It's Thursday so it's update day! Thank you as ever to Hollie for the reviews, they are so appreciated!
Three more weeks passed and heralded the start of August. She was halfway through her pregnancy, and to her it had flown by. She couldn't wait until December so she could meet her baby at last, her and Callum's little miracle. The Inspector had given the couple the afternoon off so they could go for their anomaly scan. As Jess woke up the day of the scan, she stretched, got out of bed and opened the window to encourage a breeze in. Callum responded by pulling the covers further over him, so that Jess could only see a tuft of brown hair on the pillow. She laughed quietly to herself and padded over to the drawers, searching through all the bottles and tubs of things on top of it until she found what she was looking for. Cocoa butter. She was determined not to get stretch marks- she had been lucky with Luke and hoped she could be lucky again. She opened the tub and scooped some out with her fingers, rubbing it onto the top of her breasts.
"Here, let me do your bump." Callum's voice came from the bed. He was propped up, watching her with a smile on his face. He scooted to the end of the bed and took the pot from Jess' hands as she moved to stand between his legs. He scooped some out and gently rubbed it all over her stomach. His hand suddenly paused, and his eyes widened.
"Callum?" Jess asked, looking at him closely. He snapped out of it, and quickly beamed at her. "What? Why are you smiling like that?"
"I felt the baby kick. As I was rubbing the butter on, he kicked me, right on my fingers." Callum said in awe. Jess had forgotten that he had never truly felt the baby kick.
"Feels amazing doesn't it, our baby is in here, knowing who we are, who you are, that you're his daddy. He's showing you that he knows you're there." Jess said with a smile. Callum bent down, placing both hands on either side of Jess' bump. He looked up at her, and she placed her hands over his. His lips skimmed her bump, laughing when the baby kicked again.
On the way to the hospital for the scan, Jess' mind drifted to the sex trafficking case at work. With Stevie supporting them, Jess and Sally, with help from Mickey and a few others, were slowly building a case against Grant Trafford. Looking through his financial records, it was obvious he was careful about all the transactions happening in his accounts, but there had been some slip ups.
There were regular payments of large sums of money from one particular account, and by looking at that account, via a few staged accounts, they were led straight to Ricky. They finally had his full name, Ricky Cheung, and his background. He'd been done previously for pimping and assault, but had supposedly kept his nose clean in recent years. Now all they had to do was get a firmer link between Grant and the other men who were involved in the sex trafficking industry. And then a link from them to the house and all the women in it.
They were getting there though, and all of those involved in the case were determined to get a result, whatever it took. It was already a big case with the potential to overwhelm Sun Hill's resources, so other departments from other stations were pitching in to help.
Jess was laying on the bed, waiting for the ultrasound technician to sort himself out. He finally sat down, getting the gel out. Jess lifted up her white peasant top, allowing him to squirt the gel on her stomach. She shivered; Callum clasped her hands in his, rubbing them gently to warm her up.
"Ready to see your baby?" the man asked with a smile. They both nodded quickly, their faces turned towards the currently black screen, their eyes transfixed.
The technician gently placed the transducer to Jess' bump, moving it this way and that, finally fixing on the baby. Callum's lips curled into a smile, and he leant closer to the screen. Jess grinned, her memories reaching into the past when it had been Luke's 20 week scan, and it had been Dan, and not Callum, sat clasping her hands. She felt a tear trickle down her cheek for that child she had lost, and she pulled one of her hands away from Callum's to wipe it away. He looked round at her, seeing her tears.
"Are you ok?" he asked her quietly, moving his hand to cradle her face, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
She nodded, "Yeah, fine."
"Don't lie Jess, you're terrible at it." he said with a small smile, "Remembering Luke?"
Jess was always amazed at how easily Callum could read her. She was about to shake her head, but she knew that he already understood, "Yeah, just remembering when we were having his 20 week scan. He would be five now, would you believe, he'd be in school! He would have been a brilliant big brother to the last baby, and this baby. But at least he'll always be with us, he'll protect the baby for its whole life. He's been gone two years, Callum, how has that happened?"
