Nick cautiously stepped inside the house, wary of the firearm held toward him, more so now that it was temporarily out of sight. She could very well shoot him in the back and be done with it! Nick tried to keep composed, but as trained as he was with any situation, it wasn't every day he was held at gunpoint, especially in Aidensfield! The house was spacious and dimly lit by chandeliers, and even though it seemed to be well kept, Nick couldn't help noting its lack of homely conditions. On his right, the staircase spiralled, made from dark, polished oak. The wood under his feet matched the interior design, with not a carpet or rug in sight. For a moment, he hoped the change of surroundings would ease his discomfort from the rain, but the house felt cold physically and emotionally.

Suddenly, Nigel appeared from the left of the staircase wall, locking a door before he looked up and gasped. "Mr Rowan?"

Nick regarded him with a weak smile. "Hallo, Nigel." Nick glanced right of him, certain the room Nigel came from was the basement; that was a start. "You doin' alright?" He would rather not let Nigel know just yet that he knew about Janey, unsure what Nigel would do in a panic to then cause his mum to fret. When Nick first met Mrs Millar, there was no such sign she was unhinged like this; she certainly had Mr Fowley, the garage owner, fooled.

"What brings yer 'ere so late, Mr Rowan? It's right stormy out." Nick realised that Nigel couldn't see the danger from his vantage point and slowly stepped to the side. Nick watched Nigel's eyes widen in fear and instantly felt sorry for him. "Mam? Wot's happening?" Nigel looked between them, and he didn't need his wits about him to know danger when he saw it. "You've not come t'take me mam away?"

Before Nick could answer, Mrs Millar spoke with calmness that sent a chill down his spine. Things had taken a dark turn, and now he feared the worst for Janey Anderson. "Don't fret. Mummy will take care of things. Yer go on to bed now."

….

Blaketon and Phil shared an eery glance as they drove through the stormy night, wondering how much luck they would have searching for Nick and Janey's whereabouts in such poor conditions, but that wasn't what had them concerned; it was Kate's insistence on going with them. Blaketon could have sternly told her to stay at home, but she would have likely gone out on her own once they left, and at least this way, they knew she was safe with them.

"We're goin' out on a limb wi' this one. Waitin' til mornin' would far better for searching. Better for manpower too," Blaketon stated gruffly whilst the three scanned their surroundings as best they could. The village at night wasn't much for lit paths at this time, and the rain did nothing to help them. The only hope they had was to find Nick's bike, but that was a long shot when they had nothing to suggest where it could be.

"Sarge," Phil suddenly called as they stopped in the midst of the village green beside the bus stop. "That last call we got before Nick arrived at the station this afternoon."

Blaketon glared, knowing Phil was talking about Janey's, yet again, phoney call. "What about it?"

Phil hesitated for a moment. "Well, what if it weren't this time, a phoney call like. Nick tried t'talk t'her, but the line went dead." He turned to Kate, sitting in the back. "Did Nick say owt to yer about it?"

Kate suddenly huffed in annoyance. "No. He neglected to tell me that part." She sighed. "He seemed awfully distracted though," she offered, guilty for feeling mad when Nick and Janey were missing, and she didn't even know if they were okay!

"Are yer suggesting what I think you are, Bellamy?"

Phil knew his theory was a far cry from solid proof, but what else could they do until tomorrow? "Happen it worth a try."

Blaketon nodded without hesitation. "Aye." He looked at Phil sternly. "Well go on then!"

…..

Nick watched Nigel hesitate; he couldn't risk anyone upsetting Mrs Millar. One slip of her finger and game over. "Go on, Nigel," he gestured. "It's alright." Nick grew concerned when Nigel refused to move.

"Nigel." The man flinched at the woman's tone. "Do as your told yer ungrateful swine!"

A sudden banging from the staircase resounded, and it was just enough to distract Mrs Millar for Nick to grab her wrist and raise it toward the ceiling with sudden hope that he could get Janey out safely.

Unfortunately, Nick hadn't counted on Nigel's reaction to be so frantic. The gun slid across the floor when Nigel grabbed Nick from behind; the man was unexpectedly strong, and Nick struggled against him, causing his helmet to fall off, before being shoved hard against the bannister headfirst. Nick collapsed in a daze, trying to remain conscious for Janey's sake. It occurred to him that nobody knew where he was and that any rescue attempt wouldn't happen until light, and by then, it would be too late. Nick tried to get to his feet but fell back against the staircase. He vaguely heard Mrs Millar yell something to Nigel about him getting in the way, and when he looked up obscurely, he was, once again, faced with the firearm. If Nigel hadn't refused his mother's request, it would be over already.

