'Oh Ramani, what can I do for you?' June asked
'June are you alright?'
'I was just thinking'
'About what?'
'This' June replied as she handed Ramani a letter
'Your resigning, no why?' Ramani said looking shocked
'I cant do this job anymore, it's too much for me'
'Don't be stupid June, you have a lot to give yet'
'No yesterday showed me that I am too old for this, I can't keep up'
'So you couldn't keep up so what, you are a very experienced officer and you are damn good at your job please reconsider' Ramani begged
'No I have made my decision'
'June has this something to do with Jim, I don't want to pry and I don't know what has happened between you in the past but I do know that he has hurt you'
'No it has nothing to do with him, I am doing this for me. I have to give it up, I have done all I can it's time to move on and let the young ones take over now'
'Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?'
'No sorry'
Ramani walked to the door 'Very well but I will miss you, you are one of the best June'
'Thanks' June replied as she followed Ramani out of the office and knocked on Gina's door 'Come in' Gina called 'Ah June what can I do for you?'
'I just wanted to give you this' June said as she handed her resignation to her
'Your resigning?'
'Yes ma'am'
Gina laughed 'This is a joke right'
'No ma'am I am very serious about this, I will work my notice 28 days isn't it'
'No wait slow down June you can't just resign'
'I can and I have'
'No June what��s this all about Monica Skinner, Jim Carver?'
'Partly but mainly it is me I feel I am not up to the job any longer'
'June don't be stupid'
'Ma'am I have made my decision, I thought you would be pleased'
'June we may not get on all the time but you are one fine officer and I definitely don't want to lose you and neither will the super' Gina said
'That's very kind of you to say so but this is something I must do'
'But what will you do?'
'I don't know yet, move away, go travelling, I'm not sure'
'June you are needed here, please reconsider''No I'm sorry. Ma'am may I leave' June asked
'Yes' Gina replied looking shocked.
Gina didn't always get on with June but she knew a good officer when she saw one and June was a good officer. Gina took the letter straight up to Adam. Adam was just as shocked as Gina 'there is no way we can let her do this, she is too good to just let go'
'I have tried persuading her but I had no luck'
'Well we will have to do something. I will try'
'Ok good luck'
Adam called June into his office and tried to persuade her to stay but she stuck to her decision. Adam explained how he felt about the situation and June was overwhelmed by the support she was getting she had never realised how much people thought of her until now. Adam could do nothing to change her mind so he had to back down and agree to her leaving.
Meanwhile in the canteen everyone was talking about June leaving everyone was shocked. 'I never thought I'd see the day June left the job' Reg said
'I know me neither, it's not right' Tony added
'Why is she leaving anyway?' Gary asked
'Well she reckons she isn't good enough for the job any longer' Reg replied
'Well I think she is one hell of an officer especially for her age' Des said
'yes' Gary agreed
As they continued to talk Jim entered the canteen
'Hey Jim have you heard?' Gary shouted
'Heard what?' Jim asked
'Sgt Ackland��s leaving the job'
'What?'
'It's true Jim; she's resigned' Reg added
'But why?'
'Why do you think?' Tony said angrily
'Not because of me'
'I bet you had something to do with it' Tony replied
'Oh come on Tone, Jim isn't the reason, June thinks she isn't good enough anymore'
'What but she is the best'
'Well we know that but she doesn't seem too' Des said
'No she can't do this has anyone tried to persuade her to stay' Jim asked
'Nearly everyone' Tony replied
Jim sighed and walked out of the canteen
Later that evening Jim went to visit June at home, he knocked on the door and she answered 'Jim what do you want?' June asked
'I think you know'
'If this is about me leaving then just forget it Jim'
'I can't June I...'
'Jim I said leave it, go home to your wife and just leave me alone' June shouted as she slammed the door. Once the door was shut she slid down the door and sobbed, she wanted to let him in and talk to him but she couldn't she was scared.
The next day June was in her office filing when Jim entered 'June we need to talk'
'Jim I said all there was to say last night now just leave it'
'June listen to me' Jim shouted. June turned around to face him 'This is work well and personal'
'Go on' June said
'June I need to tell you something, Marie...'
'Jim you said this was work, so why mention her. Are you trying to hurt me' she shouted as she left the office.