"I don't know darlin', but you're right, he'll always protect his little brother or sister." Callum said, kissing Jess' hand lightly.
"I've taken all the baby's measurements, and little one is growing perfectly. I've not identified any anomalies, but that isn't a guarantee. He's at the optimum length and weight for his gestation." the technician said with a smile. "Did you want to know the sex of the baby? I can tell you if you like? Cause even though I'm saying he, I always say he, I don't know if your baby actually is a he or not." he babbled.
Jess looked at Callum. She didn't want to know, wanted it to be a surprise. Callum shook his head, "No, we'd like it to be a surprise thanks."
"Ok then. Now, you've booked in for a 4D scan as well, is that right?" he asked them. Jess was about to shake her head that no they hadn't when Callum nodded.
"Yeah, that's right." he said, with a smile at Jess.
"What? Since when?" Jess asked, confused.
"Since last week when you told me when the scan was. I've paid for it already, so don't fret." he said.
"Oh Callum thank you! We can take it in and show everyone at work later on." Jess said with a smile.
"That's my girl." he replied.
Jess and Callum arrived at work an hour later. Seeing the baby moving on the screen and being able to see the face had been amazing. Jess had never known anything like it. She wished that she'd been able to have it done for when she was carrying Luke as well, but she had to stay strong and concentrate on her child who was living, not her child who was dead. Jess had difficulty doing her trousers up, and conceded that she would have to order some bigger pairs. She picked up the scan pictures, both 4D and normal, and walked along to the Inspectors office. She knocked brusquely, being granted entrance straight away.
"Ah PC Stone, how is everything?" she asked straight away, indicating Jess to sit down.
"Brilliant ma'am. Here are some scan pictures, and Callum treated us to a 4D scan as well." Jess said with a smile, handing over the scan pictures. The Inspector cooed over those for a few minutes then handed them back.
"Was there something else?" she asked, steepling her hands.
"Yes actually. I need to get some more trousers, these ones are refusing to do up properly." Jess said with an embarrassed smile. "Can you just sign this then I can get them ordered?"
"Ah, well I can sort that out for you. Come back to me later and I'll have them. Is that all?" she asked, signing the uniform request form.
"Yes ma'am, thanks. I'm going to head up to CID, get stuck into the sex trafficking case. Thanks again ma'am." Jess said with a smile as she left the office.
She walked along the corridor, climbing up the stairs and walking through the doors into the CID office. It was practically empty besides Stevie, Sally and Mickey who were working at Mickey and Stevie's desks.
"Jess! How did the scan go?" Sally asked as soon as she saw Jess walk in.
"Brilliant, take a look at these." Jess said, placing all the scan pictures on the desk so the three officers could have a look.
"Wow, you got a 4D scan as well! Lucky you. Aww bless, look at his face!" Sally said in delight.
"Did you find out whether you'd be having a little Callum or a little Jess?" Stevie asked, looking at the scans.
"No, we wanted it to be a surprise. Well, I wanted it to be a surprise, I think Callum was curious, but he went along with it." she said with a laugh.
"It's going to be a cute baby, that's for sure." Mickey said with a smile. Jess gathered up the pictures, placing them in her purse and in her pocket.
"So, less about little Stone here, what's happening? Where is everyone?" Jess asked as she pulled a seat up to the desk.
"They're out on a raid with Max that has been planned for weeks. They took anyone who was available." Stevie explained.
"Yeah, better for us with him not moaning at us though on a supposedly pointless case." Mickey said, plopping his feet up on the desk.
"How is this case pointless? We're trying to get rid of sex traffickers here!" Jess said in outrage.
"You know what he's like though. If he's not involved in it, or if he isn't leading it, it's pointless to him. But, we have had some developments." Stevie said with a smile.
"Oh? What?" Jess wondered, leaning in closer.
