Chapter 48: Unknown emotions

…

"Thank you," Danielle said, as Adam handed over her cane. Instantly she felt him tense and knew she was in trouble.

"Excuse me?" Adam's voice was dangerously quiet. "I think you forgot the magic word?"

She was genuinely confused. "Sorry?"

"SIR!" Adam yelled, grabbing her by the ears and dragging her up the stairs. She felt her shirt slide up her back and prayed she wasn't about to get carpet burns. Fuck. She hadn't said 'sir' and in Adam's book, that was a capital crime. Sure enough, within seconds they were in his bedroom, and he threw her to the bed and roughly yanked off her pants and underwear. She knew what was coming, and she didn't mean him.

Adam lay down on top of her and was inside her immediately, without any preparation for her. She felt herself start bleeding, as he began to thrust inside her as hard as he could. They were supposed to be leaving for an engagement and she knew they would now be late, but there was no way Adam would let them go before he'd 'taught' her who was boss, and she'd apologised for daring to disrespect him.

"You… call… me… Sir," Adam grunted as he raped her. "At… all… fucking… times, bitch!"

"Yes Sir," she squeaked, tears of agony falling down her face. How could she have been so stupid? A mere 'thank you' would never satisfy Adam, not from a woman anyway.

When he was done, Adam again grabbed her by the ears. "Listen you fucking bitch! You like ears so damn much, then use yours and listen to me, I will not give you another warning! If a man does anything at all for you no matter how small, you must worship him for it! I am your man, which means you will respect and worship me the most! We are to marry soon, then you will obey me even further, as a wife should her husband. In the old days wives used to call their husband's 'my Lord,' so you will do exactly that when we marry. They had the right fucking idea back then!"

With that, he slipped a cheap plastic ring on her finger, which probably cost him about one dime. Some romantic proposal! She thought grimly as he pulled her to her feet, again by the ears. Pain shot through her ears straight into her head.

"Thank you, Sir," she said immediately, nodding towards the piece of shit ring he'd just given her.

"That's better wench," Adam acknowledged, dragging her back towards the stairs. "Now let's try this again, we have a place to be, my dear. You are to remain on my arm the whole evening, you know the rules, not speak to other men unless you are spoken to, hell not to speak unless spoken to. Do this all night, and I may, I said may, be gentle when I fuck you when we get home. Do you understand me?""

"Yes, Sir."

…

She wasn't sure how long she'd been unconscious for but when she once more became aware of her surroundings, she was lying on her bed. On the one hand she was relieved, because it meant her scream hadn't been as loud as she thought. On the other however her heart was broken, because it meant Michael had indeed left just as he'd said he would. She didn't blame him, she understood his need for space, but why the fuck did she have to pass out just before he did?

She sighed and stood up, testing her legs. Dizziness threatened to take hold, so she grabbed the edge of her night stand. Shit! How hard had she hit her head, even into soft foam? When she felt strong enough, she staggered over to the desk and picked up her water glass, taking a long sip of the ice cold, refreshing liquid.

"What do I do now?" She asked herself out loud. Apart from wanting to text Colin right there and then which she didn't want to do in case she said something she regretted in anger, she felt alone, confused. How the hell could he say that to Michael? He could've come to her at least. Did he think she was too fucking delicate right now to take it? Typical fucking man!

Immediately she hated herself for the thought, but neither could she shake it off completely. Colin had been a coward, plain and simple.

…

Tim had just got into the bed in his hotel room when a text came through on his phone from a number he didn't recognise. Picking it up, he glanced at the message.

Tim. Please can you call me? I cannot make outgoing calls, and I need to talk to you. M.

M? Tim thought uncertainly, then it clicked. Michael? He'd given the killer his number as had Nigel, Dave and Emma. He very much doubted Colin would have. How could he have been so petty? Tim still couldn't believe it.

Hitting the call button, he held the phone to his ear. It rang twice then there was a click then silence, except for calm, steady breathing. This immediately confirmed Tim's suspicions. "Hello, Michael?" Another text came through.

I apologise for disturbing you. Just so you are aware, you are on speaker phone and Rick is with me. I need to talk to you, if I may?