"There's Nick's bike!" Phil suddenly cried as the headlights illuminated the bike when they pulled up to the estate. Phil, along with Blaketon, quickly threw open the doors.

"I'm coming with you!" Kate demanded and was out the door before either Phil or Blaketon could say a word against it.

The two officers clicked their torches and jogged to the bike. Phil was the first to find Nick's radio. "Definitely here, Sarge," Phil stated and showed Blaketon the fallen radio with concern because Nick wasn't that careless. They glanced worriedly at Kate, who clasped both hands to her chest.

Blaketon regarded Phil angrily. "Our officer is in there, lad, and potentially the girl too. Let's get them out."

"Yes, Sarge."

….

"No, mam!" Nigel cried in fright.

Nick watched as the man tried his best to reason with her. He grasped the bannister to haul himself up, and black spots almost caused him to collapse again. "It ain't right! The girl did owt wrong but lie, and I saw t'that I did!" Nigel looked back at Nick before turning his attention to his mum again. "Mr Rowan can take her home now."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Nigel," Nick told him weakly. "Your mum knows she won't come out of this well, and I'm afraid to say, Nigel, neither will you. As harmless as you think you were, what you did was kidnapping, and your mum is aiding that, not to mention the hostage implications here." Mrs Millar's smile sent another chill down his spine because as right as he was, Nick knew it didn't bode well for him or Janey either.

"I can see to it, Constable. All will be right soon enough, Nigel. Let mummy take care of this 'n' we'll be alright. I'd not let summat happen t'you, would I?"

Nick leant against the bannister for support; so much for coming away with just a cold. It was looking unlikely he would come out of this at all, and with that in mind, he made one last attempt to save Janey. "Mrs Millar, it's quite obvious you care about your son – to a degree, enough to commit a serious crime. Keep me here if you want, but why not just let Janey go, ay?"

"You think me a fool, Constable?"

Nick smiled slightly. "Well, you know, Janey's told so many lies already. Who would believe her if she told such a story?" Bluffing now was the only thing left; if that didn't work, he was out of ideas. She seemed to hesitate, and Nick thought he had convinced her until she pressed her finger against the trigger.

"Your act is noble, Constable, but if there's one game I'm good at, it's poker, and I'm callin' yer bluff." She stepped forward, not a single sign of hesitation. "Goodbye, Mr Rowan. I'll be sure to give Janey your regards before I take care of her, too."

"No!" Nick stared in shock as Nigel jumped forward to wrestle the gun from his mother's hand, and without a second thought, Nick rushed over to stop the struggle.

Just before Blaketon and Phil moved toward the house, a gunshot was heard, filling them with dread. The two exchanged fearful glances, and Kate's hands covered her mouth.

Nick's head snapped up to the woman from his crouched position next to Nigel, watching as she tossed the gun away and hastily bolted for the door with barely a glance back.

Blaketon and Phil were shocked to see Mrs Millar run from the house, and Blaketon's instincts kicked in, telling him not to let her get away. He grabbed her by the arm and shoved her lightly against Phil, who held her in place. "In the car with her, Bellamy, and call for backup!" He turned to Kate and gestured a finger pointedly at her. "Stay there!" A shot had definitely been fired; if the woman was unscathed, and to his knowledge, that only left two potential victims. Blaketon approached the house cautiously, ignoring Phil's response to wait for help.

Nick reached for a handkerchief from inside his coat and tried to stem the bleeding from Nigel's chest. "Hang in there, Nigel," he told him gravely. "You'll be alright…." Nick tried to smile despite knowing the severity of Nigel's injury.

Nigel looked at him blearily, and with a weak smile, he managed to speak. "Did I do good….Mr Rowan?"

Nick swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah, real good…"

Nigel's eyes fluttered closed as his head lulled. Nick quickly pressed two fingers to his neck, and his head dropped to his chest just as Blaketon entered the house and stopped beside him.

"Are you alright, Rowan?" When Nick looked up, a bit startled to find him there, Blaketon knew that he wasn't.

