Chapter 28

"Um, Lottie, when I said you would be staying with Alex and his family I meant for a few days to a week not forever." Steve couldn't help but comment as he walked into the flat a week after the decision had been made. All over the place were bags and boxes, some with clothes, some with vinyls and Lottie's room looked like a bomb had hit it. As usual, music filled the flat, today it was There She Goes by The La's. Steve found the only free space to put down a box he was carrying, on the sofa, before turning to Lottie.

"I am aware of that thank you" she commented before heading back into her room and coming back out again with arms full of an assortment of scarves in different colours and fabrics.

"Do you need that many scarves? Or any at all given the amount of heating in that house?" he asked.

"These aren't for when I go stay with Alex's family, it is for Robin."

"Robin?" Steve asked confused.

"My friend from the drama department. Remember?" The expression on Steve's face told her everything. He had no idea. "You always hear me but never really listen do you? I'm doing sound remixing and such for his play?" Now Steve realised who she meant. They had talked about the play when he told her he had to go away for a while.

"The one I'm helping you get your records to tomorrow morning on route to Manchester." Lottie nodded.

"Exactly. Well, he was also talking to me about costumes and such. He needed to save some money, I have tons of clothes I never use, so I thought I'd fill the boot of your car not just with vinyls but this lot as well so he can use them to his heart's content." She sat cross legged on the floor and let the scarves cascade out of her arms onto the free floor space in front of her.

"Right, so have you actually packed anything yet? Because I'm leaving tomorrow."

"No, not yet. I will, just have to organise this stuff first. Besides, you've been wanting me to have a clear out for ages and now you get your wish" she beamed before turning her attention back to the scarves which she began to fold. Steve headed to the kitchen as he took off his coat before turning on the kettle.

"So what's in your box then?" she asked and he glanced over his shoulder at it.

"It's Christopher's diaries." Lottie instantly stopped.

"Why are they here? I thought I couldn't be around them" she asked and he heard the confusion in her voice.

"It's fine. Forensics are done with them and Gwen wants them back. Bring her a bit of comfort with everything that has been happening of late. Given I'm not going to the office tomorrow; they have come home with me. I'm meeting her tomorrow afternoon to give them to her." Steve explained. He watched the expression on her face as she registered the information but she couldn't seem to carry on folding the scarves. She just sat and stared at the box. "Do you want to look at them?" Steve asked.

Lottie looked at him shocked. "Really?" she asked in almost a whisper. Steve nodded. He walked across the room, took one of the diaries out of the box at random and brought it over to her. Lottie took it as Steve turned his attention back to making his coffee. Lottie couldn't believe this was happening. She was finally going to see something of Christopher's that he touched and wrote in. She was able to read his thoughts and feelings. He wouldn't just be a person, but a soul. Gingerly she opened the red leather bound book and saw the year 1970 printed on the opening page. She instantly knew that meant he turned 19 that year and so was a part of the police but still in Northumberland. She never thought she would be reading the thoughts and feelings of a 19 year-old boy when she woke up that morning but here she was. Soft silent tears began to fill her eyes as she read about nights out with friends, work, his little sister. He was a good man with a good heart. The cruelty in that it was stolen from him broke hers.

"You ok?" Steve asked putting a cup of tea down on the floor next to her. She looked up startled. She was so engrossed she hadn't noticed him. He sat down in front of her.

"Yes, it's just …" she couldn't continue and shook her head.

"I know. It's my job to detach in order to keep a clear head but it is hard sometimes. Luckily you don't need to worry about such things. To be honest, I'm glad you don't have to. I want you to feel and experience things but still things that legally you can." That last part made Lottie smile and roll her eyes.

"You are never going to let me forget I got high are you?"

"Nope" Steve smiled.

"You are going to find who did it, aren't you?" she asked seriously.

"I'm doing my hardest. I promise, that will never change" She heard and felt the sincere honesty of his voice and knew there was a chance the killer may never be found but her brothers determination like his love was steadfast. She nodded and turned back to the diaries.

"Is it ok if I read a bit longer?"

"Sure," he replied with a nod and for the next hour he watched her consume his words. Once the hour was up he locked the box up in his bedroom safe box ready for following day when they would bring peace to Gwen once more.

