Hi everyone. Sorry I have been away - life got in the way of my writing. I am now off work though for 2 weeks so hopefulyl I will be back soon with a new chapter :)

Chapter 12

"Why can't I get this?!" Lottie said frustrated slamming her text book closed.

"What's going on?" Steve asked walking into the living room while doing up his tie.

"Preparing for a history test. I can get the events and sequences in my head no problem. It's the dates that are the issue. I can't remember them and when I do I get them muddled up. Why did I have to have an interest in history?"

"If you didn't then Christopher wouldn't be one of our cases. There is more to history than just dates you know. Why don't you come up with a limerick or a song to help you like they do in schools?" He thought his suggestion was good given her interest in music but her face told him otherwise.

"I guess I could which will take away time when I could be studying, or I could go on bended knee and ask Jack to tutor me."

"Who's Jack?"

"The guy at the top of my class. If he can't teach me I don't know who can."

"Don't put so much pressure on yourself. You've been working so hard you might have some burn out."

"After the test, I promise I will."

Lottie got on her phone and called Jack arranging a tutor session that afternoon. She was determined she would nail the test by hook or by crook.

"Sorry it took so long for me to get here. Accidents on rural lanes make some areas come to a standstill" Charles apologized as Steve walked with him to the AC-12 interrogation room. Charles was well preserved for his age and if Steve had to guess he would have put Charles as being in his 50s not nearly 70. The Lake District air must have done him some good over the years. He made a mental note to look about going there for a possible future holiday.

"No problem, glad you made it in one piece." Steve indicated to Kate and Ted who were waiting inside.

"This is DS Kate Fleming and Superintendant Ted Hastings. They are investigating Christopher's case as well as me" Steve explained. Charles shook hands with both.

"Nice to meet you both though I wish it were under better circumstances. It feels odd being back here after so long. The building has changed so much! We didn't have any of these glass box rooms or even two way glass back in my day!"

"Please sit down. I'll admit this case has been taking me back too. Things have certainly changed" Ted added and everyone took their seats. "You ok this being recorded?" Ted asked.

"Of course. I remember the procedure well. Times have changed but some things don't." Kate triggered the recording to begin and the usual introductions were made for the tape.

"Can you tell us about your relationship with Christopher?" Ted asked.

"Not going to lie, it was tough. Not all colleagues get along. We got along enough to be able to work together but there were tensions that both of us couldn't resolve. They were on both sides so it wasn't a single party to blame. He was just difficult."

"In what way exactly?"

"He was like an excitable puppy. So eager without understanding of consequence and more interested in wins than the feelings of those in his path. Being older I tried to teach him a thing or two about how the world worked but he didn't want to hear it. Only once did he allow advise to be heard from me and that was when we had a particularly sinister murder of a five year old girl and her young mother. It messed his head up and he had to take a bit of leave when that happened."

"When exactly was that?" Kate asked.

"I couldn't give you specifics but it was in early 1972. January I think because the house still had Christmas decorations up when we went to the crime scene. The girl was named Annabelle and her crack addicted dad went and got high and killed his family thinking they were monsters in his house. A bad trip wiped out his entire future. Annabelle's body was … well there are some things you can't prepare yourself for seeing. Every year I would think 'nothing can be worse than this' at least once a year and then the next one would come, and then the next. The damage to Annabelle's body was so bad that she couldn't be identified without dental records and DNA. She didn't deserve that. I had to get out of the force because nearly two decades of seeing the worse in human nature stopped me from living. Christopher was either going to turn into a great detective with great respect from everyone, or he was going to crash and burn as an addict and get lost in the darkness. After the case with Annabelle it did change him and his attention to kids and victims became more personal to him with each case. That's when I grew worried for him. Like I said, he could get lost in the darkness. It didn't change our relationship but it changed my respect for him. It saddened me when he disappeared as the reality of the darkness came visible to me. It was no longer a myth or a thought."

"Did you socialize with him?" Steve asked.

"Only when I had to, like when the group of us would go out for a drink and such. Even then I stayed as far away from him as I could. There was only so much of his arrogance I could take."

"Did it turn violent at all?" Kate asked. Charles looked at her in surprise and then the penny dropped.

"You spoke to Nicholas didn't you? Once it did, but that was over a matter outside of work and happened long before he disappeared."

"What was it about?" Steve asked.

"His girlfriend, Liz."

"Liz?" Steve clarified. A new name to add to the mix.

"Yes, Liz McAndrew. He was sleeping with her while he was dating Holly Lightstone and had been with both for some time. At the time of the fight Holly had no idea. This was around April 1972. I had managed to put the pieces together from observations of the two in the office and I walked in on them kissing in the records room earlier that day. Chris of course freaked out and tried to make me believe that I got it totally wrong and nothing was happening but that was total bullshit. I'm not an idiot and watching your colleagues stick their tongues down each other's throats isn't 'nothing'."

"So what happened during the fight?" Steve asked.

