Playing With Trouble

Chapter 8

I'm made this latest chapter more about Gerry this time, I've added a potential love interest for him, the occasional Gerry and Sandra banter/arguing over answer phone. Further things are discovered over Kenny.

An infuriated Sandra argumentatively bickered back and forth with an impatient Strickland as he pressurized her to a result in this reinvestigation case. He sensitively recognized that the well respected UCOS department were perceptively losing their touch in closing cases and considered the possibility of closing this department down, knowing all too well Sandra and a panicked Brian most of all would absolutely protest against it.

"Sandra I do comprehensibly find myself sealing one agreement that you've uncovered vital evidence in the Vinny Baxter murder case however I'm sorry as I do have to dismissively state if there's not a result by Wednesday, I'm handing this case over to another department, you can't be focused on one case that might not actually be going anywhere, as I seriously state there's plenty of others to be solved and I believe UCOS is the best department to do this"

"But Sir… Gerry discovered the other day that Kenny Andrews attends a gym on Wednesday morning, hopefully we can bring him for questioning , question him as much as possible and hopefully find a conclusion to this please reconsider in giving us an extra day" even though she obtained her utter decisiveness, in her current battle of wills against Strickland nevertheless Sandra wasn't someone for disobeying or pleading to another person for additional time on effectively figuring out a resolution on an opened up reinvestigation, this obviously meant making him reexamining his chanceful words.

Brian remarkably signaled his arrival over an hour earlier than anticipated that very morning just managing to arrive before a hung-over yawning Gerry, lifting his bike up the bottom of the steep staircase.

"Morning Gerry, you look dreadful, not still gloomy and discontented about your falling out with Sandra the other evening, I'm sure she never meant what she said, you two are continuously at each other's throats" Brian tried to enlighten Gerry's downward mood, nudging his hand slightly against his friend's wrist.

"Thanks Brian, heard anything from Thomas? is he forwardly willing to undertake our potential undercover operation…" Gerry furrowed an eyebrow alertness within both ears as they burnt hotly worryingly, words were being exchanged about himself.

"Uhm Not quite I was assuming you wouldn't mind accepting this, I phoned Sandra last night and she gave her approval to my suggestion as well, sorry mate, she suggested you work in the café in the gym as we need to identify Kenny's vague personality …this afternoon… I'll be there as back up Sandra insisted carefully incase you may bugger it up" He nervously backed away, clutching his bike helmet.

"Oh charming, I'll be the stand-out outsider amongst all the body builders, I can't be lifting weights and polishing tables, although I only clean my flat, I've never done a genuine spring clean for anyone else in my life " Gerry rolled his eyes, unenthusiastic at the thought of wearing a tight t-shirt and tight shorts work clothes that adequately met the requirements of staff clothes standards.

"Gerry less of the negative gibberish and leave your subconscious more absorbed on your task in hand…in reality you may end up chatting and gathering information we require on Kenny.. Its what we want you to do" Brian addressed him,

"Oh Looks like my day's about to pick up" a changeable Gerry muttered impressively, his mood varying every couple of minutes, not deliberately appearing to be conversationally aware that morning as he particularly swiftly rushed ahead of an oncoming crowd of numerous detectives, kind-heartedly aiding Brian with his bicycle, maybe today might allusively turn out rosy and unexpected.

. Xxxx

Sandra watchfully eyed her team activities and incoming movements through the glass window from her office, modestly both eyes were drawn bafflingly towards Gerry and his excruciating musically whistling.

"Gerry you're not there to come over all flirtatious with a younger female worker.. I don't presume Sandra will be pleased if she discovered.. Don't forget we urgently need to capture Vinny's killer red-handed he can't escape arrest" Jack's advisable words of encouragement boosted his colleague's high spirits onwards, conceivably in emergency if their undercover operation was blown, Gerry prepared to take down this individual even without listening to Sandra.

"Don't you worry Jack, I don't purposely expect to, I learnt a lesson or two in acknowledging that my love life comes second to my job" Gerry surprising confession amused Brian, upon glancing up, necessarily understanding decisively of no urgent need of pushing him further to ask what the reason was.

"This Kenny Andrews, do we actually know what precise time he fussily attends fitness training and be fully assured that he hasn't smartly switched his membership to another gym, resourcefully London's one big population to frantically search for a man who committed an unsolved crime over 30 years ago" Jack understandably voiced negative feelings, although he hadn't met Kenny in person , something smacked of suspicious circumstances, hints of collaborations with another one of their suspects.

"Well if I'm not mistaking, According to the opening times of Skelton's gym that's the one Andrews attends, it opens at 8am closes at 5:30pm, Gerry you'll have to work there for three days at the maximum, get to know every gym member" Without significantly knowing too much, Brian estimated his calculations.

"Trust me Brian I really don't want to be engulfed by flushed faced, sweaty members in the cafeteria" Gerry explained disapprovingly, tensely shrugging his shoulders, how they ached badly.