"Well, now that we have Ricky Cheungs name and we've found him on PNC, we ran checks on all known associates and the state of his finances. A few of his known associates have been getting money paid into their accounts by a Mr Cheung. So we've got links with them, enough for reasonable suspicion that they are also involved." Mickey explained.
"Who are these people? Are they known to us?" Jess asked, wanting to know everything.
"They are Jason Ross, done a few years ago for soliciting and assault alongside Ricky. Then there's Graham Woking, also done for assault, but this time of a prostitute, and finally Pete Landon. His previous is for soliciting." Sally filled in.
"So they all have a link to prostitution in some way, and the fact that Jason was done alongside Ricky is interesting." Jess mused.
"Exactly, we're trying to pull everything together. We're going to go to the DI when he gets back, present everything we've got, see if we have enough to bring Ricky in for questioning." Stevie said.
"But hang on, can we link these associates to the brothel? I mean sure, they're linked to Ricky, but are they linked to the brothel itself or even to Grant Trafford?" Jess asked, knowing that unless all their evidence was watertight, they wouldn't be able to bring Ricky in.
"Interesting you should ask that. Jason Ross is a known associate of Grant Trafford, so that's one link. Also, we've had some uniform doing obbo on the brothel, and we have photographic evidence of each of the men coming and going. We also have a picture of Grant Trafford entering as well, and one of Ricky and Grant shaking hands just outside the brothel." Mickey informed her.
"Right, that's good. Has anything more been heard from Lana?" Jess wondered. The other three shook their heads.
"Nope, sorry Jess. But, one more thing, one of Grant Traffords associates in the industry has links in China. We have strong links and good evidence to get Ricky and these other men in here for questioning. We have Meili's statement, and we were thinking of contacting Lana, seeing if she'd be willing to help us." Stevie suggested.
"I don't know if Lana would, not if there's a chance that our evidence doesn't stick for some reason and Cheung is freed. I know that we've kept Meili safe so far, which is brilliant, but I honestly don't know if Lana would do it for us, not unless we can get her into witness protection." Jess said honestly. The other officers thought it over for a moment before Stevie nodded.
"You're right Jess. When the DI gets back, we'll ask him whether we can get her into witness protection if she agrees to help us. I don't see why not personally, considering all the big players we could potentially take.down with her help." Stevie said with a nod.
"Ok then, let's get this on the road." Mickey said with a grin.
As soon as the DI and the other members of CID had returned, Stevie and Mickey had pounced on him with all the evidence in their case. They had been in there for ages, so Jess thought she'd do something useful while she waited. She sat in front of Stevie's computer and pulled PNC up, typing in Lana's name. She wrote down Lana's phone number and walked into the corridor just outside CID. She keyed the numbers into her phone and took a deep breath. The phone was answered after three rings.
"Lana Ramriez." she said in a husky voice.
"Lana, it's PC Stone." Jess said quickly.
"Oh, what do you want?" she asked, all huskiness gone from her voice.
"I wanted to ask you for your help." Jess said, treading carefully.
"My help? And why would I want to help you?" Lana asked, and Jess could sense that she was smirking.
"Because we might be able to help you in return. Our case against Ricky Cheung and Grant Trafford has enough evidence in it to bring them in and take the case to court. We'd like your help." Jess explained.
"If you have enough evidence, what do you need my help for?" Lana asked; Jess could hear the slight lilt of hope.
"We want you to give us a full statement of your treatment at the hands of Cheung and Trafford, and how you came to work for them. We want everything you've got to help us secure a firm conviction." Jess said.
"Do you think I'm thick? You know what would happen if I did that and then they got free? I'd be dead. I already got beat so bad when they realised Meili had gone, I ain't risking it again." Lana said quickly.
"That's where we help you. We'll put you in witness protection; give you a new identity and a new life to start again. Away from Cheung. Away from Trafford. Away from prostitution." Jess said strongly. There was a lengthy pause. "Lana?"
