Same but different
Angie paced her living room as she waited for Joe to answer the phone. Seconds later a very tired Joe Hawkins answered the phone.
"You ok?"
"Yeah." Angie paused. "Spencer was in prison for drug offences and violence, yeah?"
"Yeah." Joe ran a hand over his face as he listened to his friend. "We know that."
"His girlfriend was killed but so far no one has been charged with her murder."
"Ang, I'm knackered. What are you getting at?"
"I can't get over to the station now. Justine is in bed but I think the same person killed Liam and Alice. I think we don't have the culprit for Alice's death because he was already on remand."
"Hold on." Joe sat forward, his hands resting on his knees. "I'm not sure I follow."
"Spencer."
"Couldn't tie him to it."
"Forensics are better now. We need to look at Alice's case again." Angie warned to her theme. Joe yawned.
"Ok, you know we'll have to run it past the Guv. UCOS might kick up a stink."
"Let them. It's not as if we can't do with the help." Angie sighed. "Get some sleep, you sound knackered."
"I am. See you in the morning." Joe said his goodbyes before hanging up.
Xxxxxxx
Ronnie woke with a start. He was so used to waking up to a cacophony of noise from the girls he had forgotten what it was like to wake up in an empty house. He glanced to his left; watching as Natalie slept. She looked ok, the same as always. She didn't look unwell, she didn't look like a cancer patient. He rolled into his back wondering if she had wanted to push him away because of his history with alcoholism. Was she scared seeing her go through surgery and chemotherapy would send him back there? He hated himself for her worrying about him when she was the one that deserved the attention.
"Oh Nat." He turned onto his side as she slept. "I won't let you down. If that's what you're worried about." He whispered as she stirred slightly. "I promise."
"Ron." Her eyes opened slowly as Ronnie smiled. Natalie Chandler was not a morning person. Never had been. "Eh?"
"It's ok." He sighed as he pulled her gently into his arms. "We'll make it ok. You rest now." He kissed her hair as her eyes closed once again.
Xxxxxx