to be by Alex's bedside for many days as possible. He briefly remembered something that one of the kidnappers had mentioned in the van, the voice sounded a lot like Finnegan's and the talk was of a female detective called DI Foster, the only DI Janet Foster, Gene knew worked in Fenchurch West police station, she had flirted with him and Ray at the previous Fenchurch Christmas party, she was a tough woman, hard as nails and a bit of a desperate flirt from what he seen. Now he was determined to stop anything worse from happening.
As they left the house they climbed into the Quattro that was parked in the pave stoned driveway. Gene began to realise that he hadn't asked how she had been adapting to life over the past three years since the last he and the guys had seen her. "Forgot to ask how yer been and are you still working as a WPC"
"Well..I'm certainly not a WPC anymore... got promoted.... also little Jack said he wants to be a copper just like his dad was"
"I bet he misses his dad, who does he support Manchester City or United?"
"He's a City fan"
"Good boy" Gene answered while smiling proudly
They both realised deep down that they still missed Sam, things had remained a little fragile between Gene and Annie before he left with Chris and Ray to go down to work in London 3 years previously. Annie also knew that Sam would have been proud of what little Jack dreamed of becoming when he grew up, wanting to encourage his son in being a respected DI like he himself was.
The conversation then turned to how Gene met Alex. "So how did you meet her then Guv?"
"The day I met Alex was when me and the others had to investigate a drugs deal that was about to go down by a guy called Edward Markham, the Quattro, my car pulled up and he was a pointing a bloody gun at her, so I kicked him in the soddin nuts and then seconds later she collapsed on the floor.. she ended up solving the case with her Psychiatry know it all rubbish"
"Hmm must have been the moment right there she fell for you "
"I dunno about that... but she then started coming out with all this stuff about Sam, things he said about me"
This stopped Annie from asking the next question, as she wondered how Alex might have known Sam. "She knew Sam?"
"Yes from what she said, I know it sounded a bit crazy the things she mentioned for some strange reason I can't help but believe her"
"Sam mentioned a few times about someone he knew a long time ago called Alex Drake, a Psychologist.. said he never got to meet her" Annie remembered
They were both puzzled, Annie had never been quite sure about whether to believe any of the things Sam had always mentioned after they both met 10 years ago, she would always assume that he must have just had a bad knock on the head most of the time. The last time she saw him he said something about keeping in touch with Gene over the next few years, almost predicting something that was about to happen. Did he know that he was about to die or maybe might have had the strongest of feelings that something bad was going to happen?
She also told him that Jack was being looked after by her dad and that she wouldn't be able to stay long in London.
Back at the hospital, Ray was getting a coffee from the coffee machine. He went to take an immediate sip from it, which then burnt his upper lip which stung painfully; it was still too hot to drink.
As he was making his way back to the hospital ward where Alex was in, he was approached by Chris and Shaz by the waiting room.
"How's she doing today... any news?"
"Still not too good I'm afraid"
"Any news on the Guv's whereabouts?"
"Yep Viv phoned up us at home to mention that he got a phone call from the Guv late yesterday afternoon to say he was fine, ended up in Manchester and that Annie is coming down with him to here this morning as she's worried and concerned about his state of mind"
It had been nearly three years since Ray and Chris had last seen her back in Manchester, she had chosen not to see them off as she was still feeling upset that they were leaving for London and that it was too soon after Sam had died in the accident. Starting their new lives in London had been quite a struggle for the three detectives, mainly for Gene and Ray but for Chris on his first day when he met Shaz he was desperate to ask her out on a date, all the opportunities had came to nothing as nerves ended up getting the better of him. He couldn't understand but he then remembered the advice Sam had given him on how to act sensible and romantic when being around women in the workplace, that advice had eventually worked as Shaz agreed to go on a date with him. Then soon afterwards they realised they were falling hopelessly in love with each other.
They walked with Ray to the ward where they then saw the French doctor leaving and approaching them with news of the latest update on her condition. Both Chris and Ray feared the worse was about to be confirmed, Shaz went up to the window of the ward looking in.
"I have good news your friend's condition has now improved.. She still may be feeling in slight pain... she also asked for Gene her boyfriend" the doctor looked and asked if he was anywhere in the hospital, "He's not here yet might be in another 30 - 45 minutes depending on traffic" Ray explained.