"Yeah I'm still here. If you can guarantee that I'll be put into witness protection if I give a statement, then yeah, I'll help you. If not, don't ring me again." Lana said, hanging up. Jess pressed the end call button and walked back into CID, straight to Manson's office.
It had all been set up. Lana had been contacted and given the news that yes, they could guarantee putting her into witness protection if she gave them a detailed and lengthy statement. She had come to the station that very evening, managing to get out of the house while Ricky was out pimping some of the other girls. She had stayed for three hours, talking of how she had ended up with Ricky, what her treatment had been like, about Ricky's associates that she knew of, about the sex trafficking going on between Grant Trafford and Ricky; she told them everything and anything they wanted to know.
Once she had finished, Stevie and Jess had walked her through what was going to happen the following night when they made the raid on the brothel. Lana was scared, and she had a right to be, but she was going to do it. She had to do it to get herself out of the whole game of prostitution. So with that, the plans of the following evening's raid came together. Stevie and Mickey would be leading it, with both uniformed Sergeants and various other uniformed officers helping. Ricky was their main target; any other associates that they nabbed at the same time was a bonus.
Callum and Jess lay in bed that night, but neither was asleep.
"I don't want you coming on that raid tomorrow night." Callum said suddenly, startling Jess. She turned over to face him.
"Why not?" she asked.
"What if you get hurt? What if he hurts you or the baby?" Callum questioned.
"Callum, I could get hurt anytime I go on patrol, or while I cross the road, or if I slipped in the supermarket." Jess pointed out.
"You know that's not the same. This is high risk Jess." Callum said gently.
"I am not sitting out of it, you should know that there's no way I would miss it. I have helped build up that case for the past month, I've been with it since the very beginning, I'm not leaving it now because you're worried I might get hurt. I can look after myself." Jess said firmly.
"And what about the baby? Can you absolutely say that you can keep our baby safe?" he questioned, knowing he had her.
"No I can't. But this baby will be fine Callum. I promise." Jess said, a more gentle tone in her voice. She rolled over, her back to him, and kept quiet.
Lana was ready. The team was ready. Everyone knew what they were doing and what the aim was. They knew that Ricky Cheung was to be arrested and detained no matter what. If Ricky managed to get away, that was it, the case was no more. There was a fierce look of determination on each officer's face while Stevie gave the briefing; none of them would be the one to let Cheung get away, no way in hell. As soon as Stevie had finished the briefing, everyone got to their feet, zipping up their stab proof vests, grabbing their hats and making their way out to the van. The Inspector hurried over to Jess, handing her a bigger vest.
"Here, put this on, it should fit you better. Be careful." Gina warned as she handed the vest over. Jess quickly peeled off her other one and pulled the new one on. It fit perfectly.
"Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am." Jess said hurriedly, rushing out the briefing room to the van. Callum held out his hand for her, pulling her up and in. The doors to the van were slammed and Callum ran around the driver's seat. He climbed in, started the van up, and skidded away from the station.
The van was sitting around the corner from the brothel. Jess had just rung Lana, checking that Ricky was still in the house. Lana had unlocked both the front and back door to allow the officers to get in quietly, and she had locked herself in her room, and she knew to stay there until Jess came to get her. Callum had felt more reassured knowing Jess wouldn't be actively going for Ricky with the rest of them; her job was to get Lana and get her out the building safely and back to the station once Ricky had been arrested. Stevie, who was sat in the front seat of the van, turned around to face her team.
"Right, you know how important this is to get Ricky detained as quickly as possible and taken back to the station. We have got no room for mistakes. Do not let Ricky go. You all know what you're doing. Do it well, and do it safely. Good luck." she said with a smile as they all clambered out the van. Time to get to work.
The officers split into two teams, one going through the back, one going through the front. Mickey was leading the team going in the back who consisted of Smithy, Nate, Leon, Sally and Ben. Stevie was leading the team going through the front consisting of Callum, Will, Roger, Millie and Beth. Stevie gave the signal, and both teams moved into the house.
