June and Jim were alone in CSU. Jim walked over to June and placed his hand on her back, she swiftly moved away and glared at him. 'Oh come on June this is ridiculous, there's nobody around they have all gone home' Jim said looking annoyed
'Jim I told you before we started this that it could only work if we kept work separate'
'I know and I understand that but the shift has finished now' Jim replied
'The shift may have ended Jim but we are still in the station'
'So even though work has finished I can't touch you or be with you like your partner'
'No'
'So when can I' Jim shouted 'We never seem to have anytime alone together and when we do you tell me to back off'
'You knew it would have to be like this Jim' June said
'No I bloody didn't, granted I knew we must stay professional at work but I thought as soon as work was finished we could be together. Why can't we just tell people and then we wouldn't have to go around pretending there is nothing between us'
'No we can't tell anyone'
'Why not? Oh wait a minute I get it you are ashamed of me' Jim said
'Ashamed?'
'Yes ashamed and that's why you don't want to be seen with me. Before we got together we used to go out all the time together but now you won't be seen with me at all, you'll go out with Tony or Matt no problem but when I ask you out the only answer I get is, not tonight Jim'
'That's not true Jim'
'Isn't it?' Jim said walking towards the door
'You know it's not' June shouted 'Jim wait, where are you going?'
'Home I will see you in the morning'
'Jim wait please'
Jim took no notice and walked out, leaving June to think about what she might be losing. She sat back in her chair and put her head in her hands. Why do I always do this, push people away she thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by a woman's voice 'everything alright Sarge?' Cathy asked
'Sorry?' June replied looking puzzled
'With Jim?'
'Oh, oh yes just a misunderstanding'
'It must have been one hell of a misunderstanding judging by Jim's face'
'Hmm yes, anyway what are you doing here I thought you had gone home'
' I left my jacket here'
'Oh right'
Cathy walked towards the door 'Night Sarge and don't worry about Jim he will get over it'
'Get over what?' June said eagerly
'whatever the misunderstanding was. Sarge are you all right?'
'Um yes yes I am fine thanks'
'Ok, bye'
Cathy left and June immediately picked up the phone and dialled Jim's mobile. She needed to speak to him to sort things out and say sorry she thought to herself.
Jim's phone started to ring 'Come on Jim please pick up' June said
Jim looked at his phone and it said June, he pressed the off button and placed it back into his pocket 'Oh Jim' June said with frustration
Jim didn't want to speak to her right now because he was upset and emotional and he was afraid of pushing her away. He thought he would leave things settle tonight and then they could talk properly in the morning.
June picked up her bag and coat and went home
The next day
Jim arrived early for work; he hadn't slept very well so he decided to come in early and do some paperwork. In CID they had a large raid planned for the day and they were looking for officers to help them out, as they were short. Jack Meadows walked into CSU 'Morning Jim, is Sgt Ackland not in yet'
'Not yet, is there anything I can help you with?' Jim asked
'Well actually you would be better for this job really, are you busy this morning?' Jack asked
'Not really why?'
'Well as you probably know CID are planning a big raid today at the Archers pub, we believe illegal immigrants may be staying there.'
'So how can I help'
'Well I need more officers'
'I should really clear it with June but...'
'I'll sort everything out with June'
'Alright then' Jim said
Jim grabbed his coat and followed Jack down to the van and the van drove off.
1 hour later
June arrives in CSU and notices Jim isn't in yet 'has anyone seen Jim this morning?' she asked.
Everyone said no. She placed her bag onto the table on top of a note left by Jack Meadows explaining Jim's absence. She picked up the phone and dialled his home number but the answer machine came on so she tried his mobile but it was switched off. 'Where are you Jim?' she whispered to herself.
Meanwhile Jim was sitting in the back of the van with Nick, Luke, Kerry, Cass, Tony and Gary waiting for their orders. They were all laughing and talking when they heard their call and one by one they jumped out of the back of the van and ran into the pub. The pub was full and as soon as they shouted 'POLICE' there were people running everywhere. Jim and Gary went up the stairs 'You look in those too' Jim said to Gary
Jim opened the door and walked in slowly, he went to the switch and as he placed his hand on the switch he got kicked from behind and he fell to the fall.
Gary heard a noise and went to investigate 'Jim are you alright?' he shouted as he opened the door to find A man standing there with a gun pointing at a sore looking Jim. 'Come any closer and I will shoot' the armed man said
'Gary go' Jim just managed to say
'I can't leave you here'
'Just go please, get out of here' Jim begged. Jim wasn't thinking of himself he was thinking of Gary and all those young policemen and women who died in the fire. He didn't want another young copper risking his life to save an old copper like himself.
