Heartbeat – No Time like the Present
Disclaimer: Heartbeat is not my creation and doesn't belong to me.
Characters: Mainly Jenny/Dennis and Liz/Ben
Genre: Hurt/comfort, crime, drama, romance, mystery
Time/Spoilers: Set in late season thirteen.
Summary: A man from Liverpool ends up dead in the area sparking up a series of events that might turn just as deadly for the police officers in Ashfordly. The stranger isn't as unfamiliar as it first appears and soon Dennis Merton has his hands full to try and sort out everything before it is too late.
Unfortunately things don't go according to plan and when it really matters; can Jenny be strong enough for both of them?
Beta: NuGirl – thank you so much ;)
This story isn't finished so you might need to be a little patient waiting for updates but I'll do my best. As usual, I hope you like it and I absolutely love reviews!
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Chapter One – Living on Borrowed Time
Jeremy Watson ran for all he was worth. His feet splashed through water and mud but he couldn't care less. His mind was set on one thing; survival. The only advantage he had on his follower was that he knew the area. He dared a peek over his shoulder and noted with despair that the man he'd thought he had shaken off in the woods of the Ashfordly Estate was still coming after him. And not only that; he was gaining on him. He tasted blood in his mouth from the exertion but he willed his legs to go on, his once polished shoes were now covered ankle deep in gravel mixed with mud and soaked through. He ran through the fields and away from the large estate until he got into another cluster of trees. The former local man panted heavily as he put his hands on his knees as he came to a full stop. He hadn't been standing there for very long before he heard a rustling next to him. Terrified he felt hands on his arms and wrestled out of the other man's grip but it was to no avail as his opponent was stronger than he was. Jeremy Watson managed to get free for a second only to be tackled to the ground in the next. His eyes bulged as he felt strong arms around his throat and he fought wildly to get away. He choked on the air and his movements become uncoordinated until the resistance finally died.
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Doctor Liz Merrick smiled politely at her last patient for the day as the woman walked out of her office. She let out a sigh of relief and began to rearrange the folders on her desk. She couldn't quite concentrate on her patients today and for that she blamed Ben Norton. She'd caught herself thinking about him, her mind drifting several times, during the day. She was really falling for that guy.
"Right, I'm off then," Jenny said from the other room.
The pharmacist's clear voice brought her out of her reverie.
"I hope Dennis comes home before the evening is over," she added with a slight disappointment as she appeared in the doorway.
Liz turned serious as she raised a questionable eyebrow at her friend. "You married a policeman," she reasoned. "Well, not just a policeman but a sergeant," she added with a slight tease.
The statement caused Jenny to crack a wry smile. "Don't I know it," she replied, lightening up a bit.
"Look, I'm sure he wants to see you much more but he can't just neglect or ignore his job," Liz reasoned. "You know how my working days are sometimes. I can't just take a break whenever I want to."
"I guess you're right," Jenny said softly. "It's just that it's so frustrating at times."
"Well, why don't you and I go out for a drink and you can help me find a reasonable explanation as to why I should pay Mr. Norton a late visit," Liz suggested with a twinkle in her eye.
Jenny chuckled happily, about to say something, when the phone started ringing at the reception. She walked over in two strides, wondering who might be calling after hours, a part of her hoping it would be Dennis.
"Aidensfield Practice, Jenny Merton speaking," she said.
"Jenny, it's Steve, I'm sorry to bother you but I need to speak with Liz urgently, I hope she's still there," the young police constable said.
Jenny cast a glance toward Liz's office and saw that the doctor was ready to leave. She nodded at Liz.
"She's coming now Steve. What's going on?" the pharmacist asked with mixed emotions, hoping it wouldn't involve her husband.
"We need to certify a death. Lord Ashfordly's keeper found a man at the outskirts of the Estate while doing his late round," Steve explained.
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Liz drove up the road to the Ashfordly Estate and rounded the Hall, following a dwindling dirt road further away. Lights danced over the hills and among the trees in the fading daylight as she draw near the site. She parked behind the Panda car, grabbed her medical bag and got out.
"Liz," Dennis acknowledged as he detangled himself from the shadows and walked toward her. "This way."
She took a deep breath, preparing for the sight she knew would come. It was never easy seeing a dead person. And not for the first time she wondered why she had agreed to this. After all, it was really a job for the coroner.
Dennis walked past Phil Bellamy who was talking to the keeper. The constable handed over a flashlight to his superior officer and nodded politely at the doctor before continuing the interrogation of the man in front of him.
Liz let out a soft gasp as she saw the man's blue tinted lips and colorless cheeks being illuminated by the sharp pointed light. She moved closer and knelt beside the body of a fairly young man in fancy clothing. She judged him to be around forty years old. He seemed fit and appeared to have been quite good looking. Her medically trained eye immediately recognized the signs of strangulation and she shuddered at the thought of someone being murdered in cold blood just outside the village.
"Dead by strangulation," Dennis suddenly voiced.
Liz nodded. "Yes," she let on sadly. "I cannot yet confirm the time of death but I would guess it happened not too long ago judging by the body temperature and the lack of rigidness."
"Thanks for coming out, Liz, I really appreciate it. I will have a word with the coroner about the upcoming autopsy in the morning," Dennis said and turned slightly at the sound of a car coming over.
Ben Norton swiftly jumped out of his Land Rover and walked up to them as they began to make their way back toward the road.
