A Town Like Alex

Disclaimer: I'm using some characters from the BBC's Ashes to Ashes for fun. I don't own them and didn't invent them. I can assure you if I did I would've treated them much better than their actual creators.

Author's Note: So, yeah, rain delayed play again. And by rain I mean the horrendous series three and ending, which drowned my muse so thoroughly, I was certain that resuscitation was futile. As it has been so long, I'm too ashamed to send this for any beta-ing so it's probably littered with typos and I apologise in advance for that. Not only are typos lurking where I can't see them, I'm certain this has suffered from the lack of my editor's trusty blue pencil. I hope it doesn't detract from a chapter that's been well over two years in the making. Thank you so much for all your reviews and words of encouragement, which made me not throw the towel in. I will finish this for you. I promise. And if you'd drop me a little review to let me know you're still reading, I'll treasure it.

Alex gasped in surprise. "What? Alex Court… Magic Roundabout… where?"

"Look, Bolly," said Gene, his finger jabbing a point on the map. "It's a place called Alex Court and only a bit further down the road is this crazy roundabout, the one that's known as the Magic Roundabout."

Alex followed his finger in disbelief, her mouth slightly open with surprise. "Oh my God - it's here!"

Gene nodded and squeezed her shoulder. "Hemel Hempstead. Can't bloody believe it."

The rest of CID crowded around the board to see for themselves. "True enough, Boss," said Chris, roughly estimating the distance on the map with his finger. "There's an Alex Court just off Alexandra Road here and it's about a mile away from this magic roundabout place."

Alex reached for the cryptic note from Jackie and a small frown creased her forehead as she concentrated.

Mid land in the glade beneath the magic roundabout. Bring the package to Alex Court where Dougal is and he'll sort it. No, Alex Court is central. Yes, everything moves through a most reliable network thanks to our man inside.

Gene watched her checking things against the map; it was as if she was oblivious to the noise and chatter from the other people crowded around board. "What is it, Bolls?"

She double-checked the note again. "It really is here, Gene, all of it."

He saw the enthusiasm in her eyes and clapped his hands together to shush the clamour in the room. "Oi, button it, you lot! Go on, Bolly."

There was instant silence as she began. "Okay, remember what Jackie told us - she was eavesdropping a telephone call but she couldn't hear too clearly. Now, if the person was talking about Hemel Hempstead, then here's the Magic Roundabout…" She pointed it out on the map. "And Alex Court is here then we've also got Midland Road here. 'Mid land' isn't two words, it's one, see?" There were expectant nods from the rest of CID as they sensed she wasn't finished.

She took a deep breath and continued. "Look at the Magic Roundabout again. What do you see?"

Gene, examining the map, saw a blue squiggly line running through the roundabout from approximately north to south. "Is that a river?"

Alex smiled at him. "It is. And look at the name here – higher upstream – it's called the Gade River. Jackie didn't hear glade, she heard Gade and it flows right through this roundabout. It's got to be in culverts underneath the road too."

"Hang on a minute." Gene paced across the office, processing what she had said. He said nothing for a few minutes, all eyes following him as he walked to and fro, like a silent one-man tennis match. "Gade instead of Glade?"

"An easy mistake to make especially as Jackie couldn't hear properly," she said, certain that this was a breakthrough. "It gives us everything we're looking for plus one last thing - remember Jackie said that she took an interest in all of this because she thought she heard her surname? Queensway is at top of Alexandra Road and Midland Road is at the bottom."

Ray gave a low whistle of appreciation as he too looked at the map. "Oh, that is well clever, that is, Boss. It's got to be it!"

"I think so, Ray. We can read Jackie's note differently if we assume that I'm right about all of this. Think about the fact that she couldn't hear too clearly." She cleared her throat and began. "'Off Midland Road. In the Gade beneath the Magic Roundabout. Bring the package to Alex Court, where Dougal is, and he'll sort it. No, Alex Court is central. Yes, everything moves through a most reliable network thanks to our man inside.'"

"It makes sense," said Capplan and he traced the route from Alex Court, down Midland Road and straight to the Magic Roundabout. "Something dodgy is going on and they're hiding whatever they need to hide under the road in a culvert. Nobody would ever look in there – Christ, you couldn't pay me enough to crawl into it."

"I know!" Alex nodded enthusiastically and then the others started pouring over the map again to see if there was anything else that could be linked to Jackie's note. She was about to join in when her eye caught the green sticker, placed directly over their house. All of a sudden it struck her; was she so certain about the Hemel Hempstead link that she was willing to stake their lives on it? She saw that Gene hadn't moved from where he was sitting on Chris's desk and as soon as she looked at him, she knew he was thinking the same thing. She felt her burst of elation and enthusiasm drain away – were they safe? Her fingernail absently picked at the green sticker, almost as if she was trying to remove the threat by removing the little dot.

Gene noticed her demeanour changing and he also knew what was wrong. However, he wasn't the only one to notice and just as Gene got to his feet, Capplan beat him to it. Gene watched as the other man unobtrusively moved Alex's hand away from the board.

"Okay, everyone, listen," he said loudly and people settled down again. "Given how quite a lot of the puzzle appears to fit in with Hemel Hempstead, I don't believe that this 'Alex Court' thing is anything to do with our Alex whatsoever. But I still think we should check out Alexandra Court near the house in Little Venice, just to be on the safe side. It'll be unobtrusive and nobody will be any the wiser. Something like 'tracing an electrical fault'. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Gene moved closer to Alex. "You reckon we're in the clear, then?"

Capplan knew what was happening. Right now, Gene wasn't his Superintendent and Alex wasn't his DI. Before him were two people who had been through a lot and who had been very worried about a perceived threat. They needed reassurance and, most of all, they needed privacy to digest the news.

Capplan stood up. "I think so but I'd still like to have the area checked out. Alex, you were going for a cuppa a while ago so why don't you both take a break from this and let us work out something to let the lads have a snoop around Alexandra Court."

Gene rubbed at the back of his neck and he felt Alex's hand curl around his free arm. "Yeah, er… we'll…" He didn't want to go to the canteen where they'd have to sit there in full view of the gossiping gawpers of the station. Or Luigi's where the little Italian would bombard them with questions and samples of pasta.

Shaz helped them out. "I'll get you some tea and sandwiches and bring them up to your office, Guv."

Alex smiled at her in grateful thanks and they both left CID, feeling excited but uncertain at the same time. Soon, Gene closed the door to his office behind him and leaned against it with a sigh. "Okay, love?"

