"Come on" yelled Alec in frustration as he argued with the Superintendent about re-opening the Latimer case.

He and Ellie had stormed to the police headquarters and thoroughly discussed their new suspicions regarding the evidence they were sure they had discovered on the beach that morning. Surely the symbolism of the cigarette butts being left held a vital clue. It was odd and suspicious, especially after Susan Wright had fled town. The Superintendent was having none of it though, she didn't believe that there was anything more in the case, a killer had confessed and for her that was evidence enough and justice for the family.

She flatly refused, even when Alec tried to reason with her about the importance of their discovery but her mind was made up. Firmly she folded her arms and rose from her desk to enforce her authority as she made it clear it was a definite no. Crossing her arms she glared at her two Detectives.

"The case is closed, that decision is final" she stated. "You Detective Hardy are dismissed and Detective Miller you have handed in your resignation so I will hear no more of this. Escort yourselves from the premises before I have security do it"

Chief Superintendent Sandra Jackson was angry and it was apparent to Ellie that they had touched a nerve. She knew her boss well enough to know when to quit unlike stubborn Detective Hardy. He was about to open his mouth and continue to argue his case when Ellie butted in. There was no winning Sandra over and it wasn't worth his while trying. They were fighting a losing battle here and only she could see it. Alec was still trying to protest when Ellie stood up and finally thanked Sandra for her time.

Horrified Alec looked round at her, surely if there was a way to prove her husband wasn't solely responsible surely she wanted to push for that. None of it made any sense, why was she acting so calmly when they had made a new discovery. But Ellie had a plan up her sleeve, she too wanted more than anything to clear her husbands name and clear her own if she could. If the police refused to help they would have to go it alone. Leaving Sandra's office quietly she hoped Alec would follow her but he didn't.

"I'm going to ask you nicely again Alec to leave, please don't make me have to call security to come and escort you" she stressed.

Alec growled, unimpressed by her not taking their claims seriously but reluctantly got up and left, making sure he slammed her office door behind him to make his dissatisfaction clear. Agitated and annoyed he joined his former colleague in the corridor. He was outraged, if he hadn't got all the facts and something more was underlying in this case he hadn't done his job properly and until he knew he felt like a failure. Glaring at Ellie he was desperate to know why she hadn't tried harder to convince Sandra back there.

"What happened in there?" he snapped. "Why didn't you offer more"

"Calm down" demanded Ellie as she started to make her exit. "Come on, we don't have all day" she snapped at him aware that security were watching their every move as they made their way out of the door.

"So why didn't you back me up in there Miller?" he demanded, grabbing Ellie's arm to stop her from marching away the second they were outside.

"Because...I know Sandra and she wasn't going to reopen a closed case like that with no concrete evidence" she explained firmly. "I have a plan though" she tacked on excitedly.

Hardy was intrigued, this could be interesting. Miller having a plan slightly amused him but in all seriousness he wanted to know what it was. Furrowing his brow he looked at her and waited for her to elaborate but Ellie wasn't about to in front of the police station where they might be overheard. There was an awkward silence between them before Hardy finally spoke.

"Well then Miller, what is it?" he asked.

"Not here" she screeched frowning, that would just have been careless and irresponsible of her. She invited him back to the hotel she would explain over a nice coffee.

It was heading on for lunch as they arrived back and headed into Hardy's room. He poured her a coffee and handed it to her before perching on the end of the bed. "So Miller, what's this plan of yours then?" he quizzed.

"Well.." Ellie began before pausing, sipping her coffee and starting up again. "It's not so much of a plan, more so an idea" she explained. "What if me and you do some digging of our own, just keep it off of the police's radar"

It was ludicrous, in a little town like this that was impossible not to mention a crime if they were found out. "No Way" he yelled loudly frightening Ellie. "Stupidity at it's best" he declared.

He couldn't believe she was suggesting it, what on earth was she thinking it would achieve. The task would be impossible, they had no access to resources or previous files to investigate any suspicions further. No reference materials to call back on, nothing but he suddenly thought maybe they could, with a little bit of work and hard effort they could try at least.

"We could try though" he added hopefully. "People round here might not suspect us if we just carry on as before. Make out all has been approved by head quarters" Swilling the idea around in his head he started to think it through more clearly. It wasn't such a bad idea if they played their cards right. All they needed to uncover was something concrete enough for the police to be interested in the case again. Grinning at Ellie in an out of character fashion he offered out his hand to her to shake on the deal.

"Lets do it" he exclaimed shaking Ellie's hand vigorously.

She was pleased he was eager to do this, after his initial reaction she had feared he would leave right then and not want to jeopardise any future in his career. Their Former Detectives Club was in business and first stop would be Susan Wright, after she'd finished her coffee of course.