"Sure," Tim sat up. "I'm all ears, go for it."

He heard Rick chuckle and understood. 'All ears.' It made him smile too and think affectionately of Danielle.

"How can I help you, Mr. Myers?

You're doing it again, 'Mr. Myers'. Stop it.

"Sorry caught me," Tim blushed and let out an embarrassed chuckle. "What can I do for you, Michael?"

He loves her, and not like a brother should, doesn't he? I saw how he hugged her and whispered in her ear, let alone allowing her to touch his ears. I am not controlling or jealous towards her but given what he told me, I know what he was trying to say to her.

Tim sighed. "Michael, her heart belongs to you, you need to trust me on this man. You mean the world to her. Colin had years to tell her and didn't, you gained her trust over a period of months, and she fell in love with you. Tough luck Colin, he was too late."

What about her? Does she love him like that?

"No way!" Tim said vehemently. "Not in that way, there's no damn way in hell! Please Michael, you need to trust her. She's probably really upset and angry right now, she needs you to comfort her. Please don't doubt her? After everything she's been through, the last thing she would do is lie to you. You've shown her who a real man is, what real love feels like, she would never risk that."

"Well said!" Tim heard Rick say. "I totally agree, Michael. This man is wise. If your relationship is going to work, you have to trust what she's telling you. You have to! Otherwise, you're doomed before you even start! Believe me Michael, love is a precious thing and when you find it, it's very easy to lose! Please don't let that happen?"

…

When she hit the call button, she was relieved to hear Mel's voice answering her call. "Hi, are you ok?"

"Mel, please can I talk to you?"

"Of course, you can sweetheart, what's happened?" Mel opened the door and entered.

"Out of here? Can we go for a coffee in the canteen? Or a walk or something? I just have to get out of this cell! Please?"

"Of course," Mel said instantly, gently taking her arm. She'd already slid her clothes and shoes back on before pressing the call button.

Joanne had gone home after the group had returned to Haddonfield, as had Jack to be with his wife. She wasn't sure why Rick had stayed, but guessed he had his reasons. Maybe he was working a night shift and would take an extra day off later or something?

"I'm sorry I'm not Joanne," Mel said as if reading her mind and laughed. "But I hope I can help you just as she would."

"Mel, I think as much of you as I do of Joanne. You two ladies have been nothing but kind to me, I know you came over to this ward after I entered as they wanted another female guard and I'll tell you something? I'm really glad you did."

"Is that just because I've got sticky out ears?" Mel asked and she couldn't help it, she started to laugh. Mel joined her, lowering her head so she was touching said 'sticky out ears'.

"Ok got me!" she said as her laughter died. "Thanks Mel."

The guard released her and once in the canteen sat opposite her, them both holding steaming cups of tea. "So," Mel began again. "How can I help you? I'm all ears! Yep, ears!"

"Shut up," she muttered, but was smiling slightly. She took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Mel, right now I'm seriously fucking pissed off at Colin, my adoptive brother. He's only fucking… sorry," she stopped, ashamed of her language.

"You carry on," Mel chuckled. "We're the only ones in here and I swear a lot too, it's ok. Tell me what's wrong?"

"Colin's only gone and told Michael he apparently has fucking feelings for me, hasn't he? Says he's had them for years, but was too scared to tell me, even after I attempted suicide! Only now that I'm in love with Michael does he decide to tell someone, and he chooses to tell Michael himself! He could've approached me, mom, or dad! Hell, even Charlotte before she got hurt! But he didn't, he told Michael! Why? Did he think I was too 'delicate' to take it? Typical fucking man! I don't want to be looked at as if I'm made of cotton fucking wool! I'm trying to get over that and be my own woman! But he doesn't tell me, does he? Even before I fell in love with Michael he had time, it wasn't overnight, believe me it wasn't! But did he? No! If he's had them for 'years'" she sketched air quotes around the last word with her fingers. "Then why the fuck didn't he tell me? What? Does he think that now Michael knows, I'm just going to go oh, I didn't know that! Yay! Sorry Michael, I didn't know Colin feels that way about me, so I'm leaving you to be with him? I mean seriously! What, the, fuck?"

