Author's Note:

I do not own the Bill or the character of Max Carter, however Poppy is my own creation. I know that I have changed Max a lot as a character in this, but this is how I like to imagine he would be without being nasty and dabbling in the dodgy things he was veering towards at the end of the actual show. Please read and review I would be very grateful as this is new for me! Enjoy!

Chapter 1 : A New Case.

"Sorry I'm late! Car wouldn't start and then I missed the bus." Detective Constable Poppy Calder apologised as she walked into the office.

"Don't worry DC Calder, the briefing notes are still on the board." Detective Inspector Max Carter reassured her. She smiled at him before continuing to remove her coat and sort her desk out. Max watched her from behind his computer screen; she was wearing some tight black trousers, a crisp white shirt and a long blue cardigan underneath her beige coat. She stood in front of the board and read the notes from the morning's briefing. Max stood behind her, reading the notes over her shoulder whilst subtly inhaling her fresh, flowery perfume.

"What do you want me to start working on Guv?" Poppy asked.

"Well I'm working on the murder enquiry Barton Street have handed to us. I could do with a hand the filings in a complete mess." He explained, as soon as he'd finished speaking Poppy picked up one of the boxes and moved into the empty meeting room to spread out the paperwork. DS Carter carried the other boxes through and began to sort through the disarrayed files with his colleague.

"How the hell do they work like this? Everything's all mixed up – mind you I suppose they didn't really care by the time they handed it over. What language is this statement written in?" Poppy asked handing a piece of paper over

"Polski – Polish" Max grinned "That's why this has been handed over to us." He paused, Poppy looked confused "My mother's Polish, I'm fluent, so hopefully I'll be able to find the translated statement in all this lot and if worst comes to worst translate it again."

"Do you know I've worked with you for nearly a year, and I had no idea you could speak Polish! One thing I do know is how you have your coffee – fancy one?"

"Poppy Calder you are a star – I'd love one!"

Poppy returned with two mugs and the two continued to sift through the folders and bits of paper. By mid-morning it was completed, Max and Poppy sat at the table assessing the details.

"Right, so the body of Frederick Nowak was found by the docks last month, his ID was confirmed by his boss. Polish immigrant, whose family were still back in Poland. Any suspects?" Poppy asked

"This man" Max tapped a photograph "Raymond Adler. He brings illegal's in from Poland, he runs gangs over here and in Poland. Takes the money, gets them half way then holds them hostage until the family pays up more. Nasty, nasty man."

"Well Frederick's status was legal, so do we assume he was either working for Adler or he was trying to get somebody across through Adler's business." Poppy questioned.

"Difficult, Fredericks got no previous here or in Poland, he had a good job so I'm not convinced that he would get into something dodgy. But then in this job you never know."

"Neighbours?" Poppy suggested "Barton Street spoke to them but I'm not convinced they did a very good job – they don't seem to have got any information from them; not even the basics."

"Sounds like a plan." Max agreed and held the door open for her to walk through.

Max pulled up outside a smart apartment block, and Poppy looked up at the impressive building.

"What did he do?"

"He was a lawyer, specialising in immigration. He was very successful by all accounts. This place must have cost a bit, and he drove a Merc." Max explained

"I'm clearly in the wrong job" Poppy sighed and headed for the front door. She approached the concierge desk. "Hello, I'm DC Calder, this is DI Carter we're from Sunhill…"

"I'm sure you are babe. I suppose you want to see Frederick Nowak's apartment. Come on then it's on the third floor." He replied, as he walked from behind his desk he looked Poppy up and down. She unflinchingly stared back at him, before looking at Max with raised eyebrows to find him scowling. In the lift Poppy decided to take advantage of the concierge's obvious preference for her.

"What was Mr Nowak like then?"

"Pretty normal, obviously had money – you know smart suit, nice car that kind of thing. He was fairly quiet, always spoke though, which is nice some of them here think that I'm a servant; but he would always have a chat. Think he might have been you know batting for the other team."

"Why was that – did he say?" Poppy prompted

" No, no. I just got that message – never brought any females back here. Blokes like that; they attract lots of women, but not him."

"That doesn't necessarily mean that he was gay." Poppy said as they walked out of the lift

"Well if you give us the keys we can handle it from here thank you!" Max suggested holding his hand out. The concierge reluctantly handed them over.

