A large imposing figure stood transfixed at the front door. Jim and June were still making their way up the stairs as Andy Thomas tugged Jim�s collar. June watched as Jim fell back down the stairs. She saw the way his body was limp and lifeless as it lay awkwardly at the foot of the stairs horrified her. June started towards the lifeless Jim as Andy Thomas swung at her face. June fell to the floor with a sickening thud, blood streaming out of her nose, her hand poking out at a strange angle... But she held on, she started to stand to defend herself just as Thomas pulled out a gun from his trousers.
�Now what do you think yer doing sweetheart?� He said while grabbing June by the shirt and throwing her once again to the floor.
�I�ve got a feeling that you don�t know much about me�� Andy whined.
�You don�t know the half of it� June muttered full of hate and rage.
Andy bent down to face the bleeding June. June noted his scent, cigarettes and sweat. He was an ogre, disfigured face with a snarling mouth. His stubble, reinforcing his grotesque looks.
�Who do you think you are sweetheart? Noble warrior?�
�Sgt June Ackland�Sun Hill police.�
Andy Thomas�s expression changed, from slightly smug to devilish hatred.
�Pig.� Andy spat at June. �You�re all fucking pigs, the lot of yer.�
June coughed and spluttered�noticing droplets of blood landing in her broken hand. Andy Thomas� gun was resting against his cheek; he laughed bearing down on Jim. He started towards the drawing room just as June approached behind him with a lamp�
Andy Thomas spun around just as June smashed the antique over his head. June stood there swaying slightly as she watched him fall to the ground. Almost immediately she rushed over to Jim�s side.
�Jim�Jim�� June said while trying to wake him. She checked his pulse and breathing. Thankfully they were both strong. June stumbled over, resting her broken hand, to the phone by the front door. She picked up and dialled Meadows� number. June, kneeling by the phone, tried to control her erratic breathing. She was dizzy, as if she�d flown around in circles for hours.
Finally after several rings there was an answer.
�Jack�� she breathed as bile rose in her throat.
�June? June, what�s happened?�
�Jack� she cried. �Help, Jim and I are hurt�Thomas is unconscious�oh I�I�
Suddenly, a shot pieced the silent; still air in the Hodges home and June Ackland fell to the floor leaving the phone hanging by its cord�
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