There was a short silence after she finished her rant, then Mel softly spoke. "Wow?"

"Yeah, I know right?" she stormed. "Talk about a fucking cowardly thing to do! I've also got a horrible feeling Colin brought up 63 and 78."

"Surely not? Why would he and what makes you think that?"

"Michael's seriously angry Mel, and he's left me for the night."

"I did wonder why you were alone in there," Mel said. She let out a long, low whistle. "Shit."

"I'm totally not against Michael needing and having space, but like this? For these reasons?" She pulled out her phone and showed Mel the text Michael had sent her re leaving.

"So," Mel said thoughtfully as she read it a few times. "He says you'll talk tomorrow and depending on how it goes, he may come back to you?"

"That's how I read it too," she agreed. "But I don't know what he's expecting me to possibly say that's any different to what I said tonight. Nothing will change, I love Michael Myers Mel, and that's all there is to it! If Colin wanted me to know, he acted too late for me to care."

…

So, what are you suggesting I do?

"Isn't it obvious?" Tim said before he could hold the words back. "Go back to that damn cell man, comfort her, tell and show her that you believe what she's saying. What did she say to you?" That she loves me, and she would not leave me for him. She said that he had years to tell her and didn't, said I own her heart and that won't change."

"So why the doubt Michael?" Rick asked softly. "If that's what she said to you, why do you doubt her?"

Because she has known him a lot longer than she has known me.

"What damn difference does that make?" Tim could feel himself getting a little frustrated now. "Damn it Michael, she told you she loves you! If you're going to doubt her purely because of how long she's known Colin, your relationship doesn't stand a fucking chance!"

"Again, agreed," Rick said.

He seriously wants to be with her, however. If he did not, he would not have brought up 63 and 78.

"Yeah," Tim growled. "That was fucking low! I'm with you on that!"

"He did?" Rick sounded horrified. "WTF?"

"Yeah," Tim said grimly. Asked Michael why he…" now he hesitated, not wanting to say it even to quote Colin. "He asked Michael why he killed Judith in 63 and those guys in 1978."

"Fucking hell," Rick breathed. "That's…"

"Selfish and a fucking low blow? Yeah, I know man!"

"Michael," Rick said gently. "You need to trust her. How many times have you heard Dr Stark telling her the very same thing about you? It takes two for a relationship to be long, loving and successful, you can't afford to doubt each other at least not without reasonable proof. Apart from knowing Colin longer than she's known you, has she ever given you one single shred of reason to believe she actually wants to be with Colin?"

"Well said," it was Tim's turn to say.

There was a moment's silence, before Michael's reply came through. Tim assumed he was showing them to Rick before sending them to him.

She has not.

"Well, there you are then," Rick continued. "Don't let doubt in, Michael. She needs you right now, hell," he lowered his voice and Tim was sure he'd leant towards Michael. "You know as well as I do who's in that fucking MS cell up there, not to mention the guy who shouts out misogynistic bullshit any time day or night. She needs you with those guys around. If she's telling you she loves you and that will never change, you have to trust her if you want this to last! You have to, Michael!"

Tim was sure he heard the killer's soft sigh, before Michael texted again.

I was just so angry at him not her. The nerve he had to say he would fight me to the death if I hurt her. Now I understand it, he is her brother. But he was saying it with entirely the wrong motive, he wants her to be his.

"Yes, but firstly we all know he'd lose and secondly that isn't going to happen," Tim said quietly. "She's yours Michael, you're hers, simple as that. Please don't let your insecurity win? She doesn't want to sabotage your relationship, I'm sure you don't either and also it wasn't even her who told you, it was Colin. So why are you taking it out on her, making her suffer for it, when she didn't even say anything?"

"That's a good point," Rick said. Again, they both heard Michael sigh.

I did not mean to do so, he just made me so angry, especially bringing my past into it.

"Yeah, on that I'm with you," Tim said. "But please, go back to her, comfort her, love her? I saw the texts you forwarded me you sent to Danielle, that you would talk to her tomorrow and return depending on how that went. But man, she's not going to say anything different than what she's said to you tonight already. You're the one she needs right now, no one else. You're also the one she loves, not Colin! Colin is her brother, nothing else!"

