Alibi?

Ronnie had been silent on the way back to the station; staring straight ahead as Matt drove through the streets of North London. Both men knew Valentine would have been given a hard time in prison, both knew corrupt coppers had few friends whatever side of the fence you looked.

"The Guv text."

"Yeah?" Matt slowed to allow a car to exit a junction.

"Wants is back as soon as. I thought this might happen." Ronnie sighed, feeling utterly defeated. Matt frowned, not quite understanding his friend. "We're off the case son, someone somehow thinks we or rather I av done this."

"Ron! That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Ronnie paused. "No course it weren't me! I'd wonder if I was still on the booze but no I'm not guilty of murder." He looked directly at Matt as he spoke.

"Of course you're not!" Matt answered without a thought. The idea that his best friend and surrogate father could kill anyone was absurd. He knew Ronnie too well.

"But?"

Matt carried on driving, his eyes firmly on the road ahead.

"If I were Sam or any other copper I'd be looking at people Valentine had upset. That includes me, Natalie and you." Matt stared ahead. "Jimmy Valentine was a murderer."

"I know."

"But He was your mate." Matt sighed. "He set you up."

"I know. Which gives me motive." Ronnie sighed. "Shahid Nafore was a drug dealer but Jim shot him in cold blood."

"Yeah and it looks like someone else returned the favour." Matt parked the car as Ronnie nodded.

"Not me."

"Mason?" Matt asked. "Clive Mason?"

"I dunno." Ronnie paused. "But I should have trusted you back then. I should have seen what you did."

"No one did."

"Apart from your Alesha." Ronnie sighed. "I'm sorry Matthew. I trusted him. I should have trusted you."

Matt nodded. He knew it was the first time they had really spoken about what had happened back then. He had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.

Xxxxxxxx

"Clive Mason." Angie took the file she was carrying over to Sam's desk. "Died four years ago. DS Monaghan- Anna died in a car crash last year."

"Ex DS Monaghan." Joe paused. "Took money from Mason and Valentine. Corrupt coppers like her and Valentine make me sick."

"Yeah." Sam took the folder. "This the original case file?"

"Yes. George and James were told to offer a Section 71 to Valentine in exchange for information on Mason." Angie explained. "You can imagine how James Steel felt about that."

"Glad I weren't around then." Joe paused. Angie sighed.

"It wasn't a good time."

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Natalie walked towards the main entrance of the police station deep in thought. She trusted Sam to run the investigation into Valentine's murder. She nodded to the female Sargent from uniform as she reached her.

"Ma'am."

"Hi June." She smiled. "Seen my two reprobates yet?"

"Ronnie and Matt?" June paused. "Not since first thing in the canteen." Natalie smiled, knowing Ronnie would go straight to the canteen for as much caffeine as he could get. She stepped towards the door as two gun shots ran out. A woman screamed as Natalie and June ran towards the sound of shattering glass.

Xxxxx

A/N are Ronnie and Matt Ok? Please review