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know. Is that it? Some sort of operation running out of Hemel Hempstead and it's got nothing to do with me?" She turned and looked out the window. There were times when she wished they could have a simple, normal life with nothing to worry about except slugs in the flowerbeds. She gave a hollow laugh – knowing their luck, the only slugs in their flowerbeds would be shotgun slugs.

He stood behind her and slid his arms around her waist. "We'll be all right, Bolls," he whispered as he rested his head against hers. Alex turned in his arms and leaned into his hug.

"You give the best hugs."

He gave a low rumble in agreement. "You're not so bad at this hugging business yourself," he said, his voice raspy and low. She squeezed him even tighter and Gene groaned. "Christ, but you're a strong bird."

"Want me to pick you up and give you a cuddle?"

"Go on then." His eyes were glittering slits as he looked along his nose at her.

Alex, deciding she'd probably need a functioning back for the rest of her life, didn't heft 16 stone of Gene Hunt into her arms. Instead, she chuckled and relaxed her grip. "Maybe not today." She pressed a kiss against his lips. "Promise me something?"

"Anything," he replied without hesitation.

"Promise me that when this case is done, both of us are taking some badly needed leave."

He nodded in agreement. "I promise – no matter what's going on when this case closes, we're out of here for at least a month. You too?"

"Definitely. Promise." She kissed him again. "Thank you."

He hummed his thanks as he returned her kiss. They would get through this – he was certain of that.

All too soon, she smoothed his hair back into place and reluctantly pulled away from him. "We've still got all those files from Strangeways to look through. I couldn't leave them here and wait for yet another day."

He knew she was right and no matter how much he wanted to take her home, they still had a job to do. "No, we can't," he agreed. "And I wish we'd looked harder for an Alex Court as soon as Jackie came to me. The Magic Roundabout – I don't know why I never thought of that bloody roundabout. But you… you've given us a way in on this case, Bolls. We've finally got something concrete." He squeezed her hand in admiration and pride. "Clever clogs."

"Well, it was a team effort and someone would've made the link eventually. I only-"

"Yes, someone might have made the link," he interrupted. "But you actually did it and I suspect you're not finished with it all yet. This is your case, Alex – it's a career maker. You'll see."

"Another DCI Hunt?" she said, her eyes twinkling at him.

"I'll even teach you how to do a bruise-free groin slap."

She laughed softly and entwined her fingers with his. "Thanks for the offer but I think I'll leave all groin slapping to the specialist."

He stood back from her for a moment before framing her face with his hands. He looked at her so steadily that Alex felt a blush rising as she watched his eyes flick from her lips and back up again.

"Gene-"

"Shush." He pressed a thumb lightly to her lips before kissing her softly. Then he pulled out his chair and then tugged her down onto his lap before wrapping his arms around her again.

She kissed the top of his head and held him against her. There were moments like this when he caught her completely off-guard. They were few and far between but they happened; rare moments when he let all his defences down. "You really going to change your name after we're married?"

"Of course," she replied. "I can't keep 'Drake'. It's my ex-husband's name so it'd be weird."

"I suppose," he agreed. "But it'll be weird not bellowing Drake from the office door."

"Oh, I think you'll manage, Hunt."

"Hope so, Hunt. Christ – it's going to get mighty confusing around here."

She laughed into his hair and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Just as she was about to speak when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in, Granger!" he called, knowing it was Shaz with her distinctive 'tea's-ready' knock. Alex released him and moved to stand but he held her where she was.

"Here you go, Guv. A few sandwiches and I got your favourite biscuits too, Boss." She smiled when she caught a very rare sight of her two superior officers having a cuddle. "Can I get either of you anything else?"

"No, thank you, Shaz." Alex gave the young woman warm smile. "What would we do without you?"

"It's all right, Boss." Shaz left the tray on the table and with a final smile she left them to it.

Gene gave her a wink as she left; she'd go far, Shaz would. She was prepared to do the grunt work that would give her the edge over most of her colleagues. He was proud of her too and looked forward to seeing which direction she'd choose in her career.

With a contented sigh, he released Alex and had a glance through the sandwiches. "Excellent," he said as Shaz knew him well. "Not a bit of coleslaw in sight. And there's some rabbit foot in these sandwiches for you."

Alex leaned against the table, folded her arms and gave him a curious look. "What was that?"

"Hmm?" He frowned when he found some veggie green thing lurking under some ham.

"That – just before Shaz came in. Normally you'd never let anyone see us even-"

He raised his eyebrows and flicked the bit of gherkin from the ham sandwich into the bin. "It was only Shaz – she's seen us together when you were at the Yard. Anyway, I don't give a flying fart what people think anymore."

"No?"

"No." He raised his eyebrows at her. "You going to stand there grinning or help me demolish this lot? I'm starving, me."

"Me too." She took one of the more comfortable chairs beside him at the meeting table and tucked in. They attacked the sandwiches with relish, with Gene grumping every so often if there was gherkin. He was quite adept at flicking it away too. Another bit was removed and it landed in the bin with a ping.

"I don't what you have against gherkins, Gene. They're delicious." She took another mouthful and crunched through the gherkin's delicious bitterness.

"I'm not eating anything that looks like an infected cock."

She paused and then swallowed with difficulty. "And now, neither will I, thanks very much."

He grinned at her and took up another sandwich. "Apart from the infected cock bits, these are delicious. Wonder where Shaz got them from?"

"The canteen, I'll bet. Used her particular brand of charm on the tea ladies and told them it was all for you."

He let his eyes twinkle at her.

"Stop it, you," she replied. "Those blue eyes are wasted on me."

"I don't know about that, Bolly. I've plenty of evidence to the contrary."

"Huh!" She took a gulp of tea and sneaked a pink wafer.

"Oi! Bollykecks – those are mine." He gave a good-natured grab to recover his treasure.

She stuffed the entire biscuit into her mouth and then coughed spectacularly as the dry crumbs went with her breath. Pink crumbs sprayed everywhere as she spluttered. "Sod… you!" she gasped as Gene started laughing.

He gave her a few firm thumps on the back and handed her some milk. "Down the hatch, Bolls."

With a few more coughs, she managed to drink the milk and her coughing subsided. Gene was still laughing quietly and the sight of his genuine amusement made her smile. She reached out and caught his hand in hers, her shining eyes telling him everything.

"I know, love," he said and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. Then, after they'd finished off all the biscuits and tea, he reluctantly ended their impromptu lunch. Crossing to the other side of the room, he heaved a box up on to his desk. "Right, Drake, let's get this over with."

"What are we looking for?" she asked, somewhat innocently, as she peered around his arm.

He clicked his tongue at her. "Honestly, Bolly, you are an Inspector, right? We are looking for stuff."

