Too late ?
Matt headed into the courthouse as the clerk announced the Bail Hearing was about to take place. He saw Ronnie leave the gents toilets just as Kate and Jake left the Robes Room.
"Ron!"
"What you doing here?" Ronnie frowned. "Matt? What is it?" He was instantly concerned as the younger man ran a hand through his hair. "Where's your sling? Alesha said the doc told you not to take it off."
Matt ignored the question as he watched his wife leave the Robes Room before heading into court. He felt his blood run cold as Ronnie stared at him.
"Alesha."
"Matt, son you are beginning to scare me. What is it?"
Matt turned his attention back to his friend. "Valentine. His son, Angie tracked him. He's in London."
"And you think he's coming ere?" Ronnie looked around, convinced he could recognise the man he had last seen as a toddler. "Really?"
"Yeah. You said he was like his father. That he held a grudge."
"Yeah but he can't be more than twenty two. A kid!"
"A kid who thinks his dad would never have gone to prison if his old partner hadn't given evidence against him." Ronnie shook his head.
"He didn't kill his dad! Partridge did."
"Someone paid Partridge." Matt fell into step beside him. "His mother took him to Australia and remarried a pig of a man. Domestic and physical abuse were daily. His stepdad was a paedophile. He was in prison."
Ronnie nodded. "And if Jimmy hadn't been corrupt he never would have gone to prison so Jayne wouldn't have taken him to Australia and met that scum."
"Yeah."
"He blames us. Me and is dad." Ronnie paused. "And you were just caught in the crossfire."
Matt shrugged. He knew it seemed far fetched but he really didn't see an alternative.
"Right then." Ronnie nodded. "Let's get in there and see what Partridge is going to say."
Xxxxxxxxx
James walked the corridors of the CPS deep in thought. Henry and George had called a meeting and Alesha appeared to have gone AWOL, which worried him more than he thought. Knowing Kate and Jake were at the court did little to settle his nerves. Matt visiting him, while looking for the now heavily pregnant Alesha was also a concern. Rubbing his eyes he did his best not to worry as he headed towards Henry's office.
"James, sit down." Henry nodded to the chair opposite his desk. James did as asked. "Are you alright?"
James sighed. He hated it when cases became personal. He knew Alesha and himself had also joined the firing line as they had successfully prosecuted Valentine years earlier.
"Have you spoken to Natalie? If not, you should."
"DCI Chandler? Why?"
"I'll take that as a no then. Matt came by, looking for Alesha. He has a theory. I think it's credible." James looked him in the eyes. The older man frowned.
"Do you? Ok, explain it to me then." He sat quietly as James explained himself.
Xxxxxx
Ronnie sat down on the wooden bench outside the courtroom. He knew Alesha and the others were inside. The hearing was moments away from starting. Matt frowned.
"Ron?"
"You've got a point there son." Ronnie shook his head. "Once again people I care about get caught in the crossfire." Matt shrugged, remembering Wes and Denise. The sound of gunfire filled the air as Matt felt his blood run cold. Before either man could register what was happening they were barrelling towards the courtroom entrance as more shots filled the air.
Xxxx