Jim quickly followed her, grabbed her arm and pulled her into an interview room. He placed the in use sign on 'Jim what the hell are you doing?' she said angrily
'Well if you won't listen to me June I will have to show you' he replied as he started to undo his shirt
'Jim what are you doing?' June said looking shocked and embarrassed
Jim dropped his shirt to the floor revealing the bruises on his body.
As June looked at the bruises her eyes filled with tears, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. 'What happened Jim?'
'Marie hit me June' he cried
'Why haven't you reported this sooner?' June asked
'I was ashamed'
'Then why tell me?'
'Because you are the only person I can tell, I trust you, I love...'
'Don't Jim please'
'June I am sorry I have come to you and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to know but I...'
'Jim I am glad you did tell me' she smiled. She couldn't believe anyone could do this to her beautiful Jim. The Jim she is so in love with, the Jim she thinks about every day. She hated Marie for doing this to him, she wanted to kill her. 'June I need your help, will you help me?' he sobbed
June couldn't help but hug him 'Of course I'll help but I am going to need someone to help me'
'No June please don't tell anyone' he begged
'Jim it will be alright I promise. I will get Ramani to help me, she will be discreet'
Jim reluctantly agreed. June lifted his shirt up off the floor and helped him put it on, for a second she stopped and had a flash back to the many times she had done that before under different circumstances.
'June?'
'Oh sorry, right you get dressed and I will go and speak to Ramani'
'Thank you'
'Jim everything will be alright I promise'
Jim reluctantly smiled before she left.
June arrived in CSU and asked Ramani for a private word, she explained the situation and Ramani was shocked. 'Would you like me to deal with this June?' Ramani asked
'I was hoping you'd help me, Jim doesn't want everyone knowing'
'You want to be involved, but I didn't think you would want anything to do with it'
'I can't desert him when he needs me, he is still my oldest friend here''Ok, we are going to need a statement and photographic evidence of the bruises, he is also going to need an examination' Ramani said
'Yes, I will arrange for the hospital to do the examination'
'Look there's Jim now' Ramani said looking out of the window
June opened the door and asked Jim to join them 'Jim I have explained everything to Ramani and this will stay between us' June assured him 'We are going to need a statement and photographic evidence Jim'
'Ok'
'I think it might be better if Ramani deals with them' June added
'June can I have a word in private please' Jim asked
June looked up at Ramani and she left 'What is it Jim?' June said looking concerned
'June I will understand if you say no but I would like you to do the interview and photos'
'But I thought you may feel awkward with me'
'Please June' Jim sobbed
'Hey, it's ok' June replied as she placed her arm around his shoulder
'June I trust you and I need someone I trust. Will you do the photos please? I don't think I could deal with showing the bruises to anyone else especially the bruises on my legs and groin'
June's eyes filled with tears as she watched the pain in his face 'Ok if that's what you want Jim I will do it' she managed to say
'Thank you' he sobbed into her shoulder holding her tight for support.
'Jim I am going to take you for an examination up the hospital and then I'll take the statement and photos later'
'Ok' Jim replied as he wiped his eyes
June called Ramani back into the room and explained what was going to happen, she agreed and Jim and June left the station.
About 20 minutes later they arrived at the hospital 'Will you stay with me?' Jim asked
'Oh I don't know Jim perhaps...'
'June please I can't do this without you' Jim interrupted
June squeezed his hand gently 'Ok Jim, everything will be all right I promise'
Jim had his medical and June decided that she would take the photos and statement at her house as she thought t would be more comfortable for Jim. They arrived at June's and she made them both a cup of tea which they drank while Jim made his statement. By the end of the interview both Jim and June were crying. 'I am sorry June I didn't mean to upset you' Jim whispered
'I'm upset because I care Jim'
'I know but I don't deserve you'
'Jim I will always be around if you need me' June replied
'Not if you leave'
'Jim I am leaving the job not the country'
'But you told Gina you were thinking of travelling'
'Yeah thinking'
'June I don't want you to go'
'Jim lets not talk about this, lets get these photos taken''June can I have a shower first I feel dirty after that medical examination' Jim asked
'Of course you can, there's a bath robe... I mean...'
'You still got my bath robe?'
'Yes, stupid really I know'
'No it's not' Jim replied as he walked up the stairs
Jim had a shower and put his boxer shorts and bath robe on before joining June back downstairs. As Jim walks into the room June eyes fill up at the sight of him, it was like old times she thought.