"Oh, stuff. Right. Gotcha." She gave him a friendly shove and took up a sheaf of paper that turned out to be a copy of the visitor's book. Everyone who came in to see O'Brien was recorded under date and time. "This won't take long." She gave the list a cursory flick over.

Gene took the papers from her hands. "I'll do that as I'll know if any of the local scrotes called in to visit their good ol' mate, Paddy. I caught some familiar looking names when I scanned through it earlier. Here – you check the records of his letters and we'll compare notes." He dragged a chair around the desk so they could work side-by-side.

Alex's task was much easier as it appeared that O'Brien wrote only to his ex-wife, mother and brother and they were the only ones who wrote to him. There was nothing she could help Gene with so she sat and watched him going through page after page, checking O'Brien's visitors off against the main prison logbook. He was engrossed in whatever it was he was looking for so she kept silent and let him concentrate.

Less than five minutes later, he sat back and suddenly dropped the papers to the desk with a bang as his fist crashed down on them.

Alex was startled. "Wha-" His finger jabbed at a name on the visitor's book and her eyes widened. "David Crane?"

"What do you make of that?"

She was flabbergasted. "I… I… it's not possible."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course it's not possible, you mare. Crane hasn't left London in weeks."

"How do you kno-" she paused. "You're watching him." It wasn't a question, as she knew by him that it was true.

Gene said nothing.

"But why!" Alex was stunned. "Gene, I don't know what you have against him but David is a loyal member of the team."

He huffed. "His name has just showed up, three times, on a visitor's book for Patrick O'Brien. See? Here, here and… here." He flicked through the pages and pointed each entry out to her.

"But you've just said it can't be him. What the hell is going on here?"

He glowered at her. "Alex, if you'd get over your indignation for a second and think like a copper, that would be really useful. Think! Why would Crane's name be here?"

"Only if he put it there," she replied, somewhat sourly. She didn't like it when he barked at her in that manner.

"Okay, but we know for a fact that he didn't put it there. So now what?"

"So… someone else did it?" Her voice was hopeful.

"Correct. There – that wasn't so hard, was it?"

She frowned. "Don't patronise me. I just saw a friend's name associated with this mess, not to mention the fact that you put a tail on him, so excuse me for being a bit shocked."

Gene was about to bark a sharp reply but he kept himself in check. She was right. After all, thinking was what Alex did best, so it was a bit rich for him to be so heavy-handed with her. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. She met his eye and he knew he was forgiven; she really was too good to him.

"I've never particularly warmed to Crane, you know that, Bolls. I can't say why – just a gut instinct kind of thing and it's probably because he's ex-Branch. They always snoop and spy and I have no time for that kind of copper at all. But I know this; I watch my back and I watch my team and Crane hasn't been near Patrick O'Brien since the day you both interviewed him. Someone is using his name as a cover."

Alex nodded at his words. "And that someone must know that David had dealings with O'Brien too. Why else would they use his name?"

"Exactly. After all, if the arresting officer wants to see someone who's on remand, who'd care?"

Alex shivered involuntarily. "What have we stepped in here? What was so bad that O'Brien killed himself over it? And why did he think you were involved?"

Gene shook his head. "I don't know but it's something rotten, that's for sure. Everything about this stinks to high heaven and I don't like it – not one bit." He pursed his lips. "Later, see if you can get your tea with Crane. He's had a few days off lately and I'd like to know exactly what he's been up to, as I can't find out. He keeps himself to himself when he wants to." He frowned and checked his watch. "Christ, I've got a long and boring meeting with the Chief Super and your old buddies from the Sweeney in ten minutes."

"I don't like this cloak and dagger stuff with David, Gene. It doesn't feel right to me."

He gave her a shrug. "It's not up for discussion, Bolls. Put the whammy on Crane and see what he coughs up, if anything at all. Give him a good shake and see what falls out of his pockets. Do it this evening and report back to Andy Capp."

Alex gave him an incredulous look. "Capplan knows about this?"

"He's your DCI; of course he knows. He arranged for the tail on Crane." Gene felt the old familiar tension building and it annoyed him. Not now – he didn't want this same bloody argument with her again. Hadn't they sorted this out?

Alex was about to argue the point him when she took a breath. Capplan was her DCI and Gene was her Super. This was one of the times where he organised things without her input; she didn't like it and wished it was otherwise but they were the ones who chose to have a personal and professional relationship. It was hard for her to differentiate the two but… she had to do as he asked. He'd done her the favour of asking himself instead of passing it on to Capplan and he'd told her that he had eyes and ears on Crane. He was making an effort and trusting her.

She got to her feet and slid an arm around his shoulders. "Okay. Well, see you later then, Guv." She leaned down and kissed him tenderly. "Thanks to your meeting, I'll probably be home before you, so if you can have your dinner here, I won't have to pretend that I've cooked and you won't have to pretend that you liked it."

"Wow. It really is my lucky day." He smiled up at her. "Do you mean my tea or…"

Alex rolled her eyes at their familiar teasing over 'posh versus northern' and smiled. "Tea or dinner. Whichever meal gives you the most food for the day."

"Gotcha." His hands moved around her waist and he looked up at her with sincerity. "Are we okay?"

"Yes." She bent and kissed him again. "We're okay, love. See you at home."

He still didn't let her go. "And you, Bolls? I mean… I know we haven't had the Alexandra Court near the house checked out yet but…"

She knew what he was trying to say. "I'm okay too. The more I think about it, the more I'm sure that this whole Alex Court thing is not about me, so don't worry any more. I'm fine and all I want is you home this evening."

He smiled at her and gave her waist a squeeze. "Well, good." He took a deep breath. "Sorry I snapped at you earlier."

She kissed his head lightly. "Forgiven and forgotten, sweetheart."

He cleared his throat and winked at her. "Right, clever clogs, off you go and I'll see you later."

"I'll be waiting." She gave him a small wave as she left the office.

