Disclaimer not mine

DNA

Matt walked back into the office of MIU as Angie waved at him, the phone pressed against her ear. Sam and Ronnie were nowhere to be seen.

"What?"

"Thanks." Angie spoke to the person on the other end of the phone before hanging up. "That was Mark in forensics."

"Ohh Mark is it?" Matt teased as Angie rolled her eyes.

"Yes, Dr Mark Jones. Forensic scientist. The man that has been looking at the photo frame we sent to him. The one that hit Kate over the head." She watched as Matt suddenly looked interested.

"And?"

"And it has Kate's DNA on it, as we would expect it to." Matt nodded as Natalie walked into the office with Wes.

"What did Mark say?" Wes asked as he crossed to the younger woman. "Anything we can use?"

"Yeah." Angie nodded. "The photo frame had prints on it. Only one set was Kate's. We don't know who the other set belonged to but the blood splash found had similar DNA to the one we know was Kate's."

"So what?" Natalie folded her arms. "Someone in her family? This Beth?"

"Well, I'd bet money on it." Ronnie stated as he walked into the room. "That kid is terrified. I dunno who of but the minute I mentioned her sister she refused to talk to me. She states she isn't going to press charges."

"What?" Matt turned to face his friend. "What? She can't just let this go. She could have been killed."

"I know that, son." Ronnie sat at his desk. "I don't like it either. But like I said whoever did this has some sort of hold over her. Jake's with her. Hopefully he can make her see sense."

"It's someone in her family." Natalie looked at the floor. "I think we need to find Beth Barker and see what she has to say for herself."

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Alesha picked up her coffee cup as James walked into the office. He was clearly worked up about something and she wasn't really in the mood to humor him.

"I called the hospital." He stated as Alesha looked up.

"And?"

"She's being kept in overnight." He watched as Alesha nodded. She already knew Kate was being admitted for observation. "They've taken her for a brain scan. Jake is still there."

"Do you think something is going on with those two?" Alesha smiled as James looked genuinely surprised at the idea. "I mean they are always together. He seemed genuinely scared when we found out what happened."

"Jake? And Kate? Really?"

"What's wrong with Jake?" Alesha smiled. "On second thoughts don't answer that." James laughed as he turned back to his desk. Alesha shook her head before opening the file on her computer. She had a feeling that she and Matt weren't going to be the only office romance the CPS staff could gossip about.

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"Kate?" Jake sat on the chair next to her bed as the new girl closed her eyes. "Are you alright?" He knew the scan was booked for later that night but he was desperate to know there had been no lasting damage. The dressing on Kate's head was soaked with dried blood and she had begun to get drowsy.

"Tired." She spoke quietly as he rested a hand on hers. "You could go home."

"Nah." Jake shook his head. "There's no way George and Henry will let me work on this case. No point in rattling round an empty house."

"Nice to know I'm the alternative to being on your own." Kate smiled as she kept her eyes open. Jake shrugged his shoulders as he stared at her, amazed at how young she looked. The swelling over her eye concerned him, he was sure it had grown since he had sat down less that an hour earlier.

"Kate?"

"Whasts?"

"Are you ok?"

"I." She paused. "I hash a headsache. I." Jake nodded before pressing the nurse call button, knowing something was seriously wrong. Seconds later he was being bundled out of the room while nurses and doctors rushed round trying to stabilize his friend.

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Matt stepped out of the car as Ronnie looked up at the front door of a run down hostel. He knew the place had been used as a bail hostel in the past but was now a refuge for an assortment of people that found themselves on the street.

"Can I help?" A young man with blonde dread locks walked up to them.

"And you are?" Matt showed his ID card as the young man stepped backwards.

"Lee."

"Well, Lee." Ronnie begun. "You aren't in any bother. Just looking for someone. A girl, late twenties, early thirties. Blonde."

"Could be anyone." Lee shrugged.

"Beth." Matt stated. "Beth Barker."

"Dunno a Beth Barker. Sorry, honestly I don't. But if she's in some kind of trouble and you need to find her I'd talk to Josh Morgan. He's the social worker that tries to help out in this place." Lee shoved his hands in his pockets. Ronnie nodded.

"Yeah we need to find her." He paused. "Look, where can we find this Josh bloke?"

"In there." Lee nodded towards the door of the hostel. "Usually there this time of night. Locks up. Place has a curfew on it. You got to be in by 10 or you aren't getting in."

"Ok." Matt nodded. "Thanks." They left the young man on the corner before walking into the hostel, well aware that police wouldn't be welcomed with open arms. Ronnie paused in the doorway.

"Listen son. We are looking for Kate's sister."

"Yeah, and I still don't get why you think she would be here." Matt watched as Ronnie looked at the floor.

"I did some digging. Beth was convicted of possession with intent to supply a class B drug when she was sixteen. Spent a six month sentence in young offenders. Then she was admitted to rehab twice for heroin rehab."

"Kate's sister."

"Yeah." Ronnie sighed. "She was also convicted of assault, ABH and aggravated burglary three years ago. I think she is still on drugs and Kate knows it. I think Kate also knows what happened to her sister and is trying to protect her."

"So Beth attacked Kate. Why?"

"Money? She has a habit. Kate has a well paid , good job." Ronnie watched as Matt shook his head. "Maybe somethign from when they were kids? Dunno and if Kate won't tell us then I reckon this Beth is going to have to, inn't she?"

"Right." Matt nodded. "Let's see if your hunch is right." They walked into the hostel hoping the social worker would speak to them.

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"Mr Thorne?" The doctor walked towards Jake who had been bundled uncerimoniously out of the room.

"Yeah?" He looked up, not sure whether he was relieved or terrified at seeing the doctor.

"Kate has been taken for a scan. We should know more when she comes back." He smiled kindly. Jake nodded once. "Your partner."

"She's." Jake sighed before closing his eyes, knowing the doctor wouldn't tell him anything if he didn't think they were together.

"Does she have any family around here? Can you contact them?"

"I." Jake paused. "Is she that ill? Oh God." He looked at his feet, suddenly feeling out of his depth. "I think I have her mum's number but she lives away. Kate's not from London originally. Came here for law school and stayed." He knew he was rambling and fell quiet.

"I wont know more until her scan results are back but yes, I'd contact her parents if you possibly can." The doctor watched as Jake nodded. "I'll get the nurse to call you as soon as possible." He turned and headed back into the room where Kate was being treated. Jake watched him go, knowing he had to make the most difficult phone call of his life.

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A/N More soon.