"You and your fears of OCD, Oi watch it you'll be turning into Brian the second next" Jack lightly chuckled, enjoying witnessing the problematic discomfort on Gerry's face.

xxxx

At Skelton's gym that very Monday afternoon, Gerry carrying a lightest blue bag stepped inside nervously, observing the daily busy comings and goings, younger physically built individuals occupying the cafeteria, swimming pool, indoor tennis courts and indoor squash courts.

"Hi my name's Gerry Standing, I'm here for three days to help out in the café" He spoke clearly to a younger receptionist, watchfully keeping an instantaneous closer eye on a possible sighting of Kenny, maybe randomly choosing gym equipment two days early.

"You don't have look petrified Mr Standing, Your Detective Superintendent informed us over the phone of your investigation into a previous murder case and the involvement of one of our long serving gym members" Layla the receptionist, as a smirking Gerry notified her name tag, came across as lovely, kindhearted and sweet she appeared to look mature, conversationally chatting to him in a professional manner.

"Is his name's Kenny Andrews, all we've uncovered is he comes here every Wednesday morning, stays for an hour before heading off to his head office" Gerry persistently knew he should never be discussing potential evidence to an attractive receptionist he'd only just introduced himself to, he knew the trouble and strife he would find himself in, if she somehow revealed herself to be a double crosser yet somehow he couldn't hide the fact he felt an immediate connection with.

"I've seen him a couple of times, has a right temper on him, anyone gets in his way, he menacingly threatens to stick their heads down a toilet cubicle until they apologize…That guy ultimately gives me the creeps" She shivered briskly feeling an invisible coldness clairvoyantly overwhelming her.

"Has Kenny ever been kicked out for his inappropriate extreme behaviour?"

"No unfortunately not…why I dunno…Hope you capture him for whatever crime he committed" She whispered smiling enthusiastically, egging him on confidentially.

Gerry was greeted by Skelton's gym manager James Dayton, who appeared to be prestigious, escorted him straightaway over towards the cafeteria and to get started precisely.

xxxx

"Sandra don't be so concerned, he's going to report back to us on further information, I trust Gerry as much as the next man does, he's absolutely trustworthy… " Jack stressed kindly, the pressure wouldn't stop mounting up for them, other than having Gerry undercover, Brian had also uncovered in an addition from a retired schoolteacher that taught both Vinny and Kenny at St Josephs Kenny was in different year class than Vinny. Both pupils were caught fighting in the school playground, Kenny inaccurately spitefully taunted Vinny over his family troubles, father in prison, mother caught stealing from the sweet shop.

"Can't we just nail with this.. It proves Kenny had a motive or at least a lengthily grudge against him, seemingly never got along, something must have occurred to convince Kenny, murder was an only option to rid of Vinny once and for all. Automatically I'm not reaffirming the man motives, We need Gerry to become pally with him" Brian knew it'd be a difficult uphill challenge.

"Huh No chance Brian, we should never aimlessly endanger Gerry's life, he's in there for a reason to determine anything untrustworthily roughly about our one number suspect" Sandra secretly reassured herself, a closer colleague fretfully she feared for Gerry's safety no matter what.

" I hope for gods sake I hope he doesn't get injured if Andrews realizes who he is…that a dangerous risk I cannot face up to… we'll have an irate Strickland on our backs for days on end..you do know he's thinking of closing our department down depending on successful we are in solving this reinvestigation case " Sandra conspicuously rediscovered some unburied emotions she just could get rid of, they're weren't romantic feelings of sorts but more of burgeoning desperation to prove her determination and overall willpower to demonstrate to Strickland that UCOS department was more than capable and knowledgeable in getting results.

"Didn't think you'd be this distressed and apprehensive for Gerry's health and safety" Jack and Brian simultaneously requested the same question.

"I know, maybe it was misjudged blunder putting him in there, we don't know what or how badly Andrews might be"

They all jumped frightfully when the sound of the office telephone rang out blaringly, Brian hastily answered it

"Gerry how are yer? Doing alright so far" Sandra shrewdly jabbed her index finger on the desk so he could be placed at full volume on answer phone, Brian followed her solemn demand.

" So what have you uncovered so far? anything intriguingly, strange or either bad tempered" Sandra hoped something interesting could come to the surface.

"One of the receptionists happened to mention, his persona comes across as potentially intimidating and menacing, Well one thing I can be assured of, no one can get on the wrong side of him, allows his fists to do the talking, doesn't take too sympathetically to an underdog outclassing him at anything he wants gratefully to achieve " Gerry sighed, breathing heavily on the other side of the phone, his voice brimmed full of monotony and gloom.

"So lets say his temper controls his emotions, maybe on the day of the murder when he faced off against Vinny Baxter for one last showdown, depression wriggled its ugly head and he set out to unleash his pent up rage…Gerry you be careful there"

"Bloody hell Sandra you're acting like a strenuously, aggravating wife, I'm fine alright, don't need to keep tabs on me" Brian and Jack attempted to keep their evident laughter distinctively discreet. "What did you find out Brian?" Gerry requested in being informed of.