"I was really angry at Christopher for what he was doing with Liz. I had tried to talk to him but he didn't want to hear it. Holly was a really nice woman as was Liz, they both didn't deserve that. So I got drunk and said a few things I shouldn't have. Everyone thought I was talking about Holly's tits when he knew I was talking about Liz. So he dragged me across the room and told me how it was none of my business and to go fuck myself. That's when Nicholas stepped in."

"What did he do?" Ted asked.

"He tried to get in the middle of us and calm down the situation. Told us we were being twats and come back for another drink. Christopher wasn't having any of it. That's when I asked Christopher 'what was it like keeping so many secrets as a pathological liar' and he just threw a punch at me."

"Did Christopher explain exactly why he punched you?" Steve asked.

"He didn't punch me. Nicholas did. Told everyone I had called Christopher a puff and I told everyone it was a miss-understanding. Christopher never said a word. Bastard had strong morals but was fucking gutless sticking up for his own fight. Guess whose voice was absorbed by the masses? I got moved departments. Christopher got promoted to acting DS in my place. Sure he had to wait until 1974 to be officially given that title but it was because of Nicholas throwing a punch and lying to everyone. Fucking twat! Made me laugh though that technically as he was still as DC he had to wear a constable uniform. Kept tell everyone he was a DS wearing that, laughable. By the time I got back to MIT Christopher was gone and Nicholas was unbearable. I stuck it out for six months and ended up moving down south to the Plymouth. Thought the sea air would help my mental health issues but it made them worse. Being in the south didn't fit but I had to work to give myself routine and a purpose of helping people so I stayed there for ten years. I had to be in the north and I had to get away from the force so The Lake District fit like a glove. It is what has kept me alive."

"Who else was there when the fight happened?" Kate asked.

"Liz, Holly, most of MIT, and Christopher's friends Vic and Mark."

"Do you know Vic and Mark's surnames?" Kate asked

"Vic Anderson and Mark Peters. No point looking for them, they are both dead. Mark was a lawyer and he died of aids back in the early 90s. He had drug issues and didn't think about the affects of sharing needles. Vic a journalist got his throat slashed and his body dumped in the River Mersey in 1976. I was in Plymouth when I heard the news. I didn't make it in time for the funeral. He was a nice guy. Suspected robbery gone wrong it was determined as he was out alone drinking and there was nothing that could be uncovered of any bad blood with anyone. His wallet was gone but he was quickly identified by someone he met in a club not long before he was last seen. Robbery? Fuck that, he got taken out for something else I know it. Being a journalist he professionally dug up dirt on people. I don't know what he was working on but in my opinion someone bore a grudge. He deserved better than just being classed as a robbery victim and the case being kicked to the curb like it was. Why you ask? All because he was gay. Corruption in the force is fucking sick and I hate it. Vic was an innocent man just trying to live his life."

"Do you know anything about a bank robbery Christopher got caught up in?" Kate asked.

"Oh yeah. I heard about that through the grapevine. That was a major fuck up on the force's part. Four robbers? One goes missing? Three dead, three shots fired? Straight away that stands out as being a big no. Not possible. If you ask me, there is something about that which screams cover up. I hope to god you find out what really happened that day."

"I have a theory" Kate said to Ted and Steve after they saw Charles out of the office.

"Go ahead" Ted responded.

"What if 'Holly' isn't one person? Based on what Charles told us, Holly Lightstone and her relationship with Christopher was in 1972 and perhaps 1971 as well depending on when they started their relationship. Neither Charles nor Nicholas said when they broke up but you know what it is like on the force, when a rumour spreads it goes like wildfire so I imagine that they broke up at some point in 1972 as well. Here is the thing though, Liz is mentioned in the diaries as his friend quite often and Holly is mentioned on and off from 1971 to 1974. The dates don't align."

"You've read all the diaries?" Steve asked impressed. There were over ten years of them.

"Only 1970 - 1974. Makes for interesting reading when chilling out at home with a glass of wine I can tell you."

"They could have had an on-off relationship" Steve pitched in.

"True, but if you were told or heard rumours that your partner was sleeping with someone else who you also work with, potentially in your workplace, would you go back to them? I don't see her doing that. I know we haven't met her yet so I can't understand her thought process but it doesn't feel right to me."

"I see where you're coming from Kate. Let's hope that she can give us more information when we meet her tomorrow. By the way I have finally heard back from TSB. It took them some time but they have found the records of the robbery and are willing to meet with us at the scene of the crime. You both up for a trip to Manchester next week?" Ted asked to which both Kate and Steve nodded.

Steve couldn't help looking around The Winslow looking for Lottie. She was meant to have met them an hour before but she hadn't arrived. It was only 7pm so no way near her curfew but she had said she was on her way following her tutor session one and a half hours ago.

"She'll be here soon Steve, don't worry" Ted said before finishing off his pint.

"Yeah you don't know the route she has taken from that guy Jack's place. It might just take longer to get here" Maneet added.

"I know. You know what I'm like. I can't relax until she's here" Steve explained.