I also think I accidentally hurt her. When our friend in the MS cell was about to be let out, I pulled her back, something Dr Stark had asked me to do. But I grabbed her left arm, forgetting how bruised it is. That was another reason I had to leave, I felt so bad about that. He was just going to be out within seconds, and she was sitting at the desk, I…

"Panicked?" Tim and Rick said in unison.

"That's not a crime either," Rick said.

"That's normal love," Tim finished.

Damn you both.

The two men chuckled. "What?" Tim asked. "Did you think when you asked me to call you, I'd say oh yeah, she's going to be with Colin, she just hasn't told you yet? She loved him all along. Sorry to disappoint you, Michael."

"If you think you caused her injury," Rick murmured, so Tim could only just hear him. He raised his voice a little, clearly realising this. "Then you have to go back and make sure she's alright. I'm sure she is, but I totally understand why you'd feel bad. But leaving her because of your guilt is not the answer, Michael. Go back and check on, comfort, love her."

There was silence, but Tim was almost certain the killer finally nodded.

"Good," Rick said, confirming Tim's suspicion.

"Um, Michael," Tim started, a little nervous now. "Before you go, can I quickly ask you something?"

You may.

"Thanks. It's just… I know our friend Irish C was brought into Smith's Grove very shortly after. you know, killing mom." He heard Rick's soft gasp. "Yeah," he clarified. "My mother was one of his fucking victims! Did you…"

I was 18 when he was brought in. I was here if that is what you are asking me.

"Fuck me," Tim let out a long breath. "I wish you'd killed him for me and all the rest of his victim's families!"

The electric chair did a fine job of that.

"Still took fucking long enough," Tim growled. "They thought he…" he stopped himself. Michael had victim's families too and he was being treated in Smith's Grove just as Chadwick had been.

"I…" Tim blustered, unsure how to finish.

My treatment obviously worked, just not in the way Dr Loomis was expecting. It's ok Tim, I understand. Chadwick didn't stand a chance. No one would be able to get to his heart, he wouldn't have let them live long enough.

Tim let out a shaky laugh. "Touché, and don't I fucking know it! That said, I didn't think you would either."

…

"Come on," Mel said after a while, as Danielle laid down her empty teacup. Once she was trusted, Dr Stark had allowed her to use China cups instead of plastic ones, same with plates, knives and forks. "Let's head back. You never know, Michael might be there waiting for you."

"I suppose miracles do happen.".

"Now come on," Mel chided. "That's not the attitude! Michael loves you remember. He just needed time to think, of this I'm certain. When you get in there, he'll be right there to love you tonight. Mark my words."

If you're wrong you owe me dinner," she tried to smile.

"Fine, you've got yourself a deal."

"You're really that certain?"

Mel stopped, released her arm and pulled her into a hug. "Yes. I'm that certain. Trust me. Let's call it mother's intuition."

"You have children?"

"I do, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. So, when they grow up, I will have exactly the same things to go through. Terrible teens, girls and boys, maybe drugs…" she gave a dramatic shudder.

But once they entered the block, she pulled on Mel's arm, the signal for her to stop. "I don't think I can do this," she said, once more blinking back tears. "Not with… who's in the MS cell! If Michael isn't there, I can't face it!"

"Then what would you suggest?" Mel asked. "Moving to a whole new ward? That's what would have to happen if your only goal is to get away from them."

"Ok you've got me there. I just…"

"Now you listen," Mel said so firmly she stopped dead in surprise. "You listen to me Danielle. He'll be there, I promise you this. If he's not you can put the screen up and read a book, then you won't hear anything at all. Did you take that sleeping pill Dr Stark gave you?"

"Uh, no," she admitted. Mel sighed.

"Well, I will also make damn sure you do if I have to! I'll use force if necessary."

"Dr Stark threatened me with that already," she said as they entered the corridor.

"Mine is not a threat though. It's a fact."

"The scary thing is I believe you."