'I'd listen to him if I was you' the armed man said
Gary reluctantly moved away from the door towards the stairs. Once he reached the top of the stairs he ran down them to find DCI Meadows 'Sir' he shouted 'It's Jim'
'Slow down Gary what's the matter?' Jack asked
'It's Jim sir, we were checking the rooms upstairs and Jim was hit from behind'
'Where is he now?'
'He is in the back bedroom being held hostage with a gun pointing at his face.'
'Mickey!' Jack shouted
'Yes Sarge'
'we have a hostage situation, call everyone back and radio in for back up but don't mention the officer involved'
'Ok Gov'
Mickey calls everyone back and radios into the station
'Could you repeat that please Mickey?' Gina said
'The raid has gone wrong, an officer has been taken hostage by an armed male'
'Do we know who the officer is?'
'Can't say at present but we need back up' Mickey said
'back up on way'
Gina gets Matt to take over in the control room and runs to her office on the way she bumps into June 'Ma'am, is there a problem?' June asked
'You could say that, a CID raid has gone wrong and one of our officers is being held at gunpoint'
'what? Who?'
'I don't have any further details but I am going down there now'
'ok'
Gina rushes off out of the station and June returns to her desk and over hears Cathy and Brandon talking 'Word is, is that it is Jim'
'What would he have been doing there though'
'I don't know' Cathy replied
'What are you too talking about' June asked
'We were just saying that word is that Jim is the one being held hostage'
June felt numb for a few seconds and then she thought no it can't be
'Why would Jim be involved in the raid?'
'I don't know perhaps we are wrong but it would explain why he wasn't here now' Brandon said
June turned around in her chair, inside she was extremely worried but she didn't want to show her concerns because people would start wondering why she was so bothered. She picked up the phone and dialled Jim's number again but there was still no answer. She moved her bag onto the floor and a yellow piece of paper fell too. Brandon picked it up and gave it to her, as she read it she turned white. 'What's up Sarge you look as if you've seen a ghost' Brandon commented
'Jim is at the raid, DCI Meadows left this note saying he was short of officers so he borrowed Jim' June said trying not to look too concerned
'Ok so we know he's at the raid but that doesn't mean that he is the one being held hostage' Brandon said
'Maybe'
June got up and walked out of CSU to the control room 'Any more news from the raid Matt' June asked
'Not yet'
'Matt' Gina said
'Go ahead Ma'am'
'An ambulance is going to be required, apparently the officer was attacked from behind first'
'Ok, has he been released yet' Matt asked
'No and it's not looking good'
'Any news on who it is yet'
'Yes...........It's.........PC Carver could you please notify CSU'
'Will do thanks Ma'am 'Matt said 'There you go June it's Jim'
June looked shocked 'Are you alright June?'
'um yes yes I will be fine'
June walks out of the control room and walks into the empty toilets, she walks to the mirror and wipes away a single tear from her eye 'No why Jim, what was Jack thinking of, he should never have been there. No no no!!!' she shouted angrily. She could feel herself filling up so she quickly went into a cubicle and locked the door. This isn't happening she thought to herself. I need to get down there, no don't be stupid I can't, everyone would wonder why I was so interested, oh god what should I do she thought. I need to see him, speak to him; I need to do something she shouted to herself. With that she wiped her eyes, left the cubicle and returned to CSU. 'Have you heard anymore Sarge?' Brandon asked
'Yes, it's Jim' she replied
'How serious is it? I mean is he injured?'
'As serious as it gets I am afraid, all I know is that he was attacked from behind'
'Are you alright Sarge?' Brandon asked
'Um, yes fine thanks'
Meanwhile at the pub the gunman had set his demands; he wanted to see his wife. Jack was working frantically trying to find his wife but he was having no luck and he knew the longer it took him the worse it would be for Jim.
'Look tell me your name, I am Jim, Jim Carver, tell me what this is about?' Jim said trying to fight back the pain throughout his body.
'Shut up, shut up' the gunman said raising his voice
'Look if you tell me maybe I could help' Jim insisted
'No-one can help, no-one'
'Try me, you'd be amazed what I can do'
'I am losing my wife' the gunman said as he turned around and walked to the window
'What do you mean?' Jim asked
'5 years ago my brother died in a road accident and I couldn't cope with it so I started drinking. Some days I would spend all day in the pub. I got into debt and borrowed money to pay for my habit'
Jim looked to the floor he knew only too well what alcohol could do to people. 'Who did you borrow the money off, Tom Ashford?'