"Yes….Sarge." Blaketon looked down at Nigel's lifeless body before regarding Nick with concern as he stumbled to his feet. "I'm alright…." Nick winced a little before casting his eyes on the discarded pistol. "It was an accident, Sarge," he gestured almost bitterly because nothing about that woman deserved his protection. "Nigel tried to stop Mrs Millar from hurting anyone. The gun just went off." Nick's eyes fell on Nigel solemnly. "He saved my life." Without another word, Nick turned for the door behind the staircase.

Blaketon watched him go. Nick was a capable officer, but Blaketon worried about his state of mind; how would he cope in the aftermath?

Kate waited anxiously outside; all she knew was that Nick was okay, but she needed to see for herself, and nobody had mentioned anything about Janey either. It had stopped raining, and by now, the coroner had arrived with a few other officers in tow. Kate's breath hitched when Blaketon finally emerged, with Nick walking beside him, cradling Janey in his arms as she clung to him. Relief flooded through her. "Nick!" Hearing another familiar voice, Janey lifted her head, and Nick put her down as Kate rushed over to them. "Thank god!" Kate embraced him tightly, and his arm came around to return the hug. "When we heard the gunshot, we feared the worst!" Kate kissed him and clung to his jacket. "I woke up and you weren't there, and your note certainly didn't help."

Nick sighed, feeling guilty for causing Kate such obvious distress. "I'm sorry, love."

Kate looked down and crouched in front of Janey. "And you had us all worried sick!" Kate reached up and wiped a tear from Janey's face. "Let's get you back to the house and into warm clothes."

Nick regarded them sadly. "She knows, Kate. She heard us last night. It's why she ran off in the first place. She was coming back, but that's when Nigel and his mum, you know…."

Kate looked up at him in shock before turning back to Janey. "Oh, Janey. I'm so sorry." Kate wrapped her arms around the girl as she started crying.

Blaketon clapped a hand on Nick's shoulder to gain his attention. "You've both had quite a night. I think under the circumstances, statements and formal matters can wait until tomorrow."

Nick gave a short smile. "Thanks, Sarge."

Blaketon stared at him. "Are yer sure you're alright?"

Nick nodded. "Fine, Sarge."

Janey wiped her tears with the back of her hand and looked guiltily up at Blaketon. "I'm real sorry for running. I can still tell me story, can't I?" Kate smiled as Janey took her hand.

Blaketon smiled down at the girl. "Well, that would be right brave of yer, Miss." He then regarded Nick carefully. "Get that head seen to, Rowan."

…..

Nick sat on the sofa with Kate next to him after they had settled Janey and allowed her to sleep in their bed, staring thoughtfully at the crackling fire. Nick hoped that once he was home, he would feel a lot better, but he couldn't shake the image of Nigel's innocent question from his mind: a grown man, yet still a child.

"Did I do good, Mr Rowan?"

Nick was aware of Kate's eyes on him, and he turned to her. "You're so quiet, Nick. I'm worried."

"I'm alright." Nick brushed it off with a smile before his attention turned back to the fire. Silence ensued, and Kate rested her head on Nick's shoulder, letting him know she was there. Nick had been lucky in his time on the force, rarely witnessing tragic situations, unlike his experienced sergeant, but coming to Aidensfield, even a quaint village like this had its dark moments. Watching the grief-stricken Mr Manston as his pedigree herd was put to death through no fault of theirs or the owner was one of the most horrific experiences of Nick's career, finding the owner after he killed himself, following right after.

The memory caused him anguish, and he suddenly couldn't take the silence anymore. "I couldn't save him, Kate," he said quietly, unsure if he was talking about Mr Manston or Nigel. Kate lifted her head to look at him. "Just…." When Nick looked at her, Kate's heart ached for him. "I wasn't quick enough…" He shook his head, swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Oh, Nick," she sighed and wrapped her arms around him when he sought her comfort. When they pulled apart, she regarded him sternly. "Now, you listen to me, Nick Rowan. You are an amazing policeman, and you did all you could. What happened to Nigel wasn't your fault. If it weren't for you, what might have happened to Janey I can't bear thinking about it. Mrs Millar will have a lot to answer for and will get what she deserves. It's because of you she was even caught, and Janey is safe. Nigel can rest in peace now, free from his mother's hold, all because of you, Nick."

Nick smiled and took Kate's hand. "You really believe that?"

Kate scooted closer. "I do, and so should you." She kissed him before adding, "and I love you, Nick."

Nick chuckled. "Now that, I do believe."

…..

