Grudge

Gerry stared at the figure in the bed. Tubes fed into her arms, a bandage wrapped around her head as a tube protruded from her mouth causing her chest to rise and fall depending on how the machine forced her lungs to take the oxygen.

"Bloody ell. You don't do things by arf." He touched her hand, relieved that she still felt warm. "Car is a right off. Dun worry I won't make any jokes about women drivers. I've seen you. You are bloody good behind that wheel." He sighed as she lay there.

"Porters are on their way," he nodded as a young nurse spoke. "Won't be long until she's up in theatre now."

"Right." He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles. The burn from the air bag exploding plus the glass from the windscreen had battered her face. More scars to add to the collection. Still bloody gorgeous though. He thought to himself as he heard the nurse slip away.

"You can live without a spleen. Our Paula told me that." He touched her forehead, brushing a strand of blonde hair away. He heard the porters talking to the nurse. "Its time to go luv. Go on, av the op and come back to me. Yeah? Car crash ain't gonna get the better of you, eh?" He kissed her forehead. "I'll be waiting." He whispered as the porters appeared; ready to wheel her away. He blinked back tears before watching her go.

Xxxxxx

"She didn't tell anyone." Jack paused as he sat opposite Steve. "Typical Sandra."

"What's typical Sandra? When did you lot get ere?" Gerry asked as he joined them. Jack ran a hand over his face, it was clear the younger man was terrified. Everyone knew how much Sandra meant to the cockney ex vice squad copper. It seemed everyone except him and Sandra. A kiss at Christmas didn't mean much if it was only because Mistletoe was around.

"How is she?" Brian asked as Gerry shrugged.

"In theatre now. It's bad."

"Gerry." Jack sighed, looking at Steve for a moment. He knew the Scotsman and Gerry got along well. He didn't quite know what to say.

"Look, Gerry. Sandra has been stalked. Had death threats and hasn't told us." Brian winced at how direct Steve was. The Glaswegian wasn't one to mince his words.

"What?"

"Her neighbours told us she's barely been home." Jack paused. "I spoke with Strickland. There was this case about three months before UCOS was started."

"Not the dog?"

"No Gerry, not the dog. Kim James. Fifteen year old girl murdered by her boyfriend - Sandra was the arresting officer. Lad who killed her was only sixteen. A kid himself. Two lives ruined. Only his dad didn't see it like that."

"No?"

"Damien Stevens got six years. His dad - Jim Stevens thought it was too harsh. That his precious boy had been led astray by Kim and it was Sandra's fault it went to trial."

"He's waited all these years? Kid would be out by now." Gerry glared.

"Yes he would. Only three months into the sentence he died. Contracted meningitis and died. Kim's mum saw it as karma. The boy's father saw it as Sandra's fault the boy was in Young Offenders. He's been waiting, and over the last couple of months stalking Sandra."

"Why now?" Dan asked.

"The family moved back into the area. Daddy dearest finds out the woman he blames for his son going to prison was alive, well and happy. So." Brian shrugged.

"So what now?" Gerry looked at his friends. Clarky was the first one to speak.

"Now we wait for SOCO to finish with the car. We wait for Sandra to wake up and I go to see this Jim. See what he thinks he's playing at." Clarky turned; leaving the older men to wait.

Xxxxxxcc

Strickland stared at the computer screen. The emails Sandra had been receiving were vile, more so than she had mentioned. It made him feel sick - the superintendent had been keeping the details from him. The woman had been determined to keep the matter under wraps, hoping the man would just get tired and leave her alone. Now she was in theatre fighting for her life it was clear that wouldn't happen. He looked up to see Clarky and Emily walk into the UCOS office.

"Sir." Emily started.

"Any news from the hospital?"

"Not yet." Emily paused. "SOCO say Sandra's car was tampered with. The brakes were cut."

"Attempted murder."

"Looks like it." Clarky paused. "He was serious."

Xxxxxx