"Great work everyone," DCI Davidson congratulated her team as they made their way back in to MIT after a tough day in court. The defence barrister had been tricky to handle, but the CPS had told them they had all held up remarkably well and put them slightly ahead in the case. "I think we should celebrate with an early finish and a pint down the pub,".

"Sounds good to me," DS Lomax agreed as a few others also accepted the invitation. Kate was just about to join her colleagues when she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. It was Steve.

Stepping away from her new team, she took his call. "How was court?" Steve asked Kate after they'd greeted each other over the phone.

"Exhausting," Kate said as she entertained herself by doing a 360 degree turn on her swivel chair at her desk in MIT. "That bastard of a defence lawyer kept me on the bloody stand for about three hours," she continued as she recalled her uncomfortable time in the witness box. "Twisting everything I had to say,".

"I'm sure you gave as good as you got," Steve retorted, knowing Kate very well. He hated defence barristers as much as Kate and felt proud that his friend had caused one a bit of strife.

"Maybe," Kate answered with a smile. There had been a couple of times where she had sparred quite dramatically with the barrister cross examining her. "We're just off for a celebratory pint,".

"Can I tempt you to a celebratory take away at mine afterwards," Steve suggested. "I'll pay if you pick it up on your way over?". Without discussing it, Kate already knew he was talking about a curry from their favourite restaurant.

"I think I can be persuaded," Kate said. "About eight ok? I'll go home and change and then head back out,". It was a hot day and Kate wanted to get out of her work clothes and in to something cooler before she headed to Steve's.

"Perfect," Steve replied. "Gives me time to finish up here at AC-12," he explained. "And don't forget your toothbrush," Steve added.

This was a relatively new development in their relationship and one that was going well so far. It had come out of the blue, a surprise to them both, but one they both wanted to pursue upon reflection.

"Of course," Kate said, blushing before she hung up.

"You coming Kate?" Jo asked.

"Yep," Kate replied as she put her phone away.

"Thought you might be declining our company in favour of spending time with Steve," Jo joked. She was one of the few people that Kate had told about her new relationship with her friend.

"I might be going there after the pub," Kate couldn't help but admit shyly.

"Ahh, the thrill of a new romance," Jo said as she and Kate followed the rest of MIT out of the building and towards the local drinking spot. The was a time when Jo had considered a relationship with Kate but it was pretty obvious that Steve was the one for her, and so she had given up before really trying anything serious.

Having just one drink with her work colleagues, Kate hurried home and changed in to some summer shorts and a vest top before remembering her toothbrush. She had most other essentials already at Steve's.

Locking her flat she was soon on the way over to Steve's. The restaurant car park was full when Kate arrived. Everyone was making the most of the lovely summer evening and she had to park in the overflow car park separated from the main one by a shrubbery. The smell of the flowers on the bushes greeted her nose as she walked through the area on a well worn path as she headed to the restaurant.

Steve and her were regular clients of the eating place and after ten years of frequenting the place, the waiters knew the police officers very well and always looked after them.

"Evening Pervez," Kate greeted as she stepped inside the busy restaurant. "I think Steve has placed an order for collection,".

"Ah yes, Kate," the head waiter replied, reaching for a brown paper bag. "We don't have the pleasure of your company this evening," he said a little disappointedly. Steve and Kate were usually good fun when they did dine in.

"Not tonight," Kate replied as she peeked inside the bag. Everything looked in order, even down to the extra poppadoms and dips that the restaurant usually gave them on the house for being such regular visitors to their eatery.

"Maybe soon?" Pervez asked.

"You know us, Perv," Kate replied, using the waiter's nickname. "You can't keep us away! We'll be back in a couple of days," she continued. "Thanks for this," she said to Pervez and the rest of the team with a smile as she picked up the bag of food and made to leave.

"Have a nice evening, Kate," the head waiter replied before dealing with his next customer.

Heading back to the car, Kate remotely unlocked the passenger door before carefully placing the food on the passenger seat. The last thing she wanted was for the bag to spill its contents all over the car. She was using her service car that evening and it wouldn't be pleasant to do a stake out with the strong odour of tikka masala in the air.

Kate was so focused on the bag of food that she didn't notice the man quickly jump out of the bushes and grab her. One hand over her mouth to silence any screams as he applied pressure to Kate's neck and everything went black.