They reached her cell and Mel said nothing, just buzzed open the door. She heard the door close, then the main door to the corridor. Mel was gone. She remembered how Michael had put a pill just the same as the one she was about to take on her tongue once then helped her swallow it with water, back when they'd just been friends. How things had changed since then, but how she wished he was with her right now.

She put the pill and water on her nightstand then approached the desk. She wanted to follow Mel's advice and take her book to bed until she fell asleep. She had a hope albeit thin that it would distract her at least some from the terrible pain in her heart, not to mention the anger towards her adopted brother. He sure as hell hadn't heard the last of this.

She had just reached the desk though when her uninjured arm was taken but with nowhere near as much force and she was gently but firmly pressed into the soft wall. The foam felt good against her hot skin even through her clothes. Before she could even think about what this meant, she was being kissed as she'd never been kissed before. Michael's mouth moved against hers passionately, hungrily, as if determined to claim and own every part of her with his love. She felt herself becoming weak under the intensity of his kiss, but also felt love gush up within her. Michael was desperately trying to comfort her. Talk about showing her, albeit in the romantic sense who she belonged to! She wouldn't have it any other way. As he did so, she felt him gently lift up her bruised left arm, raise her shirt and she just knew he was looking to see if he'd bruised her flesh further when he'd pulled her back.

"I'm ok Sir," she said softly. "It… it was just a shock…" She was stopped as once again Michael's lips pressed against hers and for the first time, his tongue slipped into her mouth. She willingly granted him access and in spite of everything, she started to feel something she'd thought she never would again. Desire. Eventually she pulled back slightly, gasping for breath. Michael's arms tightened around her as though trying to stop her walking away from him. Holding back tears, she rested her head against his chest.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Sir," she said finally. "I promise you I'll do my best to get some sleep and I'll talk to you only when you're ready. I'm sorry, it was just a shock. Thank you for staying to make sure I'm ok, but I promise you I'm fine. I'll take that pill right now." She made to pull away and head towards the bed, but Michael's arms tightened still further, and he pulled her back against him. Next second, his lips were back on hers as now he lowered his head, so she was touching his ears, moved them in her hands and even wiggled them as he kissed her urgently. She felt her heart speed up. He was trying as hard as he could to apologise for something he had not done. He'd had every right to be angry, was it because he felt bad for taking it out on her?

Still kissing her and wiggling his ears, the killer led her back towards the bed and passed her her pyjamas, before she heard the rustling of his clothes. A few seconds later, he carefully and lovingly lifted her into bed. Then, he got in beside her. "Don't stay if you don't want to just because of this Sir," she said, remembering how she'd said those almost exact words what felt like a lifetime ago, when Jefferson had tripped her up with his foot right after Michael had given her that letter about giving him mixed signals. God! How things had been or at least seemed simpler back then. Even if she did have no idea of the danger, she was about to be in. But she wouldn't change it for the world. "Honestly I'm fine, I totally understand if you need some space tonight, I don't blame you either. You were kind enough to come down to Haddonfield with me the first time, then again when I was kidnapped. So, believe me Sir, I'll more than understand and don't blame you if…"

She was again stopped as pulling her tightly to him, Michael once again placed his ears in her hands before he was kissing her again. Now she understood he was telling her not to call him Sir. But after knowing he was angry and everything else, she'd been through recently; she wasn't sure she could do so just yet. That was when once again, her phone buzzed with a message from the killer.

Please don't call me Sir, I'm not going anywhere, I am so very sorry.

"What the hell are you sorry for?" She asked him softly. "It's Colin's fault, not yours. You've got every right to be angry."

No, I do not. Certainly not at you.

"I'm telling you he hasn't heard the last of this Sir, I'm going to t…" she was stopped by his lips pressing to hers, every kiss now long and protective. She felt tears rush to her eyes, this time of love. She held him as tightly as she could as they continued to kiss. Colin? She thought as Michael's mouth seemed to caress hers. He lost his damn chance; he was too late. My heart belongs to Mr. Michael Myers now and always will.

Hey, stop with the Sir, please. I know it's hard, but I'm asking you please to try. I am not Sir to you, I am Michael.