Steve's phone ringing caught his attention as he filled the boot of his car with Lottie's belongings which were going to be dropped off at college with her. It turned out she had filled the boot and some of the backseat so there was hardly any room for him and her in the car at all. Thank God it wasn't that far to the college. He looked at the caller ID to see it was Kate.

"Morning Kate," he greeted her.

"Hey Steve, can I ask a favour?"

"Depends what it is" he grinned.

"Bloody car has decided to die on me. I'm at the office with my stuff and the gaffer. Put the keys in the ignition and the bloody thing won't start! Luckily being at the office, someone else can take care of it while we are away but are we are stranded. The gaffer doesn't have his with him given I picked him up and there is no spare free right now. Would it be ok if we just take your car?"

"Fine with me but right now it is full of stuff because I'm dropping Lottie at college with stuff for the drama club," he explained as Lottie approached with her last bag.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Hang on a minute Kate," he said into his phone before turning to Lottie and explaining.

"Give me the phone," Lottie said and Steve reluctantly handed it over. "Hey Kate! Yeah no problem. Look, I've got a load of stuff that is needed for college in the boot of Steve's car. How about I put Steve's stuff back in the flat and then walk to college. By the time Steve picks you two up and then swigs by the college I'll be there waiting. So will be a bit of a tight squeeze in the back with you both and your luggage but once at the college the boot will be emptied. Then you swig back to ours to pick up his stuff. All good everyone?" Lottie asked and looked at Steve who nodded. "Steve is nodding so I guess I'll see you soon outside college. Say hi to Father Ted for me. Bye!"

She hung up the phone and handed it back to Steve. "Thanks for that. You sure you don't mind walking in this cold?"

"It's fine, besides, if I see a bus coming I'll flag it down." She took his belongings out the car, the diaries remaining with him as they weren't leaving Steve's side that day, and watched him get in.

"I'll see you soon," she waved him off and he gave a wave back. After putting Steve's stuff back in the flat she headed outside. The air was crisp and cool which she felt tickle her lungs as she took a deep breath. Once outside and beginning to walk she realised it was colder than she thought so she stopped. She quickly put on her hat, scarf and gloves. It was when she bent down to pick up her backpack that a pair of arms grabbed her from behind, one hand clamping a cloth over her mouth and nose, the other wrapped around her stomach tightly. She took a deep breath in due to the shock and felt herself go over all faint. She fought hard against the person who was dragging her into an alleyway from behind as well as the fumes she was inhaling from the cloth but it was no use. She went limp and darkness overtook her.

Luckily, being so early there was hardly any traffic and Steve got the office quickly. He parked in the underground car park and carried the box of diaries up to the office with him in case there was anything to add to it saving space in the car. He found Kate and Ted talking with Maneet who had just arrived in the office.

"Taxi for Kate Fleming," he said as he walked through the office gate.

"Oh, very funny" Kate commented rolling his eyes.

"I warn you now; the car is crammed with stuff. Who knew theatre work entailed so much crap?"

"You could say the same thing about police work" Ted added. "I think we can cope with a crammed car for about half an hour."

"Anyone want a coffee?" Maneet asked.

"No thanks Maneet, We're-"

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP

A loud screeching alarm suddenly sounded from Steve's phone, then Kate's following by Ted and Maneet making everyone stop. The collected noise was so loud and made everyone's phone vibrate adding more depth to it. Steve opened his phone and an app that he had never heard of opened on his screen. The beeping stopped and he realised it was a tracker.

"What the hell is the Rumours app? Have you ever heard of it?" Kate asked the group.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Only the greatest album of all time Steve suddenly heard Lottie's voice pop into his head.

"Oh God" Maneet said and with a sinking tone of horror. Everyone looked at her as she stared at her phone, the colour draining from her face, her hand up over her mouth. "Where is Lottie?" she asked looking up at them sharply from her screen, her hand frozen in position in mid-air.

"Why?" Steve asked sternly.

"Because this is an app she told me if ever goes off, she's in trouble." Steve rang Lottie's phone and after several rings her answer phone kicked in. He knew she listened to music on her phone as she walked anywhere so she would have heard it ring and picked up. A sick feeling of doom hit his stomach with brute force.

"Maneet, start talking" Steve commanded.