"Dennis, Liz," he acknowledged, his eyes lingering on Liz a bit longer than necessary before looking back at the sergeant again. "Do you know who he is?" Ben asked curiously.
"No, nothing so far. He just appeared out of nowhere. As of right now, we're at square one," Dennis answered in a neutral voice and nodded at Liz and then Ben as he walked past him, heading for the car.
Ben looked after him for a moment before walking up to stand next to Liz, squeezing her shoulder gently. "Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes, I just don't like seeing dead people, and frankly, it's a bit shocking something like this happens here," she admitted.
"You know what?" he asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I think you need a drink. Why don't you follow me home for a while," he suggested.
Liz hesitated for a moment. "I really should be going home, Ben," she answered.
"You don't have to stay long," he offered charmingly.
She gave in to him with a soft smile. "You are nothing but persistent, Ben Norton," she said dryly.
"That's why you like my company," he returned cheekily.
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Oscar Blaketon walked up to Gina, behind the counter of Aidensfield Arms, his expression tight and serious.
Gina frowned as she cast a quick sideway glance at him while filling up a pint. "What's going on Oscar? I thought I heard someone talk about a murder," she said worriedly.
The retired sergeant nodded gravely. "Apparently an unknown man has been found dead at the Ashfordly Estate," he replied.
"How awful," Gina said, shuddering slightly.
"What's with all the serious looks?" Vernon Scripps asked cheerfully as he walked up to them with David trailing behind him.
Oscar eyed him suspiciously. "What are you so happy about, Vernon?" he countered.
The man known for his various business engagements, usually bad ones, smiled cunningly. "Why don't you wait and see?" he said confidently.
"Somehow I don't like the sound of that," Gina quipped. "What can I get you two?"
"Just a pint for me, Gina and…" he trailed off looking at David who had taken off his cap and watched the barmaid with a smile. "What's gotten into you?" he asked turning slightly to look at him.
David turned serious. "I'm sorry Mr. Scripps," he said politely. "It's just that Gina reminded me of my mum. She used to say that," he added.
Vernon shook his head and then turned to look at the barmaid again. "Give him an orange juice," he added.
Oscar raised his eyes to look over David's shoulder, spotting Bernie Scripps as he made his way over.
"There you are David," Bernie said. "I've been looking all over for you. The police wants me to take care of the arrangements for our John Doe, concerning the upcoming funeral should they not find any relatives."
"Who's John Doe?" David asked confused.
Vernon rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"I bet there are many people wondering that right about now," Oscar mused.
"It's not his real name, David," Gina explained. "It's what they call people unknown."
"So, Bernie," Oscar began curiously. "No one knows who he is and what he's doing here?"
The garage owner and undertaker shook his head dejectedly. "No," he let on.
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Dennis Merton awoke to the smell of coffee as Jenny carefully balanced a tray with breakfast into their bedroom. He blinked heavy eyelids open and then closed them again as he reached up to massage his forehead, the headache from the day before still lingering.
"Good morning," Jenny greeted happily as she placed the tray at the night stand and bent forward to place a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Morning," he mumbled. "What time is it?"
"Almost nine," she replied.
"Nine?" Dennis echoed as he shoot up into a sitting position. "I should be at the station…" he began.
"You looked so tired yesterday and I didn't have the heart to wake you earlier," she said softly, her voice gentle and caring.
"Jenny," he complained lightly. "I have a murder enquiry to take care of. I need to contact DI Shiner again. Then I need to talk to Doctor Craven, who's in charge of the autopsy, and take statements," he said, his tone urgent as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and got up. "Preferably before the Chief Constable is breathing down my neck."
Jenny sighed as she sat down at the edge of his side of their double-bed which he had just vacated. She watched as he shrugged out of his pyjamas and hastened out into the nearby bathroom. She gloomily watched the tray of food and coffee left for him.
Ten minutes later Dennis emerged from the room, freshly shaven and showered. He grabbed the uniform that hung haphazardly over the chair next to his bed and quickly got dressed.
"Jenny," he said softly as he noticed she was still sitting on the bed looking troubled and disappointed. "I'm sorry. I wish the circumstances where different," he said regretfully as he quickly closed the distance between them and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"There is always something," she said icily as he straightened and turned around to face the mirror, to knot his tie. "I just feel like I'm in the way," she added.
He adjusted his standard uniform tie and belt before turning to face his wife. "I assure you; you're not in the way. I can't live without you," he assured her.
"You have a funny way of showing it," she returned.
Dennis sighed, trying hard to refrain from rolling his eyes as he moved over to sit down next to her. "Jenny, listen," he began as he put his arms around her middle, "There was a reason why I wanted to marry you. Sometimes I forget…how fortunate I am to have you," he said and broke into a grin as he looked at her. "What could you possibly see in an old man like me?" he added lightly.
Jenny couldn't help but chuckle at the boyishness suddenly displayed on his face. "I don't know. Maybe it's that Scottish charm of yours?" she said with smirk.
Truth to be told she'd just wanted to help him out in the beginning, when he had been diagnosed with diabetes, but then as time went by she felt drawn to him and then it had gotten to a point where she couldn't really live without him. They had grown together and no matter how annoyed and irritated he made her at times she could no longer imagine a life without him.
Dennis leaned in to give her a kiss which she gladly returned and then reached over to grab the sandwich and cup of coffee she had prepared for him. "I better go," he excused himself.
"When do you get home today?" she asked carefully.
"I wish I knew," he replied. "I really wish I knew."
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To be continued