"I got off the phone from an former schoolteacher who taught them both at St Josephs, told me Kenny use to bully Vinny…apparently everytime Thomas couldn't make it in to school due to illness. A fight between was broken up in the playground, Vinny suffered cuts and bruises to his left cheek and leg.. It sounded dreadful what he did picking on someone defenseless " It was all Brian could add to write down as evidence, it felt as if resourcefully unraveling the case was like portraying lyrics from Europe's The Final Countdown, a song Brian found to be annoying and Gerry mimed, air-guitaring along to a leaving do party.

Gene was cut off from carrying on his important phone conversation, overpowering fear set in.

xxxx

James with his arms folded stood over Gerry, grabbing his mobile phone off him without asking.

"Oi that's my phone, be careful its expensive… This isn't bloody school yer know..yer not a schoolteacher about to cane a rude school pupil" Gerry berated, losing patience of having to put up with James' stronger thoughtful, insightful and hasty tactics.

"Might I remind you of our policies, all phone conversations to family or friends are to be made after working hours, if I catch you again making phone calls I might as well feed you to this Andrews bloke" James' attitude turned sinisterly darker, uncaring of what consequences it might entitle.

"Are you threatening me?.. Because I wouldn't stand for it. I'm most unquestionably am not the type of man who'd predominantly allow a small obnoxious kid walk over me" Gerry stood his ground, biting back, fighting his corner expertly, Sandra's decision to send him undercover was becoming one enormous massive mistake, he'd started the undercover job not in favor of his wishes.

"Why would I even limitlessly dare to waste any my valuable time on someone I've just met today.. All you do is want to snoop around like Columbo, monitoring gym members who'll complain about you within a day..trust me mate…I've dealt with this for 10 years. Insults and complaints the whole shebang… Kenny Andrews the thug you're after he smashed my car two years ago..I know it was him but unfortunately wasn't able to find any CCTV or encourage witnesses to speak out…think he placed a fear in their eyes..would explain why they formed a wall of silence"

Around 6pm, Nighttime overfilled across the sky of Central London, as Gerry left early on a bitterly cold night, accompanying Layla to her car.

"So are you off then, off home? I was going to invite you for a drink,,just around the corner from here… Dunno if you may be up for it..what do yer say?" It was a tempting offer not to primarily reject, Layla was a like a lost soul, searching for love and learning to be precautionary aware of not walking alone at nighttime when danger lurked all four individual corners.

"Can't I'm afraid..My Detective Superintendent would go ape if she found out I was taking this seriously" He hated truly himself for saying no, blowing any chance of getting to knowing more about the appealing attractive Layla, tightening his eyes in horror, burying his fingers grippingly and his appearance looking hilariously embarrassing. He simply couldn't mix professionalism and his personal life together, frustratingly both subjects had to be separated altogether.

"Oh that's a shame, some of the male jerks I work alongside are already involved in relationships even married. Just I'm the only single person, no boyfriend for 10 years, not dating, not even been generously offered one single date , I get the impression I've lived the single life far too long than I would care to think " Layla single mindedly hoped she couldn't scare away men again, for her, despite Gerry being 15 years older than her, she'd felt fascinated by his gorgeous penetrating eyes, wistfully studying his complexion.

"You trying to entice me sweetheart…" Gerry breathlessly chuckled, as a hesitating romantic atmosphere overwhelmed them which felt like it advantageously lasted nearly perminantely, both stood shyly motionless in making a move, she broke away before it suddenly became intense and intimate.

"Erm No.. Of course I would never stubbornly resort to doing that" she timidly implied, hair flickering lengthways wildly before she climbed comfortably into the driver seat of her leather seated Audi car, as it drove away she waved goodnight to him a hand waving three times.

He half smiled pursuing his lips intensively, harshly shaking his head inconsiderately at why a few seconds earlier he'd lead her to believe Sandra might be someone he loved more, he pivoted to beep his car which he'd parked nearer the car park entrance, his half day working in Skelton's most certainly had been eventful.

xxxx

"I dunno I'm guessing Gerry must have been told off for making a phone call when he was supposed to be concentrating on serving energy drinks, sandwiches and toast to customers…Bet he's a right arrogant misery guts this James, the manager of Skelton's" Brian burped whilst sipping on his hot cup of coffee, preparing to leave, cautiously bearing in mind of preoccupying thoughts.

"Right, I'm off home have some housework to complete, Want to a early night's sleep ready for tomorrow, hopefully we can catch Kenny soon enough and get justice for Thomas and his family" Sandra revealed wearily, rubbing a hand over her aching sore shoulder, work was a tremendous significant part of her career but it did bring it's fierce battles to the courts occasionally, .

End of chapter

One more chapter and an interlude to come, I'll be adding them within the next three weeks, Next chapter comes to a conclusion and will be longer to read as well.