He knew she'd follow up with Crane as he'd asked and he was relieved that she hadn't blown up at him. Although, in fairness to her, Alex always needed to know the whole picture and if she suspected that she wasn't told something, she wouldn't let it go. It's what made her such a good copper. It had to be hard for her to put aside her inquisitive nature and accept that he knew things and made decisions without her input. It wasn't how they worked together before and it certainly wasn't how their private relationship worked. He was the one who had most control at work and that had to be difficult for her. They worked best as partners and he didn't like being so removed from the action in CID. All the same, the fact that they didn't work together as closely as they had done also meant the few hours apart sometimes did them the world of good. He looked forward to going home to her or the times when she came home to him. He smiled again when he thought of her; Bolly was nobody's inferior and she was, without question, the better half of him. He would see to it that she had her recognition from her time with The Sweeney. It was the least that she deserved and this boring tosspot of a Chief Super owed her one.

xXxXxXx

Meanwhile, Alex went back to CID with a confused head and heart. On one hand, she was delighted with the breakthrough over the note and the happy lunch she had just shared with Gene. But the dark cloud of David Crane's possible betrayal hung over her and she wasn't looking forward to "putting the whammy" on him. So, with a supreme effort, she joined in with the enthusiasm of her colleagues and took their reassurances that there was nothing untoward with the Alexandra Court near her home with Gene. When Crane offered to head up the impromptu search of the said apartment complex, Capplan caught her eye and managed to deflect the offer onto Ray instead. Obviously, as Gene didn't trust Crane, it was best to keep him away from anything important for now. So, difficult as it was for her, she helped in concocting a good cover story about an electrical fault, and waved Ray and the crew off, leaving herself, Shaz and Crane in CID.

"You sure that Ray will do thorough job?" asked David, having the sense to keep his concerns to himself until CID was empty apart from Shaz. Even Capplan went with the troops to keep an eye on things; more than happy to go out with his team than go to the meeting which Gene was dreading. Shaz was busy sorting out files and wasn't paying any attention to the muted conversation of her DIs.

"I have no doubt about it," she replied with confidence. "Ray is still in Gene's black books over the mess up with Tricky Dick's file. You'll see – this will be the most thorough job he's ever done. We couldn't have a better man on it right now."

"Well, good, then." David smiled broadly at her and was still smiling when he retook his seat at his desk.

Alex watched him out of the corner of her eye. Now that she was looking for it, sure enough, there was a little grin on Crane's face that was almost permanent. She listened to his phone calls – all the usual records and administration stuff – and watched him as he whistled his way around CID. After a few hours of this, and clearing out her entire in-tray, she had enough.

"I'm hungry, David. What do you say we go for dinner until everyone gets back? I could do with the distraction."

Crane readily agreed, and after phoning his wife to say he'd be home late, he went with her up to the canteen where a noisy dinner queue had already formed. With half of plod battling for the choicest cuts from the roast-of-the-day, Alex thought the place sounded like feeding time at the zoo. She hated it but… Gene had asked and she wanted this boil lanced as delicately as possible. Time to put things in motion, so she took a steadying breath and began.

"Okay – out with it. You've been grinning all day, David. What's up?" She smiled affably at him as they waited in the queue.

"I'm just glad that we got some sort of breakthrough in the case," he replied as he picked up a small carton of milk and paid an inordinate amount of attention to yoghurt versus cheesecake.

She said nothing further and waited until they'd selected a table. Plonking her tray opposite him, she sat down and kept looking at him until he met her eye.

"Give over, Alex."

"What's going on?" Inwardly she hoped that it was something mundane. David was too sincere, too dedicated – he just couldn't be corrupt.

He snorted and ate a large forkful of spaghetti bolognaise.

Alex arched an eyebrow, picked at a leaf of lettuce and finally, Crane caved.

"Jesus… okay, but keep it to yourself, yeah? And the Guv, I suppose."

"Not a word," she said, relieved that whatever it was, Gene could be told. That had to be good. Right?

"Sarah's pregnant."

She did a double take, as this was the last thing she expected. "What? Really?"

He nodded. "Really. She's just over three and a half months."

"That's fantastic news," Alex said with a broad smile of delight and relief. "And she's well? Everything is okay?"

"She had a rocky few days over the past while but she's okay now. Poor thing – the morning sickness wiped her completely. You know when I took a few days off?"

Alex nodded.

"I tried to help with the boys and tidy the house and stuff but I think she just wanted her Mum. She was miserable, Alex and I so wanted to tell you but she made me promise not to breath a word."

"I'd have understood – she should've said-"

David swallowed. "She had a miscarriage last year. We didn't want-"

She put her hand on his. "Say no more. She really is okay now, though?"

"She really is. The doctors have been watching her like a hawk and they're more than satisfied. She's going for her another scan on Friday. Three kids, Alex… how'd I get to be this lucky?"

"We take whatever luck comes our way," she replied with a smile. "You do look happy, David."

"I'm bloody thrilled." He could hardly keep the smile off his face now that his secret was out. "We both are. It's exactly what we'd hoped for and the boys are going to love having a baby brother or sister to play with. All going well. Everything is going well actually."

"Everything?" She kept her tone light and interested.

"Yeah – Alex… you've no idea what it means to me to be part of a team like this. I've never had it before. I hated working with Branch and Gene gave me a way out. Do you think anyone on my team in Branch gave a damn about me or Sarah or the boys?" He laughed mirthlessly. "We weren't a team – everyone was looking out for the next promotion or the next big arrest and I thought I'd never get out of there."

"I'm glad that you're happy, David. Truly." She gave him a genuine smile because she had a good feeling that there nothing untoward about his behaviour. They chatted for ages about the new baby, and, through careful questioning, Alex was convinced there was nothing going on in David's life other than what she already knew; the guy just didn't have it in him to be anything other than the decent man she knew he was. If someone was leaking information from Fenchurch, or if someone was on the make, then it wasn't David Crane. However, the real question was whether Gene would trust her on this one or not.

They manned the fort until the noisy troops returned from their search of Alexandra Court. Alex realised that this was the part she hated most about policing. Waiting. They had to do a lot of waiting and it was something she was always rubbish at. Stakeouts that were fruitless, waiting for others to arrest a suspect, waiting for results from tests or requests, waiting to hear news; it drove her nuts and she usually found something to do to occupy her time. But CID was as neat as a new pin, Gene wasn't around and all she could find was the dreaded review of arrest journals. She checked her watch again for the umpteenth time and glared at it when it was only 5:32. It had been 5:29 when she checked ages ago. Then, in the distance, she heard doors slamming and voices and soon the team piled into CID. She was on her feet, white-faced and anxious. "Well?"

"Nothing, Boss. All clear," said Ray, giving her a clap on the back. "It's just a posh apartment complex, well run and it's got nothing to hide. We checked every inch of the place and all is in order. The building caretaker let us look everywhere, even into apartments where nobody was at home."

She closed her eyes in relief. "Thank God."

Capplan extracted a large camera from his carry-all and set about taking the film out of it. "We photographed everything too, just to be on the safe side, but there's nothing to worry about, Alex. That name was a coincidence and we need to focus our efforts on Hemel. Can I've a quick word?" He looked at Alex and pointed towards his office.