"I'll be downstairs if you need anything – dial zero on the phone, the names Rob" He explained as he stepped back into the lift.

"Charming fellow!" Poppy grinned ironically as they closed the flat door.

"Wasn't he just? Not sure that I'd trust his judgement though." Max grimaced

"Me neither I mean I haven't had many blokes back recently but it doesn't mean that I'm a lesbian!" She laughed.

"What pretty girl like you – there's not much hope for the rest of us then!" Max said looking at Poppy, as she shook her head and ignored the compliment. "He was very tidy wasn't he? My place doesn't look like this."

"To all intents and purposes he looks like a normal, decent hardworking bloke – why would anybody want to stab him eight times?" Poppy stood with her hands on her hips, frowning.

"Don't let our friend downstairs see you looking like that – I might not be able to stop him pouncing on you" Max grinned playfully as Poppy aimed mock punch at his shoulder. Many people at the station found Max difficult to work with, and assumed his frowns or preoccupation were arrogance; but Poppy had never had any problems and the pair had always got on well together. "Right lets go talk to some neighbours"

"Split up otherwise we'll be here all day!"

Half an hour later the two colleagues met up in the reception area.

"Anything?" Max queried from the armchair he had commandeered

"Not many people in to be honest, but the woman who lives below said she heard a massive argument, lots of shouting about a week before his body was found. Could it be related?"

"Great- did she hear what it was about?"

"It was all in Polish!" Poppy sighed

"Lets get back to the station then, do some background on his colleagues then question them after lunch." Max decided, standing to leave

"Hey babe!" The concierge called. The two police officers turned to face him.

"I assume you were talking to me – it's DC Calder!" Poppy said through gritted teeth

"Yeah, whatever. I was just wandering if you were free tonight?" He grinned

"Oh get lost." Poppy growled before walking off

"Was that a definite no?"

"Shut up." Max warned and followed Poppy out to the car. "Well you can't say you didn't have the offer of proving your not gay!" Max laughed as he drove out of the car park.

As they walked back into the office the DCI accosted them

"How's this new case going?"
"Not many leads so far Sir, bit of a mystery at the moment to be honest. But there was one development." Max described

"What was that?"

"Poppy got asked out!" Max jumped as a ball of paper hit his head after being launched by Poppy.

"Any developments in terms of the case?" Jack Meadows smiled, he had a soft spot for the young DC from the moment she had started in uniform at the station. Her enthusiasm for the job, ability and willingness to help, made her popular with all her colleagues. Poppy was also the type of daughter Jack dreamed of, but he had only had sons.

"All the neighbours said the same – quiet, polite and friendly. Although one woman did say she heard the mother of all arguments going on a week before his death, all in Polish though I'm afraid." Poppy explained helpfully "More than Barton Street found, but not much to go on so far! But we're going to go and talk to his colleagues after lunch."

"OK good work! Oh and DI Carter – stop winding her up, she's a good copper!" Jack said before walking away.

"Come on then, I guess I owe you lunch after this morning." Max grinned

"Dam right you do!" Poppy laughed following him towards the canteen.

With the food in front of them, Poppy continued to analyse the existing evidence.

"Nowak was recently promoted, made into a senior partner. In the original investigation his bosses had nothing but praise for him. I'm still at a loss – I mean why on earth would a highly successful immigration lawyer be involved with Adler?" Poppy sighed, taking another mouthful of her jacket potato. "What is the link anyway?"

"Barton Street found his name and phone number in Nowak's desk drawer, highlighted. Of course it could be nothing?"

"What if Nowak was trying to expose Adler's dodgy schemes – that would make him a sure fire enemy. Is it possible? I mean there isn't any suggestion this was investigated in the files." Poppy suggested thoughtfully.

"Do you know what Poppy, you are brilliant! Come on eat up and we'll find out" Carter smiled. Poppy beamed at the praise of her work. She also blushed slightly, she had always thought that Max was attractive but had never really worked so closely to him before. Now Poppy was beginning to think that his personality was also very agreeable. But he was her boss.

"What's the boss's name?"
"Andrew Worth Guv'; he's the only one available for us to speak to today when I phoned. He was very helpful and said that if we liked he'd get anyone else we'd like to speak to book an appointment with us as soon as they can." Poppy explained

"Oh I do like nice helpful witnesses! Bet Adler won't be so cooperative if we go to speak to him."