The hearing for Janey's case had been scheduled again two days later, and Janey finally got to tell her story. Given recent events, the court was surprisingly sympathetic toward her despite her previous antics, and Janey was cautioned with a severe warning. It was a relief for everyone involved, and the case was finally closed, but not before sending the statements to Whitby for aiding those accused wrongly so that they, too, could get their lives back.

Statements for The Millars' case were hard to relive, and Nick was grateful to have such understanding colleagues; sometimes, Blaketon wasn't as harsh as he seemed. Nick was with Janey through her statement, supporting her as he and Phil listened to what happened after she snuck away from the house.

Janey had been skulking about near the bus stop when Nigel found her, but at first, when he tried to coax her away, she ran for help. Nick was reminded of the story he told her when she said that no one believed her, agitated at the cruel irony. The court hearing for the case was scheduled for next week, but there was no doubt that Mrs Millar would go to prison for a long time. It was hard to accept, but in some way, what happened to Nigel was the best thing for him, in Nick's opinion, because he wouldn't have to suffer time in prison as well as what his mother put him through.

There was one thing left Janey wanted to do.

Nick stood in the doorway, watching Janey enter the office he shared with Alf and Phil, coaxing her forward when she stopped and looked back nervously. "Go on," he gestured quietly.

Janey stepped forward, holding something behind her back. "Mr Ventress?" Alf looked up and saw Nick by the doorway first before realising Janey was there. "I'm real sorry for what I did." A bright smile crossed Alf's face when she revealed a packet of chocolate digestives. He glanced at Nick, who laughed with him.

Alf accepted the biscuits gratefully. "Apology accepted."

The charges against Mr Carter were dropped, and he was released with a warning due to first offence, able to return to his two small sisters and mum, with a follow-up at Kate's insistence to see to her illness; it turned out that she had bronchitis.

….

Kate and Nick were sitting on a bench with Janey, waiting for a social worker to pick her up. It was hard to explain that due to the severity in which she came by them and the demanding hours for their jobs, Janey couldn't stay with them. Janey had grown attached to them, but Nick and Kate weren't quite ready for such a full commitment to a child who had been through what she had; it wasn't fair to her, and Janey needed more than they could provide. Nick managed to get in touch with an adoption agency, and he knew Janey would be well cared for once they had found her suitable guardians. It was likely that Nick and Kate wouldn't be able to see Janey again, so they had taken her out for the day.

Nick tapped Janey's knee when he saw the social worker pull up. He stood up with Kate, who took Janey's hand when a kind young woman approached them, showing him her badge, and Nick nodded with a smile before crouching in front of Janey. "This is Miss Woodgrove. She's going to help you from now on, alright? Everything will be okay. Just make sure you're good, ay?" Nick looked at Kate awkwardly as Janey hugged him tightly. The awkwardness was having to say goodbye, but he knew they were doing the right thing.

"Come here you," Kate called and embraced Janey with tear-filled eyes. "Take care now. You're such a brave girl, you know that?" She rubbed the girl's arms, trying to hide her emotions. "You're going to be absolutely fine."

"There'll be a funeral next week," Miss Woodgrove told them. "Janey might want you there."

Kate nodded and looked at Janey with a sad smile. "We'll be there."

Nick and Kate watched Miss Woodgrove lead Janey to her car, and Nick wrapped his arm around Kate. "She took the news of her mum's death better than I expected. It was like she had already mourned her, given the neglect."

Kate smiled sadly. "You're probably right." She looked up at him. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Nick looked down at her with a smile. "M'fine, love." He then gestured to Janey as the girl turned to them with a smile and waved, and they returned the sentiment. "That makes it worth it."

….

Nick sat at the kitchen table while Kate pottered about the kitchen, deciding what to do for dinner, when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Kate urged before Nick even opened his mouth. "Oh, hello, Mr Oldman. What brings you here?"

Nick tried to hear the exchange between his wife and the unknown visitor, but they were too quiet, and the conversation seemed short when Kate closed the door again. Nick looked puzzled when Kate returned with a mischievous expression. "Who was that?"

Kate lifted up a white bag. "Mr Oldman from the butchers." Nick leant back in his chair with a sheepish grin; he had forgotten all about the steaks. "You're always full of surprises, Nick Rowan." Nick smiled when she laughed before making her way over to kiss him.

"By the way, what were you saying before about it not being my head this time?"

Kate smiled in amusement.