He took a seat behind the desk that even after all this time, it still looked wrong to her. That was Gene's place.

He caught her sad look. "It checked out, Alex. There's nothing for you to worry about with that Alexandra Court. Your home is safe and just to be on the doubly safe side, I've arranged for the occasional security detail to keep an eye on your place."

"Thanks, Guv," she replied, trying to brighten up. "Will the budget allow for it?"

"Where the safety of a Superintendent and Detective Inspector are concerned, we'll find a way. But try and put it behind you and focus on the case in hand. I know it's a lot to ask but-"

"I can focus, Guv. Gene and I have been through worse."

Capplan nodded. "I'm well aware of that. Problem is, there's only so much you can take. If it's getting too much, Alex, you have to talk to me."

"But Gene-"

"Is way too close to this one," he interrupted. "You both are. And you both badly need to get away from here for a break."

"As soon as this case is closed, we're going."

Capplan didn't spell out the obvious – sometimes cases took years to close. Instead, he just nodded and went along with her. "Anyway, you have a wedding coming up, don't you? You need a honeymoon with a wedding."

Alex smiled. "Just don't mention the word 'honeymoon' to Gene. A 'holiday' is about as much as he could stomach."

"Nonsense," scoffed Capplan. "For once in his life, he doesn't mind the teasing about being loved-up."

"You don't!" Alex laughed as this was the first she had heard of it.

"Too bloody right I do. That is, if I think I can get away with it. Always works if he's got the same dopey smile on his face that I see on yours every so often."

Alex blushed and waved a hand at him.

"You'll both be okay, Alex," Capplan continued. "Just remember that you've got a team behind you both – you don't need to do it all yourselves."

"Thanks, Guv," she said, genuinely touched by his concern.

"Anyway, did Gene fill you in on Crane? And what we want you to do?"

She nodded. "I've spoken with Crane, Guv. There's nothing there - David's a good man. All that's been bothering him lately is his wife's pregnancy which he doesn't want spread abroad just yet."

"Okay, right," he clapped his hands together and rubbed them. "I could use a cuppa, so wait here and we'll go through everything you have to tell me. You want one?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks. If I have any more caffeine today I'll be bouncing off the walls all night."

Capplan chuckled and left the office to get his tea and biscuits. Another difference from Gene. Alex sighed as she realised that she missed working him more than she had realised; now more than ever. Having Gene around was reassuring – he was the centre of the team and it was difficult to be here, in his stomping ground, without the man himself. Even if he was just a few floors above her. On the other hand, the fact that they were apart for most of the day did wonders for their reunions in the evenings. She was already lost in happy thoughts when Capplan interrupted her.

"And the dopey smile returns," he quipped as he retook his seat.

Alex couldn't help it. "I'm just… happy."

"I can see that," he said with a grin. "Righto – what've you got for me on Crane? And here - a few biccies for you."

As she'd already scoffed more than her fair share of biscuits earlier, Alex knew she should say no. But her doubts were fleeting and around mouthfuls of more chocolate bourbons and a few custard creams, she filled him in on everything she knew about Crane. It was a good and useful session and when she left, she felt relieved that he believed her and also that he didn't share Gene's suspicions. It made things somewhat better, knowing that they were so close to making a breakthrough and that they didn't have the worry of one of their own betraying them. Catching sight of the clock, she realised it was later than she thought so, with one last look over the white boards, she gathered her things and left.

xXxXxXx

"Evening, love." Two hours later, Gene walked out to the patio and dropped a kiss on her head.

"Hi!" She turned her face up to him for another kiss which he readily bestowed.

He flopped onto his sun-lounger beside her with a contented groan and took a sip from the glass of wine she had waiting. "At last – thought I'd never get home."

"Long meeting?"

He looked pained. "It gave a whole new meaning to the word 'long'. I thought I was going to be stuck in that poxy room forever. There's only so much I can take before I start fantasising about slamming their heads into the table. With considerable and repeated force until they shut the hell up."

She chuckled at the grim image and reached out to stroke his stubbly cheek. "Poor darling."

He gave her a slit-eyed look. "What do you want, Drake?" He heaved her over onto his lap. "Another cuddle?"

"Maybe," she said, smiling down at him before dropping a soft kiss on his lips.

He grunted and slid a hand under her cotton blouse, feeling soft, warm skin.

She kissed him again and stroked his hair back, letting her fingers trail lightly over his scalp each time. He hummed in contentment and his eyes closed as her fingers continued to work their magic. All too soon, her caresses stopped.

"Mmm. Keep doing that." His eyes were still closed and he pouted, waiting for another expected soft kiss.

Instead, Alex grabbed him and gave him a loud smacker.

"You dirty mare." He laughed and squeezed her tight before releasing her.

Alex retook her own seat and took another sip of her wine.

Gene watched her for a moment and then said, "That was good news about Alexandra Court and what you discussed with Crane earlier. You're convinced that he's the straight-laced swot he always was?" He had evidently been speaking to Capplan.

"Yes. He's totally devoted to his wife, family and his job. If that makes him a straight-laced swot, then that's what he is, in addition to being a doting dad."

"Just because a chap is all excited about his missus having another sprog doesn't mean he's not a bent copper, Bo-"

"I know that." Her reply was somewhat icy. "I don't have 'baby-blinkers' on, Gene. I see the man for what he is and I'm telling you, he's one of the good guys. I work with him every day, I see what he sees, and I know what he knows. There's nothing there. And Capplan agrees with me too."

Gene nodded slowly and decided that maybe, just maybe, she had a point. After all, if he was in CID every day, he'd be in a better position to judge Crane. As it was, he had to rely on the judgement of others and he trusted Alex's judgement above anyone else. "Okay, Bolls. Good job – I'm glad it's not him. Now all we need to do is figure out why his name was used in the prison's log book."

"So you trust me on this?" She gave him a steady look, wanting nothing but his honesty.

He nodded. "Yes. I do."

"Good." She smiled at him, pleased that he accepted her judgement. "They're really happy, you know? About the baby, I mean."

He gave a non-committal hum. "Well, why wouldn't they be? It's good news. Anyway – you're satisfied about Alexandra Court too? Nothing untoward in it?"

She nodded. "Ray and the lads did a very through job. Andy even photographed everywhere, just to be extra safe but it really is just one of those unfortunate coincidences."

"I think so too," he agreed. "London is full of Alexandra Roads and what-have-yous. Just because there happens to be something similar nearby doesn't mean anything. Too much points to Hemel for it to be otherwise. Stupid sodding Magic bloody Roundabout."