"Well you never know – stranger things have happened"

"Ahhh DC Calder and DI Carter I presume? Please do come to my office, would you prefer tea or coffee?" Andrew Worth greeted the police officers.

"Coffee for me please." Max answered

"Coffee as well please. Mr Worth, does your firm specialise in immigration alone?" Poppy began straight away

"It's Andrew please. We have two specialties here immigration and criminal fraud. It's amazing how the two can coincide so often. But Fred Nowak only practiced the immigration side of things. Do take a seat." Worth pointed to the leather sofa on one side of his office, before pouring them coffee.

"Was Mr Nowak working on anything in particular at the time of his death?" Max questioned.

"I gave your colleagues details of the cases he was working at the time." Max and Poppy exchanged exasperated looks

"Mr Worth, Andrew – we've taken this investigation over from another squad and well they don't seem to have been very committed to it." Poppy tried to explain

"Not a problem I'll get my assistant to make copies and send them to your office, if that's suitable for you – I'd rather not hand the originals over."

"That is fantastic thank you." Poppy smiled

"Can I ask – why have you taken over the investigation?"

"Well Barton Street weren't getting anywhere and I speak fluent Polish, which might be helpful." Max explained "How did he get on with his colleagues?"

"Very well. Fred was a very agreeable man; although, there is only one person who he ever had shall we say issues with – one of our fraud lawyers, Heather Gregson. I have no idea why but they never got on. Fred always got on so well with everybody else, that's why it was so odd." Andrew described

"Did he socialise with any of his work colleagues?"

"Occasionally some of them would go for a drink in the pub across the road, not every week. And then there was the Christmas party and so on. I think he also used to play tennis with one of out fraud lawyers. Apart from that I really wouldn't know I'm afraid." Andrew explained.

"Did you know anything about his personal life at all – family, relationships that kind of thing?" Max probed

"Fred was a very private man, he spoke about his family in Poland, I think he had an uncle and cousin living on the other side of the city. But I don't think he saw them that much. Other than that he never spoke of anyone special – he came to my daughter's wedding on his own, the invite was to him and a guest and I said he could bring a friend, but he came alone anyway. Fred made friends easily though so we weren't too worried about him feeling awkward." Again Andrew summarised the information perfectly. "I've made a list of the staff Fred worked with and knew. If you have a look and decide who you'd like to speak to, get in touch with my secretary and she'll make appointments with them." He handed Max a piece of paper.

"Thank you very much Mr Worth, you have been more than helpful!" Max shook his hand as they left.

"Wouldn't it be nice if everybody we spoke to was as cooperative? Then again our job would be very boring." Poppy smiled

"And nobody likes a boring job."

That evening Poppy sat on her sofa reading through a translated statement when her doorbell rang. Glass of wine in hand she opened the front door expecting to see her neighbour only to find Max.

"Guv! Sorry I didn't expect to see you that's all." She spluttered "Come on in." She stood aside and allowed him to pass. He turned to look at her, she was now wearing a pair of tightly fitting jeans and a black v-necked t-shirt.

"I just popped in to see if you needed a lift to work in the morning. I meant to offer before you left but then I completely forgot." Max smiled

"Oh thanks but don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Did you get your car sorted then?"

"I left the keys with my neighbour and the garage picked it up at about three. They're going to get back to me tomorrow." Poppy explained

"So how are you going to get in?"

" I'll get the bus, the stops only round the corner."

"Poppy I have to come past here in the morning anyway, it's not like its any trouble and it saves you the hassle of getting the bus." Max argued

"Well only if you're sure it's no trouble!"

"Of course it's no trouble, are you still working?" He questioned as he noticed the paperwork on the coffee table.

"I was just looking over some old stuff about Adler, trying to get an idea of what he's like." Poppy shrugged

"Right well I'll leave you to it then, have a good night – but don't work too hard and that is an order!" Max grinned with one hand on the door frame, Poppy waved as he walked down the path and disappeared behind the hedge that separated her front garden from the road. She closed the door and leant against the wall smiling to herself. Max started his car up, smiling to himself before he pulled out into the traffic.