'Yes, he lent me the money but I couldn't pay him back so he got me involved in smuggling illegal immigrants' the gunman sobbed
'So Mr Ashford is the main man?' Jim asked
'Yes, I didn't want to do it, I knew it was wrong but I had no choice if I didn't do what he said he would have hurt my family'
'What about your wife?'
'Well over the past 4 weeks she has been ignoring me and stopping me seeing my two children because she doesn't believe I have stopped drinking but I have. I haven't had a drink for 6 months now.' The gunman cried
'6 months is a good start'
''What would you know, you are just a man with a good job and you probably have a perfect family'
'No actually, I maybe a copper but I have had my problems too, I am not married and I am a recovering alcoholic'
'You?' the gunman looked surprised
'Yes, so I do understand how it feels. The first year is the worst, with everyone doubting you, not believing that you haven't had a drink but it does get easier you just have to give it time. I am sure in time your wife will come round'
'She won't listen to me' he sobbed 'I have tried several times'
'Why don't you put that gun down and I will try and help you, I will talk to your wife' Jim said as he tried to get up
'The gunman turned round suddenly and shouted 'Don't move I am warning you'
'Ok, ok I won't move but I am losing a lot of blood I need something to put on my head to try and stop the bleeding, that towel will do'
'Why should I give you anything'?
'Because you don't won't me to die'
The gunman passed the towel to him and Jim placed it on his head and tried to apply pressure to try and stop the bleeding.
Back at the station June was sick with worry, her heart was telling her to the pub and her head was saying no don't, be professional. As she was thinking Tony walked in looking for her. 'Tony!' June said eagerly 'How is Jim?'
'He has a serious head injury but no-one can get to him, from what I heard he is losing a lot of blood'
June gasped
'The gunman has demanded to see his wife' Tony continued
'Then why don't they just find her and take her there' June shouted
'It's not that easy June, you know that'
'Sorry Tony I just ��
'I know, look Jim will be alright'
'I hope so'
'He will, if anyone can talk themselves out of a situation like this it's Jim'
'I know'
'Anyway I came back to the station because DCI Meadows said he needs someone from CSU to be with the wife when she arrives' Tony said
'Well what are we waiting for' June replied
'Are you sure you should be the one doing this June?' Tony asked
'Tony I have to do something'
'Ok'
June grabbed her coat and bag and followed Tony to the car.
'Look lets all calm down, the police have contacted your wife I am sure she will be here soon'
'Well for your sake she better had be'
'Why don't you tell me a bit about your wife' Jim said
'Just shut up'
'Well I'll tell you about my partner then, she is everything a man could ask for, kind, gentle, caring, understanding'
'Does she know about you being a recovering alcoholic?' the gunman asked
'Yes, she helped me through all the bad times, she was a rock'
'Well you're a lucky man then'
'Yes I am and I am sure you are too. I bet your wife will stand by you so lets stop playing games put the gun down and lets just talk'
'No, you are trying to trick me, she's not coming is she?' the gunman shouted
'She is coming I promise'
'Look just shut up' the gunman said as he kicked Jim in the stomach
'Awww' Jim shouted
Downstairs, June arrives with Tony. 'June am I glad to see you' Jack said looking concerned. 'The wife is on her way but she has asked for someone to be with her when she talks to her husband'
'I see and you want me to do it'
'Yes but we have to move fast, Jim is losing a lot of blood and we just heard him scream again about 5 minutes ago'
June looked really worried and concerned
'While you are up there take a look at Jim she how bad it actually is'
'Ok sir'
30 minutes later
The wife had arrived and she was with June getting ready to go upstairs. 'Be careful June' Tony said
June and the wife Sandra went upstairs 'Mr Jones I am Sergeant Ackland and I have brought your wife to see you'
Jim's face dropped when he heard he voice, he couldn't believe they had sent her up here.
'I want to see her alone' the gunman shouted
'No Harry, Sgt Ackland is going to stay with me'
June slowly opened the door and her stomach turned over when she saw Jim covered in blood propped up against the wall with a gun pointing at his face.
'Jim' June said trying to hold back the tears
'June, I am fine'
'Don't come any closer Sgt Ackland' the gunman said 'Sandra I want to speak to you alone'
'Why are you doing this Harry?'
Harry moved towards the door still pointing the gun at Jim
'I love you Sandra'
'If you love me you wouldn't be doing this' she replied
'See she doesn't listen' Harry shouted as he grabbed her
June reacted and tried to grab her back but he was to strong 'June get out of here' Jim shouted
'I can't leave you'
'Please just go'
Harry grabbed hold over June's arm, Jim slid along the floor and grabbed his leg, Harry stumbled and let Sandra and June go, they both fell backwards into the corridor. Harry shut the door and in the struggle with Jim the gun went off.
End of Part 1