The doctor then left them as he made his way down the long corridor.
They all entered the ward, Alex smiled as she seen them approaching her bed, she was still wired up, mainly in both of her arms.
"How you feeling DI Drake.. Ray's been really emotional.. been here in the hospital 2 nights waiting"
"Glad to see you're feeling a lot better mam" Chris looked more happy to see that the DI was feeling fine.
"Erm Ray.. why's your upper lip burnt" she pointed out with her finger to where the mark was on his lip. He tried to turn his head away as he looked embarrassed hoping they wouldn't make fun but they did..
"Oh Ray stop acting like a big baby" Shaz and Chris both laughed at him.
"Burnt it on my coffee from the soddin coffee machine" he moaned pulling a moody face, they waited with her for another half an hour, waiting for the guv and Annie to arrive.
At around 10:30 am the Quattro had finally arrived in the hospital car park, Gene rushed out of the passenger seat and started running towards the hospital as he was desperate to see her, he'd been thinking of Alex on the trip from Manchester. Annie followed on, looking round to see that things looked different here in London than they did back up north.
"Hi I'm here to see Alex Drake dunno what ward she's on" the receptionist checked on the computer and then pointed right as he went in that direction. "Guv slow down I can't keep up with yer.. She sure must mean the whole world to yer"
"Guv's here" Chris heard the clatter of heavy boots running down the ward corridors.
He finally managed to reach the ward, entering, looking over at her, she was now sitting up in bed, arms reaching out to hug him as he went to sit on the side of her bed , they embraced in a very long emotional hug.
"Annie good to see yer again how you've been"
"Good to see you again Chris, Ray since the last time you seen me I've been promoted to DC like you Chris "
"Wow....Also Annie I wanna introduce you to my fiancée Shaz"
the women both shook hands and smiled.
"Have you got any further news on the guy Gene suspects that kidnapped him" Annie asked
"Nope not yet.... the guy that stabbed DI Drake we can't find him either"
"So do you think they were in on it together then to split up Gene and Alex"
"We think so, the bloody bastards"
Viv's voice came on Ray's radio, which he answered
"What is it Viv"
"I think you need to go investigate a murder or suicide here... Rupesh's body just been found by the Lakeshaw river"
"Thanks for letting me know.. I'll be right there with Chris and Shaz"
"Looks like we've gotta get to work.. great seeing you again Annie... Gene, Rupesh has been found dead"
"Yeah I heard on your radio.. " He pointed out to radio that the DS held in his hand;
Alex didn't know what to say, she was shocked but remained quiet. She feared that the Indian might have taken his own life as he had looked a bit suicidal the last time she saw him as she lay injured on the floor in the park.
Chris, Shaz and Ray both left the ward on their way to Lakeshaw River to examine the crime scene, leaving Gene and Annie to remain with Alex.
"Blimey you've got me worried... when Viv said about you being in hospital I panicked even cried I did.... now I'll end up handcuffing my hand to yours so that we won't be split from each other again"
"Oh Gene now you're just being a silly Gene Genie aren't ya"
"I suppose I am" his lips pouted into a full cheeky smile
Annie stood by the door and wanted to leave the lovebirds on their own but Gene decided to introduce the women for the first time.
"Alex I'd like you to meet Annie, Sam's wife"
"Nice to meet you Alex"
"Oh you're Sam's wife" she quickly realised who she was, in the present day there was only about two mentions of Annie in Sam's case file that she was handed to read.
"Are you still working within the police force" Alex was curious to know.
"Yes I am, I'm a DC just like Chris is now" she smiled
"I think I might go and get a drink from the machine" she then left the ward
Gene wanted to tell her about DI Foster's apparent involvement with Finnegan but she interrupted him before he could speak.
"Rupesh said that Finnegan and DI Foster told him to come between us, was offered loads of money"
"Finnegan the bastard yeah I heard him in the van mention her.. What we gonna do to try and expose her involvement"
"It's gonna be hard.. because I think we won't be believed" she leaned up to whisper an idea in Gene's ear to which he sounded quite impressed by.