Alex laughed at his grumpiness and he gave her a wink as he took the sports pages from her newspaper and started reading. His attention wandered more than once and he found himself thinking about something else she'd said. 'Baby-blinkers'. It was getting too dark to read properly so he watched her out of the corner of his eye and, now that he was alert to it, he could see the thoughtful look on her face as she stared at the dregs of wine in her glass as if it held the secrets to the universe. He knew that far-away look and what, or more specifically who, she was thinking about. After surreptitiously watching her for about five minutes, he folded up the paper. "Alex?"

She raised her head and smiled at him but he could see it didn't quite take the sadness from her eyes. He held out a hand to her and she slid her fingers into his. He said nothing – there was no need. They sat in companionable silence and Gene's thumb stroked across her knuckles as they watched the garden darken and the neighbour's cat play with some leaves on the lawn. He didn't mention the word 'baby' or 'pregnant' because he knew she was thinking of Molly. He knew that even though she hid it very well, Alex was heartbroken over her loss but he also knew that his support helped her. Support didn't mean crying buckets of tears with her – it meant holding her hand in their garden and watching that dumb moggy almost dislocate himself over a few leaves. It meant recognising that she was grieving and allowing her the space and time to come to terms with her life now. Most of all, it meant staying put and not hiding his discomfort behind pints and a whisky chaser in the pub. If he was going to be of any help to her at all, then this is what he had to do. But it was more than that – he wanted to do it. He wanted to be the man she turned to and he knew that she'd do the same for him. Even though he knew she was melancholy, he liked the feel of her hand in his and sitting there in the twilight with her, he felt peaceful. Not only that but he couldn't help imagining what it'd be like if they had a little nipper of their own. Maybe the garden would have a swing and there'd be a doll or football lying forgotten on the lawn… He sighed and looked at Alex again. She'd be a wonderful mother and would be well able for any little tyke filled to the brim with Gene Genie genes. He chuckled to himself.

"What?" She looked over at him.

He squeezed her hand and smiled. "Nothing – just thinking about that meeting earlier and when I wondered if I'd ever get out of there so I could shag you again."

She smiled. "You were thinking about shagging me in the meeting?"

He pretended to deliberately misunderstand. "Shagging you in the meeting? Do you want the Chief Super to have a heart attack right – OW!" Alex had given his chest a light slap.

"You've got sex-on-the-brain."

"Damn right I do, Frilly Knickers," he said, unashamed as he hauled her to her feet and tugged her blouse free from her skirt.

Alex moaned as his hands ran lightly up and down her back. "Mmmm. Time for… oh god that's good… time for bed."

xXxXxXx

Later that night, Alex tucked her face under his hand. She loved his hands; large enough to cup her cheek and reach around her head. She turned her face into his palm and breathed deeply, catching a faint whiff of shaving foam. He was a good, kind man who was far more patient and caring than she could ever have imagined. Here, in the darkness of their room and coziness of their bed, she could let her carefully constructed outer persona fall and just be herself with him. Gene would understand.

"Don't be upset, love," he whispered.

She braved a smile for him and kissed his palm. "Just so you know, I am happy. Wonderfully happy, love."

"You miss Molly. That's allowed, you know." His thumb wiped a tear from her cheek.

Alex didn't say anything for a while. "Why did it have to be this way, Gene? For my Mum and Dad… Molly… why me? Why my family?"

He continued to stroke her cheek and looked into her lovely tear-filled eyes. "Dunno. Bad things happen to good people, sweetheart. It's the way things are, shitty and all as it is."

"And you, Mr Hunt," she said, as she slid her fingers into the hair at his nape. "You get to pick up the pieces of lost and broken coppers, right?"

He snorted. "Bollocks. I'm just me, Bolly. I run my station, I keep my streets clean and I look after my own. I try to, anyway. We had a good day, love – remember that. There's no link to you and Alexandra Court, David Crane isn't involved in this mess, and we'll figure the rest of it out. You, me and the team. We'll all be okay. And most important – you and me will be okay."

She smiled at him. "Of course we will." She kissed him lightly. "You've got a good team around you, love. We miss you in CID but we know you're still around. All of us want to be there."

"Should do, as most of them put in for it, like you, Mrs Frilly Knickers."

Her smile broadened into a fond laugh. "What is it with you and knickers?"

"I like knickers, especially all the smutty thoughts I have about yours."

"Mmmm. Me too when it comes to yours."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You're a right little perv, you are."

She slid her leg over his and scooted closer. "Takes one to know one. Anyway, I can't help it, as you're quite the handsome eyeful. When you bend down to help me pick up all the files I've dropped - well… I can't not look. It would be a waste."

"Are you telling me you've been a clumsy tart on purpose?"

"Never," she said, letting the tip of her tongue peak out between her teeth.

Gene gave a soft laugh. "And you wonder about me? Turns out, you're more than partial to a little knicker-perving yourself."

"Sorry, Gene, but there's nothing little about your knickers," she said, teasing him as her hands ran over his bum and gave him a squeeze to emphasize her point.

"I do not have a big arse!" he huffed. "Unlike some of us around here."

Alex sniggered. "Says you."

He loved to see her smile so he squeezed her affectionately. "My Bolly."

She kissed him lightly. "Thank you, love," she said against his lips. She appreciated his efforts to make her smile while still helping her to talk about Molly and not fear the sadness. "I am happy, Gene. I wouldn't change a thing about us." She curled herself against him and sighed with contentment. "I love you so much."

"I know, sweetheart." They lay in the comforting silence for some time. Gene stroked her back lightly and gave her a scratch between her shoulder blades, smiling as she wriggled in pleasure. "Alex?"

"Hmmm?"

"You'll always be Molly's mother."

Alex tightened her hold on him and her voice was small when she asked, "Will she forget about me? Will she even know how much I love her?"

"She will never forget you or the love you have for her." Gene's voice was filled with certainty. "Never."

"I won't forget her either."

"Of course you won't. Time helps you cope with it all but to be parted from a child… You never forget, Alex. You can work, drink, gamble, rage and fight but, in the end, it's always there. You can't forget."

"Do you think about Jane much?"

"No," he answered honestly. "Not much. But sometimes her memory is so real, I could almost swear I see…" He rolled over and sighed. "No, I don't think about her much."

"What do you think you see?" she encouraged softly.

He was quiet for a while before answering. "It's a stupid thing. I see the door to her bedroom and I see my hand opening it. I just knew it, Bolls. I knew it, in that split second, that she was dead. Maybe if I'd checked in on her during the night or maybe if I hadn't insisted that she get used to her own room… She was two weeks old, for fuck's sake."