'June are you alright?' Jim asked
'Yes sorry, I am just being silly she replied as she wiped her eyes 'Right are you ready?'
'As I'll ever be' He replied as he removed the bathrobe.
June began to cry again when she saw the bruises she couldn't help it. She took the photos and Jim went back upstairs to get dressed.
He placed his clothes on June's bed, he sat on the bed for a while looking around the room. It hadn't changed he thought, it still looked and smelt the same, the smell was June's perfume, which he loved. He looked at the clock on the chest of drawers by the side of her bed and he saw a picture of himself on June kissing in Luke and Kerry's wedding. He picked it up and a tear dropped onto it, how happy he was back then, why did he have to through all that happiness away he thought.
Jim had been up stairs a good 20 minutes now so June went looking for him. She found him sitting on her bed staring at this photo 'Jim are you alright? June asked
'I don't know' he replied
June joined him on the bed 'Those were happy times weren't they, well at least I thought so'
'They were' he sobbed 'I was a fool to let you go and hurt you'
'Well its done and dusted now, we have to move on'
'Yes and that's why your leaving' Jim snapped
'Oh don't bring that up again, come on we have to get back o the station' June said as she walked to the door.
The Jim reluctantly followed her downstairs and June drove them back to the station where she handed the photos and statement to Ramani.
'How is he June?'
'Not good, we have to get him away from her, she is destroying him'
'We will June don't worry, just a few more days'
'A few more days, why? We have enough to arrest her now, I don't think we should leave it a few days'
'June I know you are worried about him but if we can get taped evidence it will help Jim in court you know that as well as I do'
'We can't put him back into that relationship, we don't know what will happen t him' June snapped
'June I think you are letting your emotions cloud your professional judgement'
'How dare you!' June shouted
'June please lets not argue about this'
'I am sorry I just...'
'You are still in love with him aren't you?' Ramani butted in
'Yes' June cried'Oh June'
'I can't help it'
'June trust me on this, I won't let this go on any longer than necessary I don't want to see Jim hurt either. I want to wire Jim up and get taped evidence, it will make a stronger case'
'I know but she may kill him'
'I will be outside their house at all times listening'
'I want to come too' June said eagerly
'Do you think that's a good idea?'
'I have to be there'
'Ok, look call Jim in and we'll explain everything to him'
June called Jim into the interview room and they explained what they planned to do and then Ramani left. As Jim was about to leave June grabbed his arm 'Jim wait, look I am sorry'
'What about?' he asked
'About sending you back to her'
'June this is not your fault it's mine'
'Jim' she said as she held his hand and gently squeezed it 'I promise I wont let her hurt you again'
'I know, thank you' Jim replied before leaving
The next day Jim arrived in CSU with a cut lip 'Hey Jim what happened to you?' Cathy shouted
'Oh I fell in the shower'
'Yeh, yeh, been cheating on her have you?'
'What are you trying to imply?' he snapped
'Nothing I was joking Jim'
'That's enough Cathy get back to work, Jim a word please' Ramani demanded
Ramani led Jim into the interview room 'What happened Jim?'
'She lost it'
'Has June seen you?'
'Not yet'
'Ok look I will try and sort things out as quick as I can'
'Thank you'
'Are you alright?'
'Yes I'm fine'
'Ok office work for you today'
'Yep' Jim said as he left
Meanwhile Cathy had gone down to speak to Honey 'Oh you should see Jim' she smiled
'Why?' June enquired as she overheard their conversation
'Oh Sarge you should see him, he's got a fat lip, he said he did it in the shower but my guess is he is cheating on his wife I mean its not as if he hasn't done it before he did it to you didn't he'
'Firstly PC Bradford you shouldn't be spreading gossip and secondly Jim and I had finished before he started seeing Marie' June replied
'Sorry Sarge'
June left the conversation and went straight to her office and phoned CSU. She asked Jim to come and see her in her office at once. Jim did what she asked; he knocked on her door and then entered. 'Sarge' he said
'Oh Jim' June cried as she placed her hand to his face 'Is it sore?'
'A little'
'What happened?'