She felt tears running down her cheeks again as he cuddled her close and kissed her. Right then, she'd never felt so loved and protected in her life. "Stop it," she couldn't stop the laugh as Michael again wiggled his ears. She heard his quiet chuckle in return, before she got another text from him.

Right, I believe you have a doctor's order to follow?

"No idea what you're talking about S…" she just managed to stop herself in time and hugged him again.

Do not think that went unnoticed, it did not. Well done.

She read this text twice, feeling her heart lift. Michael Myers was praising her. What were the damn odds? She would've been slashed to bits by him a year ago no questions asked. As he picked up the pill and lovingly touched her lips signalling for her to open her mouth, she felt as if she had to pinch herself. This was a dream it had to be, right? She did so and he placed the small round pill on her tongue, before holding the water glass to her lips. Once she'd swallowed the pill, he pulled her back into his arms and her hands onto his ears. "Did you know it was Greggory in there?" She asked him softly. "It's just Dr Stark told me, not you. I don't know if he was trying to address us both, but it sounded way more directed towards me than you." Michael kissed her again, as she received his response.

No, I did not. But I am not in as much danger from him as you are.

"Yeah," she said bitterly. "Because I'm a fucking woman, spare me the script!"

"Shh," she heard him actually say this time, as he started kissing her again. It wasn't long before she felt the pill kicking in, and her eyes began to close in sleep. But just before the pill took her, her phone buzzed with another text. This one she had to read three times before she was certain it was really there, not a drug induced dream. When she realised it was, she hugged Michael as hard as she could, and this time it was her to kiss him. The text said four simple, yet enormous words.

I love you, Danielle.

…

Illinois state prison Maximum Security Unit. WARNING: twenty-four-hour video and audio surveillance. Authorised personnel only. Unauthorised trespassers will be arrested on site, with force used if necessary. Please drive up to the first gate and stop at the red light for assistance.

James Rickets glanced out of the window of the marked police cruiser as it slowly approached the light. Reading the sign made him realise all over again what he was about to do, about to face. Peters glanced over at him from the driver's seat. "You, ok?"

Rickets felt embarrassed to admit to his boss just how nervous and unsure he was, not to mention his utter hatred and contempt for the man he was about to visit. If given his choice, he'd be running as fast as possible in the opposite direction. He glanced down at his tracksuit and hooded top with a gang members logo on the chest and felt even sicker. Could he really pull this off? Pretend to be one of Culshaw's thugs? He wasn't sure he could. He'd always been on the side of the law, even from a young age and this was pushing him beyond any boundaries he'd ever crossed before.

Peters stopped just before the light and to James' surprise, laid a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be ok," he said softly, obviously knowing what his officer had been thinking. God, was he that easy to read? Or had it simply shown on his face? Peters continued. "I wouldn't ask you to do this James if I wasn't 100% certain you could pull it off."

"You've got more faith in me than I have in myself," Rickets muttered. Peters ignored him.

"You're one of very few officers Mr. Culshaw has never met before, and you certainly don't look like one right now."

James opened his mouth in protest, but Peters spoke over him. "No don't miss understand me. That's a complement, a good thing. Mr. Culshaw will have no idea you're under cover, you read the document I gave you on how to speak, act and so on, so you'll be fine. All we need is names, James. That's it. Once that's done, you'll be straight out of there, I promise. I'll be just in this car outside the gates and as soon as you're done, I'll take you home again. Rest of the week off, remember?"

Rickets managed a small smile at his boss. He hadn't asked, Peters had obviously been able to tell how nervous he was and had offered him the rest of the week off as a thank you. After this, he'd probably need it. Rickets swallowed hard. "I don't know Sir…"

"James," Peters continued, his voice gentle just as it'd been the day, he'd asked Rickets to do this crazy assignment. "I know why you're reluctant, of course I do. If I could go in there for you I would, but unfortunately Culshaw knows me. You are the most experienced officer I have who can fit this position. No," he added as Rickets opened his mouth. "I am not just saying that to make you feel better, that's the God's honest truth. You are young, you don't have the look of a cop and Culshaw will believe you are trustworthy. Listen son," he squeezed his subordinate's shoulder. "I know you're worried about Michelle and the bump, but I promise you they'll be perfectly safe. They don't even know you exist, remember? AS far as Culshaw is concerned, you're a gang member visiting your boss."