"I blame myself too – over Molly," she confessed. She had no words of comfort for him because she knew only too well what the self-recrimination felt like. "She was only a little girl and she wanted to be with me on her birthday but I left her with my godfather and that was the last time… She must've wanted me, you know? Maybe she was scared and called for me and I wasn't there. I'll never be there." She took a deep breath and blinked away the tears. "You're right – this ache never goes away."

He clasped her hand in his. "No. But we help each other, Bolly – about this stuff and about other things. We… work."

Alex turned towards him and reached out to stroke her fingers through his hair again. "Yeah, we do. Like you said a long time ago, were it not for our two little girls, we'd never have fallen in love."

Gene tucked an arm under her pillow. "You and me, Partner, we make one hell of a team. We're no accident of fate. We're too good to be a ruddy accident."

Alex chuckled at his words and curled up against him. "I love you to bits," she whispered into his ear.

"I prefer all my bits where they are, thanks," he said, loving the sound and feel of her quiet laughter against him.

She continued to smooth his hair and then she kissed him again. "How did I ever not love you?"

He puffed out his chest. "Oh, you always loved me. You just didn't realise it at the time 'cause your fancy bra had cut off the blood supply to your brain."

"Dream on, Hunt. Anyway, my brains are what drew you in."

"Right, yeah, of course it was. If by 'brains' you mean 'tits'." He gave one a gentle squeeze.

"That's exactly what I meant," she said dryly, arching an eyebrow.

"God… Bolly… I love your brains," he muttered and scooted down so he could kiss her breastbone and nestle his face against her. "What a brainy girl you are."

Alex giggled at his antics. "Gene! You-"

"Shush, woman. Less talking, more thinking." Both of his hands cupped a warm handful and he growled. "Gene Hunt loves brains." He blew softly across her breasts and appreciated the reaction before dipping his head down and sucking a peaked nipple into his mouth. His hand wandered lower, fingers skimming and stroking.

Alex was instantly lost and submitted to his ministrations. Gene knew exactly where and how to touch her and he easily brought her to a shuddering, joyful climax before relenting and letting her catch her breath.

"Bloody hell," she gasped. "Oh… my god… wow…"

He smiled and curled an arm around her waist, stroking the soft skin of her lower back. "I'm ready to think some more, Ladybird. What about you? Still got your thinking cap on?"

"I'm thinking all sorts of long, hard thoughts, Shirley," she replied as she reached for him.

Gene snorted with laughter against her shoulder before giving it a playful nip. Then, reaching across her, he fumbled in his bedside drawer.

"Gene?" Alex was puzzled.

"Give me your hand," he said mysteriously as his fingers closed around his quarry.

Playing along with him, she held out her hand to him and he dropped a battered old matchbox into her palm.

Alex looked up at him with an expectant smile. "Is it-"

"Open it and see."

She sat up, slid the box open and there, wrapped in a small piece of black velvet, was her engagement ring, shining and resized to perfection. She looked up at him in wonder. "Gene – when did you get it back?"

"Two days ago. I thought it'd keep until the weekend but this seems like a good time. Try it on."

She held it out to him, along with her left hand. "You do it. Like before."

He took her hand in hers and slid the ring into place on her ring finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Oh… I love it. Love you," she whispered and leaned forwards to kiss him.

"I love you too, Alex and I always will. So much. My Bolly." He returned her kiss, softly at first but then with more urgency and purpose, groaning as their tongues tangled and her hand slid down his back.

As they made move to each other, she was certain of one thing. Nobody had ever loved her as much as he did and she would spend her life protecting and defending that love. Together, they were strong and steadfast, and that knowledge made her feel like her life was only starting.

xXxXxXx

Alex woke suddenly around 4am. Gene was so deeply asleep that he wasn't even snoring and all she could hear was his quiet, even breathing. Sometimes, when she woke, she would lie there and listen to him and she'd eventually fall back asleep. She inched closer and let her nose brush against the soft skin of his shoulder and her thumb brushed against the cool surface of her ring. She smiled into the darkness and let her mind drift as she imagined the happy life they could have together. But after half an hour, sleep still eluded her. At this point, she knew better than to try and fight it so she slipped carefully out of bed. She tucked the covers in around him and dropped a feather light kiss on his forehead.

She pulled on her robe and left the bedroom, tip-toeing her way into the study. She felt like there was something about the case that was teasing at the edges of her consciousness, hovering just out of reach, and some research might help her. When she closed her eyes, she could picture the white board in the office. There was something… What? What could it be?

She closed the study door, switched on the desk light and squinted a little in the sudden brightness. Putting on her glasses, she rummaged for her little box of index cards where she had recorded some details about the armed blags she had been investigating during her time in Scotland Yard. These notes had been her personal "aide-mémoire" that had helped her to differentiate one blag from another. Until now, they'd remained in a box in the study with the rest of her work material, or so she thought. When she opened the box she saw that Gene had also dumped old notebooks, stray bits of paper, a shoelace and a broken Magic 8 Ball in on top on them. With a triumphant smile, she located what she was looking for under the debris and set to her task. Everything important was neatly typed out on the front of each card by moaning Mona under Alex's direction; date, time, location, type, duration and police units involved. Alex remembered only too well the battle royal she had to get M…Rona to do her job properly but it was worth it in the end. Yet again, she arranged all the cards according to the time that the robberies occurred. She'd done this so often that she knew the order they should be in. With a sigh, she studied the cards closely once more. Why these times and dates and why these locations? Nothing jumped out at her or seemed odd. Fifteen minutes after each robbery, cops from various divisions in London were chasing after armed raiders that would vanish into thin air. She could track a whole chase, as one division handed over to another. Hours spent chasing ghosts though the city and beyond, sometimes even into Kent. Everyone's attention had been focused on catching the raiders before anyone else was killed.

None of this was new to her. She knew it all; times, calls, chases… no link. Then she sat back on her chair. If her suspicion was right all along, and the only link to all these robberies was that there was no link, then what if people were looking in all the wrong places? What if the robberies in London were a distraction so that nobody paid much attention to the comings and goings in North London, say around Hemel Hempstead? She already knew that none of the robberies were around that area. In fact, none of them were even in the immediate surrounding areas.

If someone left Hemel by car or a van around the times of the robberies, then where would go? Away from the fuss of a police chase, that was certain. So, by a process of elimination, she knew anyone who was up to no good in Hemel and who needed to get out of town, would head north or west.

Alex sat up straighter and looked at the road atlas again, feeling a bubble of excitement stir. Vans had been stolen in Belfast and had ended up in London and, courtesy of Tricky Dick, got a change of registration plate. Belfast was west. In fact, to be strictly accurate, it was north-west.

