Kate knew something was up the minute she walked in to T0-20 the next morning.
"Don't get comfy," Dot told her. "The boss wants us at a crime scene,".
"What's happened?" Kate asked.
"Some bird called Jackie Laverty been kidnapped," Dot said bluntly and to the point. "Possibly been murdered in the process,".
"Shit," replied Kate. This was serious, especially as that woman's name was being mentioned again.
"You're with Nige," Dot told her. "I'm travelling with Deepak,".
Kate was soon travelling to the scene with Nigel at the wheel and heading to a very upmarket part of the city. Despite his injury he could still drive which was a little surprising, but Kate didn't have time to dwell on it as they had reached their destination.
"Bloody hell," Kate exclaimed when she saw the house they had pulled up in to. The enormous security gate that guarded the property was open and several police cars and vans were parked in the sweeping driveway.
"How the other 'alf live, eh?" Nigel agreed as he got out the car.
"Tell me about it," Kate said as she followed Morton through the large open front door.
The large blood stain in the hallway was hard to miss and it certainly didn't look good for Ms Laverty if the blood was hers Kate thought as she trailed Nigel in to the sitting room. A few FI's were dotted around the place and Kate was surprised to see Steve there.
Morton and Steve locked eyes. Hostility instantly brewing between the two men. "I'm gonna go find the boss," Morton informed Kate before walking off.
Alone, Kate cast a glance around the room. Everything looked very expensive. She could only dream of owning such a place on her salary.
"Glad to see you didn't get too wrinkly in the bath," Steve whispered to her, loud enough that only she could hear as he came and stood beside her.
Kate smiled at his remark before covering it up as Tony appeared in the room with Nigel. She glanced away and in doing so noticed the coffee table in front of her with the bottle of whisky and one empty glass.
"Has anything been taken from here?" Kate asked.
"I don't think so, why?" asked Steve as he studied the table.
"Someone else was here," Kate said. "There's a ring mark on the table from another glass," she observed. Steve realised Kate was right.
"Kate, a word," Tony said, summoning Kate to him.
Someone had been here with Jackie last night and the glass that was missing probably had some DNA on it to tell him who it was, Steve realised as Kate moved away.
"Remind me who you work for," Steve heard Tony ask Kate. "Is it T0-20 or AC-12?".
"T0-20, Sir," Kate replied.
"Well you need to remember that," Tony snapped, giving Kate a public bollocking. "You find any thing important, you report it to me, your SIO, not DS Arnott. Do you understand?".
"Yes, Sir," Kate answered.
"Go and help Dot with the door stepping," Gates said dismissing Kate from the room.
"Yes, Sir," Kate repeated before scurrying off.
Morton watched her leave, his interest now piqued in his colleague. She had certainly seemed very friendly with Arnott when he had walked in with Tony moments ago. Was there more to them than met the eye? He turned his attention to Arnott to see what he was doing. He was busy staring at Tony.
Steve didn't notice Nigel watching him. He was busy focussing on Tony Gates. His reprimand of Kate had been a little over the top. Why had he overreacted, he wondered?