"Here, drink this, it'll make you feel better" Kate said presenting him with a fresh pint of beer. Steve never got to drink it though as the door of the Winslow slammed open catching the attention of everyone in the room and in ran Lottie looking hot, out of breath and joyous. She caught sight of Steve and her face lit up like a toddler seeing a puppy.

"Steve! There you are!" she said loudly and rushed over to hug him. Everyone was baffled and she gave him a massive hug and kissed his cheek before collapsing into the chair next to him. "I have had THE BEST day! Why is it so hot in here?" she asked as beads of sweat began to roll down her forehead. She took off her jacket and stared looking around the room a bit wide eyed and in wonder of everything.

"Lottie, have you been drinking?" Steve asked turning to her.

"Nooooope!" came the reply with a dramatic head shake which clearly she found hysterical as she suddenly laughed uncontrollably. Her eyes fell on Kate making the laughter stop.

"Kate! I LOVE your hair. Your cheekbones are insane."

"Um … thanks" was all Kate could think to reply. Lottie then turned back to Steve and she started laughing again.

"You look like a hamster" she told him and then tapped a finger against the tip of his nose saying "boop!" as she did so. Again more laughter. "Have you told them your secret yet?" she asked Steve in a loud whisper making him go wide eyed.

"Don't you dare" he warned her. She shook her head.

"I won't …. Pim." Again, hysterical laughter. Ted, sitting close by reached over and touched Lottie's wrist making her jump.

"Teddy! Hi! What's with the eyeballs all over your tie? That's freaky. I don't like that." Ted wasn't even wearing a tie so he couldn't do much about whatever she was seeing right now.

"I'll get to that in a minute" he said then turned to Steve. "Her pulse is raising and her pupils are dilated" he said quietly to Steve. Now looking at her eyes, Steve could see it too. She wasn't drunk, she was high and with her fast pulse, temperature and temperament, a whole number of drugs came into Steve's head include speed, ecstasy and marijuana.

"Lottie, I need to you tell me what have you eaten today? Have you taken any pills?" Steve asked.

"No. I've had toast ….. crisps …. Chocolate ….. OH! And brownies. They were SO GOOD! Do you have anymore? I'm starving. Does Pete sell brownies? PETE!" Ok this was really bad now Steve determined.

"No Pete doesn't sell brownies" Kate jumped in to help.

"Well he should."

"Where did you get these brownies?" Ted asked. Lottie stared at him wide-eyed.

"The eyeballs Ted. Turn them off! I don't like them." She then covered her eyes with her hands and kept them there.

"Lottie, where did you get the brownies?" Steve asked more urgently and pulled her hands down from her face.

"Jack's kitchen. He told me to help myself."

"College friend" Steve said knowing Ted and Kate wanted to know.

"Do you know if these were special brownies?" Kate asked. Lottie shrugged.

"I don't know. His friend made them. Someone called Mary Jane."

Steve closed him eyes. So it was marijuana and she didn't know what 'Mary Jane' was slang for. "Ok, Lottie, this is really serious now. How many did you have?"

"This many!" Lottie held out three fingers and then her face fell. "I feel funny. I don't like this." She leant over the table and rested her head on her folded arms.

"Ok, I think we need to get you to the hospital" Steve said.

"No! I don't wanna" Lottie protested into her folded arms without lifting her head. Then a pint glass appeared on the table in front of Lottie making her look up. Holding the glass was Alex and the glass was full of iced water.

"Drink this Lottie, now" he told her letting go of the glass.

"Alex!" she said delighted and then her face fell. "Can you stop swaying? It's kind of freaking me out."

"I'll stop swaying and the eyeballs will go away if you drink this."

"What is it?" she asked looking disgusted.

"Liquid brownies. They make everything better. Don't tell Pete, ok? So drink up." Her face lit up and she quickly took the glass and drank the whole pint in one go.

"I'm tired" she declared having finished and sat back in her chair closing her eyes. She began to slump to her left but Kate caught her.

"Do you want me to call an ambulance?" Alex asked Steve.

"No, we can get her to the hospital faster, thanks. Blues and twos."

"I'm coming with you." Kate said.

"Me too. Everyone, not a word of this to Lottie when we are back. I'm sure she will be embarrassed" Ted said getting up. The three of them managed to get Lottie out of the pub and right as they got to Steve's car Lottie doubled over and threw up all over Steve's shoes.

"Better on your shoes then in the car?" Kate asked trying to see an upside to the situation.

Thankfully they could see from the puddle Lottie left behind that chunks of brownie had left her system so hopefully that meant the levels of drugs in her system were less than there was five minutes before. The A+E doctors confirmed that the brownies had been laced with marijuana and speed which meant that the police had to get involved. Steve had inadvertently trespassed on her college life as she begged him not to but it wasn't his fault at all. She wouldn't see it that way of course. That was for the morning though. In the meantime it was a case of sitting and waiting for her to wake up from her high with a freshly pumped stomach and Steve's ruined shoes.