At the mention of Michelle and 'the bump,' Rickets felt his heart lift a little. He'd married his childhood sweetheart at 18 and now they had their first child on the way. Peters saw his fond expression and smiled. James couldn't help himself and pulled out his phone, bringing up a picture of them on their wedding day which Peters had attended, then a first picture of one of Michelle's early scans.

"Aww," Peters murmured, glancing at the screen. "Is it a boy or a girl? Or too early to tell?"

"We don't want to know; we told the doctors to keep it a secret."

"What are you hoping for?"

"A boy of course Sir," James grinned and Peters chuckled. "No seriously? I don't care. Son or daughter, I can't wait to meet them."

"They're going to be very lucky to have you as their dad, so just keep your son/daughter in your mind when you're doing this, and you'll be just fine."

"I know, but I can't stand even the thought of Culshaw getting his misogynistic hands on them! That fucker would rape Michelle and…" he swallowed.

"But that's not going to happen," Peters said firmly and squeezed his shoulder again. "I promise you, that's never going to happen. I totally understand where you're coming from and what you're saying because of what Culshaw represents, but you have my word James, I'll die before that happens."

"Why can't we do this another way?" James burst out before he could stop himself. "Why can't we find his family some way else? Why the hell does it have to be this way? Sir," he added quickly, but Peters to his total shock now put an arm around his shoulders. James would never have believed his hard, down to business boss had such a caring side to him.

"Believe me," he said softly, "we've tried. We've tried every other way we can think of. But as you know, Ashley's family left him at a young age, which is probably what contributed to his misogyny and criminality, it is in most cases."

James blinked hard, finding himself absurdly close to tears. "Unless you're fucking name's Adam Dawson and your father brought you up to be a misogynistic prick."

"Exactly. But we have no idea who Ashley's family even are. He wasn't born Griffin; he was born Atkins. He changed his own name and deliberately I think, made it impossible for us to track any of his relatives down. Besides that, even if we did, who's to say they'd even care? But we have to try, someone's son is dead, they need to know."

"Good fucking riddance. What about Culshaw's other fucking gang members? Christ knows there's enough of them! Why do we have to talk to Culshaw himself to get the information?"

"Yes, but they're not exactly going to walk up to a uniformed police officer and say, 'oh by the way, I know where Ashley's family are if you want to tell them that our main man on the outside is deceased,' are they? This man we know knows… knew Ashley very well, so will have the best chance of telling us where his family are located. Just remember, act like you're grief stricken, tell him whatever you need to make him trust you."

"I only have an hour sir, no guarantees we'll get anywhere. I know you gave me that arrested gang members ID," he pulled it out of his pocket. "But that doesn't mean he'll trust me."

"Maybe not straight away, but you know something? I do. I trust you to pull this off successfully James, or I wouldn't have asked you to do it. On this at least, you need to believe me."

"Ok sir, thanks," James said after a moment's hesitation. "I appreciate your confidence and trust in me, but I still don't like it."

"Totally understandable," Peters said.

"I take it the guards are in on it?" James gestured to himself. "They'd never let me in with his ID and looking like him! They'd arrest me on site!"

Peters chuckled. "This is true. Yes, those on a need-to-know basis are aware. Come on son, the sooner we get this done the sooner we're out of here. Are you ready?"

"You mean the sooner I get this done," James muttered, regretting his words immediately. But Peters chuckled and squeezed his shoulder a final time before releasing it.

"No James, I meant 'we.' Because I'm going to be here every step of the way. You have that hidden radio in your collar. You need help, use it."

James took a deep breath and finally nodded. He was also wired for sound, so everything said would be recorded and could be heard back at HQ. "Ok," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm ready sir, let's do this."

"That's my man," Peters smiled at him before driving the final few yards towards the red light, and the sensor which would alert the guards someone was at the gates.