"Oh, no way…" she breathed as pieces clicked into place for her. She swept her index cards to one side and opened the big AA Road Atlas.

It all hinged on one question; how could a person get a van filled with stolen goods, possibly even drugs, out of the country but NOT out of the country at the same time? Northern Ireland was the perfect fencing post for stolen goods. If the vans were going to Northern Ireland, then it'd be most unlikely they would be stopped and searched at the ports. The vans had English plates on them (albeit fake ones) and wouldn't arouse suspicion, as customs and security at the ports would be too busy hassling people arriving from Northern Ireland. Hell, you didn't even need to go through customs because Northern Ireland was in the UK.

If Northern Ireland was the destination, then it was only a short hop, skip and jump until you were over the Boarder and into the Republic of Ireland. If you had the help of a "reliable network", like the hint in Jackie's note, then you'd avoid all the security checkpoints, all the listening posts and all the bombed out Border crossings. You'd know exactly where to cross the Border undetected and get into a country that had lots of little Atlantic fishing ports that were, for the most part, wholly without security or other inconveniences like customs.

Alex pulled the road atlas closer and scrutinised the ferry routes to Northern Ireland. Liverpool to Belfast, or Stranraer to Belfast or Troon to Larne. Measuring with her pencil she estimated that Hemel Hempstead to Liverpool was 200 miles, to Stranraer was 390 and to Troon was 400 miles. With traffic, she estimated it would take about six hours to reach Liverpool and maybe double it for Troon or Stranraer… small roads and lots of slow moving traffic.

She tapped the pencil against her forehead. "Hmmm. Plenty of options to allow for variation in the times of the robberies. Ferry timetables. I need them…" She reached for the Yellow Pages but then realised it was just gone six in the morning. Dammit. She was on a roll and was irritated that the rest of the world wasn't as awake as she was. Gene would love this. Maybe she should go and wake-

As if on cue, a rumpled Gene opened the door. "You alright, love?"

She smiled and peered at him over the top of her glasses. "Yeah - I think I have something here."

Scratching at the back of his head, he ambled over to her and looked at the mess of index cards, paper, phone books and maps.

"Planning a trip?"

"Seriously, I think I may be on to something here but I just-"

He yawned, stretched and looked over her notes. "Ferries to Belfast?"

Seeing he was interested, she filled him in. "Gene, I think I've figured it out. I think they're moving stuff from a location in Hemel to Northern Ireland. And here's how they do it." She took him through what she had pieced together. He had a few questions for her and shifted her out of her chair as he poured over her notes. He scrubbed at his eyes and then, reached up to pluck her glasses from where she had them perched on the top of her head.

"Gene?" She was flabbergasted as he put them on and continued reading.

"Not a bloody word, Drake. Not even a squeak." He didn't look up from her map so he didn't see her broad grin.

Alex said nothing as she sat demurely on the edge of the desk.

"Stop it," he rumbled.

"Didn't say anything, Guv."

He relented and looked up at her. "Okay – I've used them sometimes. If this here writing wasn't so tiny, then I wouldn't have to squint, would I?"

"Fine." Alex gave a small shrug but there was a still a hint of a grin around her lips.

"Bolly…" His voice held a warning note and Alex's smile got bigger until a snicker escaped.

"Sorry." She put a hand over her mouth.

"Cheeky mare." He caught her fingers in his hand as he returned to her notes. When he was done, Gene smiled at her and the appreciative look he was giving her made her cheeks flush. Then he pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her thoroughly.

"Told you, Bolly," he said when they broke for air. "I bloody love your brains."

"You certainly look the part now," she said, tucking some hair behind his ears and smiling at the sexy teacher look he was cultivating.

Gene, embarrassed at the very thought that he might need reading glasses, whipped them off and resolved never to be caught wearing them again. "Leaving aside my devastating good looks which have turned you into a week-kneed girl, I'd say, without question, that you've cracked this whole bastard case, love. I've never seen detective work like it… Bolls…" He kissed her again in appreciation and pride.

Alex was beaming from ear to ear. She loved this; the thrill of a good investigation, the resolution and the knowledge that her hard work was recognised. Most of all, she loved it that her partner understood why she'd get up at 4am and work. "You reckon I'm right, then?"

"Bloody sure of it. I also think you're more right than you know."

"What?"

"If you wanted help from a 'reliable network' in Northern Ireland, then you'd put the squeeze on someone that you know would point you in the right direction, wouldn't you? Someone who had a hell of a lot to lose if you fucked around."

Alex thought for a moment. "Patrick O'Brien."

"Got it in one." Gene sat back on the chair but kept his arm around her. "If we've got stolen goods, and who knows what else, being moved out of Hemel Hempstead to Northern Ireland, then you need help on the other side. You need the right sort of help too. The IRA aren't known for their charity work, so there's got to be a bit of tit for tat going on. Someone, using David Crane's name, put the hard squeeze on Patrick O'Brien to get in contact with the real dangerous IRA types. Not the 'Oh Danny Boy, crying-into-their-pint brigade' over here – the mad hard-core lunatics in Northern Ireland."

"But why would they need O'Brien? He's an IRA wannabe."

"Yeah, but a man who's desperate will do anything. You need to listen to O'Brien's interview tapes again, specifically the bit where Crane threatens O'Brien's family."

"So… they let O'Brien think that you're involved, that his family is in trouble and they need a reliable contact in return for 'protection'."

"And O'Brien knows from bitter experience that I'm not a very tolerant or patient man." He looked shamefaced when he thought about the hiding he'd doled out to O'Brien all those years ago.

"True," she replied and then another thought struck her. "Let's say you're right, and that someone was putting the squeeze on O'Brien, then it makes sense that they'd dispose of him as soon as they got what they needed, right?"

"Right."

"Then the same would apply to Tricky Dick, wouldn't it?"

He nodded slowly. "I'm willing to bet any amount of money that the taxi didn't squish him by accident."

"Someone's busy trying to cover their tracks." Alex rubbed at her temples. "Christ, we've got so much here I can hardly make sense of it all. We need to get-"

"Into work, ASAP," he finished for her. "You, me and everyone else." He rubbed his hands together. "You've done it, Bolls. These bastards, whoever they are, are going down. I know it. Come on." He got to his feet and hurried her in the bedroom to get dressed. Time for a tasty surveillance op in Hemel Hempstead; he'd soon see what stinking little rats were scuttling about. And if one of his team turned out to be an Achilles heal that had stabbed them in the back? Well, it wasn't just metaphors that would get a good mangling, that was for certain.

TBC~~~~~~~~~~TBC

(I promise)