If at first ...

"Ron?" Sam followed the older officer through the corridors of the police station as he tried to catch up with him. Ronnie Brooks was seen as a proper old school copper - pushing 60 he was old enough to be the dad or grandad of most of the MIU team. It was well known he had been looked over for promotion because of his age and his past history with alcohol. But if there was anyone another copper could rely on it was Ronnie. It was that thought that worried Sam.

"Alright son?" Ronnie turned to him. Sam nodded.

"How's Matt?"

"That boy has the luck of the devil." Ronnie shrugged. "Should be discharged next day or so."

"Good." Sam smiled, he meant it. After Wes' murder and being drafted back into the team he had prayed none of his team were hurt on his watch. So far Ronnie had heart surgery and Matt had been shot. He shook his head sadly knowing that neither was his fault - just as DI he felt it was.

"What's up?"

"Luke Partridge. Uniform pulled him in twenty minutes ago." Sam watched as Ronnie frowned. "Thought you should know. Uniform say they found a gun on him. Looks the type of thing that would have been used to shoot at you and Matt."

Ronnie nodded. "You know I'm not supposed to be told this. You said it yourself." He headed towards his desk. Sam nodded his agreement.

"Yeah. Yeah, I did." He sat down - looking as defeated as he felt. "Angie is searching the records and Joe just took June's statement but there is nothing to link Partridge to Matt or you."

"Ok, Thought the name didn't ring any bells. And is there a link back to Jimmy?"

"Not yet." Sam sighed.

"So? What's the common denominator? Who links Jimmy, me and / or Matthew to Partridge?" Ronnie rested his glasses on his forehead. Sam smirked. "You're a good DI Sam. Don't let people make you doubt yourself. Sometimes it's just good to have a sounding board. Pull everything you have on Jimmy and Partridge. See if any names come up." He turned his computer on as Sam nodded before walking away.

Cxxxxxxxx

"They've arrested someone." Jake stared as he walked into the office. Kate looked relieved; knowing that they finally had a light at the end of the tunnel. "Luke Partridge."

"I know that name." Kate bit her lip before turning to the computer. "I defended him. Didn't win. Didn't try to. Petty crook, drug dealer. Think John and I persuaded him to plead guilty. Can't remember the arresting officer." She tapped away. "Oh."

"Oh. I don't like Oh." Jake leaned over the computer watching the screen intently. Kate leaned back, closing her eyes as she felt his warm hand on her shoulder.

"Anna arrested him. Now she's dead." Kate paused. "RTA last year on the motorway. Apparently she was heading to her brother's house in Newcastle. Artic unit crushed the car. Anna Monaghan was the only fatality." She read the screen. "Drug dealer dead, corrupted copper dead, Valentine murdered. And Matt shot."

"I think Ronnie was the intended target." Jake narrowed his eyes. "He's probably aware but we need to warn him."

"And Natalie." James paused. "They May have something to do with the previous case. He's shot Matt but that may be deliberate as he and Ronnie are close and Matt was around when Valentine showed his true colours."

"So? You think Natalie Chandler is a target?" Kate was immediately worried about her friend as James sat in the chair opposite her.

"Honestly? I wouldn't rule it out." James frowned. "If I wanted revenge on Ronnie Brooks I wouldn't go after him. I'd go after those he lives for. Natalie, his kids, Alesha and Matt."

"The team as it was back then. They have nothing against Joe and Sam but the others." Jake frowned. "Let's get over there. See what he says when joe interviews him."

"There has to be a connection. Luke was in prison when Valentine was on trial." James explained. Kate swore.

"An eye for an eye?" She watched as both men stared at her. Jake ushered her out of the room.

"Bloody hope not."

Xxxxxxx