'Ben was late home and I got the blame'
'Oh Jim I am so sorry, I can't bare to see you like this'
'Don't worry it will soon be over'
'Yes it will tonight if I can help it' she replied as she picked up the phone and spoke to Ramani, she demanded that the obbo be brought forward to tonight. Ramani agreed, June put the phone down 'right we are on for tonight' she smiled
'Thank you June for everything' he sobbed and then hugged her tightly
'I am just doing my job Jim'
'You are doing more than that'
'Jim I...'
'You what?'
'It doesn't matter you had better get back, I will see you tonight'
'Yes thanks' Jim replied before leaving.
Later that evening after the shift June and Ramani followed Jim home he had been wired up. They stopped outside his house and waited. First everything seemed fine but then they heard a glass smash 'Where have you been?' Marie said
'At work'
'Until this time?'
'I did some overtime'
'You're lying!' Marie shouted
'I'm not'
'I know your lying Jim' she screamed
'Come on' June said 'Let's get in there'
'No June' Ramani replied 'not yet'
'But?'
'But nothing not yet'
They listened for a little longer until they heard Marie punch Jim 'Ok now, now' Ramani shouted.
June ran to the front door and knocked but no one answered so she ran around the back and looked through the window. As she looked through the window her face turned white with fright Jim was lying on the floor and Marie was threatening him with a knife. June quickly entered the back door frightening Marie who then went to strike Jim but June ran over and managed to knock the knife out of her hand, slicing her hand in the process. Ramani ran in through the back door and headed straight to Marie and handcuffed her
'Marie Carver I am...' Ramani begins
'No DC Costa please may I'
'Go ahead'
'Marie Carver I am arresting you for assault you do not have to say anything but anything you do say maybe giving as evidence, do you understand?' June said firmly'Yes I understand'
'Take her away' June said
Ramani leaves with Marie 'Jim are you alright?' June asked
'I am fine but your not look at you hand'
'It will be alright'
'No June I am taking you to hospital' Jim insisted
'There's no need'
'There's every need and don't argue. Now put this on it to try and stop the bleeding'
'ok, ok'
Jim drove June to hospital where she had three stitches in her hand and then they went back to June's.
The next day Jim arrived for work later than June, as June wanted to interview Marie with Ramani. By the time Jim had arrived the whole station was talking about him. The day passed slowly for Jim and everywhere he went someone was talking and laughing about him. June hadn't managed to see Jim today as she was tied up in custody but she had heard about the comments people were making.
Ramani came down to custody to see June 'June can I have a word?'
'Go on'
'It's Jim I am worried about him he seems really down. I think work is getting to him with everyone talking about him, but I am afraid to send him home.'
'Ok where is he now?'
'The canteen'
'Right, Smithy can you watch the desk I am going for lunch'
June walked up to the canteen and found Jim sitting in the corner on his own with everyone sitting and giggling at him
'Right be quiet' she shouted. Everyone fell silent and looked at her 'Right I have had enough of listening to all of you talking and laughing behind Jim's back. Yes it's true Jim's wife has been beating him up but that is nothing for Jim to be ashamed of, just because he is a male doesn't mean he can't be abused. Now all of you should grow up, you are supposed to be his work mates, his friends you should be supporting him not laughing at him. If you ever needed help Jim would be one of the first to help you. I am surprised at you Reg and you Nick especially after Jim tried to help you Nick.
And you Cathy you work in CSU if this is the way you treat victims then perhaps you should be transferred back to uniform. And you Polly, Tony you should be ashamed of yourselves; you are supposed to be his friends.
Jim has been through a hard time lately and now he needs your support so just think about his feelings before you start laughing at him, think about how you would feel if it happened to you and don't think it couldn't happen to you because it could. Over the years I have seen huge body builders in my office crying as they are the victim of domestic violence, so just think before you speak'
'Yes Sarge' Polly replied
'Sorry Sarge' Reg added
'It's not me you should be apologising to is it' June said as she joined Jim
'Thank you, you didn't have to do that' Jim replied with tears in his eyes
'they needed to be told'
'I couldn't have done any of this without you'
'I am glad I could be of help'
'June you have been my rock, please reconsider leaving'
'I can't Jim it's too late, I need to start again. I will miss you though'
'I don't think I can go on without you'
'Of course you can Jim, you'll have too'
'I'll see you later I have a meeting with Mr Okaro'
Jim watched her leave and sobbed, he was losing her all over again he thought.