Jess went straight for the stairs, hunting for Lana's room. She realised that Lana wasn't on the first floor and headed straight for the second floor, knowing that the officers behind her would check the rooms in a minute.
Halfway up the stairs to the second floor, she looked up to find Ricky, wearing silk boxers and nothing else, trying to get down the stairs she was now blocking. She placed herself firmly in the middle, making sure Ricky couldn't get past her. Footsteps behind her announced Callum's arrival. He stood on the step two below Jess', his eyes never leaving Ricky. Ricky straightened up, sneering when he read Jess and Callum's name tags on their vests and saw their wedding rings.
"Well isn't this nice. I get to be arrested by the husband and wife team. Lucky me." he sneered.
"Do not even think about running." Jess demanded.
Ricky ignored Jess and instead glanced at her stab proof vest protected stomach. "Tell me officer, are you just fat? Or are you and your lovely Sergeant expecting a beautiful bouncing baby? Because if you're pregnant, you should know that we do a roaring trade in pregnant women." he grinned evilly.
"You shut your mouth Cheung or I'll do it for you!" Callum growled. Ricky laughed and descended a step towards Jess. She held her ground, blocking his exit.
"You might want to move out of the way, officer. If I were to suddenly...fall...I might accidentally take you with me, harming not only yourself, but also that lovely unborn baby of yours." Ricky said in a low threatening voice.
"Jess, get down behind me." Callum ordered Jess. She kept her eyes on Cheung, slowly stepping back while still resolutely blocking Cheung. "PC Stone. Now!" Jess glanced behind her at Callum and almost flinched at the anger in his eyes; anger and fear for his wife, his worries from last night coming true.
She begrudgingly moved quicker, and turned slowly ready to descend the stairs and settle behind him. But as she was about to take a step down, Ricky lunged at her, knocking her so that she lost her footing, missing a step. Her body lurched to the side, her arm hitting the wall and stopping her stomach from slamming into it, and before she fell further, Callum wrapped his arms around her, catching her and steadying her. As soon as she assured both him and herself that she was fine, their baby was fine, Callum took the stairs two at a time, gunning for Ricky Cheung.
"Sierra Oscar 134 to all units, Sergeant Stone is pursuing the target, headed for the second floor currently. Target wearing black silk boxers, currently unarmed." Jess fired into her radio, following her husband up after Cheung.
Ricky had nearly reached the fire exit on the third floor that would lead to his freedom when Callum grabbed him round the neck. He yanked him hard, causing the man to stumble backwards and fall flat onto his back. Callum saw red as he grabbed Cheung by the upper arm, pulling him up towards his fist, feeling an immense satisfaction as Cheung's nose gave way under his fist. He raised his fist again and paused, saying "This is for threatening my wife, bastard." His fist slammed into the man's jaw. "And this is for trying to hurt my baby." Callum swung again, only this time, Cheung blocked him, and in the blink of an eye, Cheung had rolled out from under Callum and gained the upper hand.
He smirked at Callum before quickly rising to his feet, his dark eyes glinting cruelly as he swung a foot at Callum's chest. Callum moved too late and was rendered immediately breathless when Cheungs foot hit his chest. Cheung's foot then connected with Callum's face, the sound of a bone crunching loud in the small space. Cheung didn't hear the footsteps coming up the stairs until Jess swung her asp at his arm, knocking him off balance into the wall and causing him to yelp in pain. She moved out of the way of the open doorway and towards Callum, urging her colleagues to hurry.
The running of many pissed off and concerned officers sounded like thunder as their heavy boots collided with the bare wooden stairs. Smithy was through the door first, closely followed by Mickey and Nate. The three men tackled Cheung to the floor and cuffed him. Once he was secured, they led him back downstairs to the van.
Jess immediately got down on the floor next to Callum, rolling him onto his side to stop the blood dripping from his nose going into his mouth. He was conscious but badly winded and badly bruised. Stevie immediately called for an ambulance, watching with a feeling of guilt as Jess stroked back Callum's hair and told him that everything would be alright.