"Blimey Bolly you're like Albert Einstein with all these ideas of yours"
"Why thank you for mentioning it" he went to place a soft tender kiss on her forehead but she then pulled him down on top of her in the bed wanting a longer kiss.
"Jesus Annie's gonna think me and you are acting more like a randy pair of loved up teenagers here" he panicked, eyebrow sweating slightly.
He leaned down to kiss her lips, as she placed her hand behind his head to strength their kiss, the flicker of his tongue ran across her bottom lip before it slowly massaged against her own tongue. For a few moments they lost themselves in each other forgetting the surroundings that they were in. He wanted to lift up her nightgown over her head.
Pulling away a few minutes later as they gasped seeing the full passion and desire still burning in each other's eyes. "Gene you'll end up getting kicked out of the hospital if any of the doctors see us having sex on my bed"
"Sod the lot of em.... I can't wait.. only wanna make love to you Bolly.. did they say how long you'll be kept in hospital for?"
"It should be up to a week not long... the doctor told me the surgery went well but I'll need to have plenty of rest before I return back to work"
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At the crime scene in which Ray was kneeling on his knees he discovered something not quite right. A piece of fabric by the edge of the grass, black coat, which looked like it might have come of Jack Finnegan's coat the one Ray seen the former criminal wearing yesterday,
"I don't think this is a suicide looks like Rupesh might have been murdered..."
"Ray do you think we should bring in Finnegan to interview"
"Looks like it... I'll put in a bloody headlock if I have to in order for him to confess"
It was now five o'clock time had flown as they had been there for quite a few hours examining the scene.
"Could do with a drink at Luigis you and Shaz coming then"
"Might as well" Shaz followed on behind them as they made their way to Ray's car climbing in as it then drove off over the pathway.
When they arrived at Luigis it was very quiet as there were not many customers in the restaurant.
Chris got the drinks from the bar and bought them over to the table Ray and Shaz were sat at. Gene had decided not to come to the restaurant as he stayed with Alex in hospital.
"It was great seeing Annie again wasn't it Ray.... erm Ray"
He was staring into deep space, maybe the pressure of work was finally getting to him. He then spotted DI Foster sitting at the bar on her own, looking bored and decided to go and join her there.
"Ray's gonna fail in chatting her up I reckon" Chris was convinced that his mate would fail in making DI Foster laugh with his chat up lines. He was proved wrong however as she placed her hand on his shoulder laughing at his jokes, there was instant chemistry on display between them.
"So where's your DCI tonight then... I wouldn't have mind having a chat with him".
"Can't come tonight chose to stay with hospital with DI Drake" she was intrigued to learn more about the popular DI that worked with DS Carling.
"So how long have you known her?"
"I dunno probably for about 2 years now, her and the Guv hit it off right away... they've always had a instant closeness between them"
"I tell you what, I fancy a piece of you right now if you're up for it" an offer that was too hot not to turn down ,holding out her hand as she lead him outside on the street and into an alleyway.
"Bloody hell can't believe it Ray's got lucky that quick" Chris was amazed that his friend had got lucky with a woman , he remained gobsmacked after seeing them leave the restaurant together hand in hand.
Ray himself couldn't believe that his flirting had actually worked and as he had DI Foster high up against the wall, her trousers and knickers had been pulled down to her ankles, he was kissing her passionately on the lips as he then entered her in one smooth move, they both gasped for breath as he stilled himself in her at first before moving slowly. "So good..harder" she demanded.
His lips moved down to her neck kissing and sucking at it, she pulled him in further to the warmth of her body wrapping her arms tighter around his lower waist to try and hold on. He couldn't believe he was making love to a woman in an alleyway something he hadn't done with any woman before. "That good" he asked as he moved down her body to kiss her stomach running his hands up to her breasts under the bright red blouse that she was wearing. "Yes" her ragged breaths filled his ears making his heart beat much faster, stopping to pause a little time later for breath.
"You're place then is it" she asked still breathing heavily.
"Too right.. come on" they both climbed in the car before he could close the door, she nodded at the person who was currently hiding in the wet dark alleyway, it was Jack Finnegan they both smiled at each other. Their Plan B was starting to begin.
Another massive thanks to HuntsGirl for beta reading this chapter
Next chapter is all about friendships and loyalties tested, More about Ray and DI Janet Foster.