*** THE WAREHOUSE - A WHILE LATER***

Hi there, love.

WPC Quinnan:

Can I hold her?

Oh, she's quite comfortable in my arms.

Who's a good little girl, you are! Yes you are, such a good little girl.

Polly looks up at him pleadingly.

Stop making those pathetic cow eyes! You look ridiculous.

Polly looks back down at the floor.

Oh dear. I've made you sad, haven't I.

Polly shakes her head weakly.

Not going to speak to me?

WPC Quinnan:

I haven't got anything to say to you.

Sure you do.

Polly looks back up at him.

Darling, are you hungry?

WPC Quinnan:

What would it matter if I was?

Well, I don't want you to starve.

WPC Quinnan:

You surprise me. Why do you care?

I care. You think I'm cold and hard hearted, don't you?

Polly raises an eyebrow in curiosity.

I'm a nice person, Polly.

Polly carefully wipes the blood trickling from her nose.

WPC Quinnan:

Which part of you? Because so far, you haven't been.

Want a tissue?

Polly nods, so Peter fishes a dirty handkerchief from his pocket.

Here love, wipe that blood off. You look a right mess!

Polly cleans her face up.

WPC Quinnan:

Thank you.

Ahh better, now smile for me, I want to see that pretty face.

Polly sighs and turns away from him.

HEY! Look at me!

Polly turns and relunctantly stares up at him.

Smile.

WPC Quinnan:

Why?

Because I asked you to.

WPC Quinnan:

If I can hold Sam.

I don't think you should be making deals like that. It might make me angry.

Polly sighs and forces a tiny grin.

Oh, you can do better than that. I've seen you. The way your face lights up when you see Dave.

WPC Quinnan:

You've been spying on me?

Spying? Such a harsh word. I've been around.

WPC Quinnan:

Don't you have your own life to get on with?

This is my life.

WPC Quinnan:

You're not married?

I was.

WPC Quinnan:

And?

What do you mean, and? I don't think it's any of your business.

WPC Quinnan:

You seem to know everything about me.

I do.

WPC Quinnan:

I don't know anything about you.

You don't need to.

WPC Quinnan:

Fine.

You are very bold today.

WPC Quinnan:

You have a problem with that, don't you?

No, you have the problem.

WPC Quinnan:

Me?

You're walking on thin ice. You're trying to be brave, but you're shaking like a leaf.

Polly takes her eyes off him again, as he returns to his previous manner. Peter sits on the floor next to her and plays with Sam. Polly speaks lightly and cautiously.

WPC Quinnan:

What do you want me to say?

Say what you like, I don't wish to control you.

Polly looks at him completely confused.

WPC Quinnan:

Are you going to let us go?

No.

WPC Quinnan:

What is the point of this then?

Let me ask you something, Polly. Do you want to die slowly and painfully? Or quickly without any pain or agony?

Polly looks him in the eye, not understanding.

Don't play dumb!

WPC Quinnan:

Are you going to kill me?

Yes, of course! You don't think I'd let you go!

WPC Quinnan:

Are you going to kill Sam?

Yes.

WPC Quinnan:

Why?

Well, I don't think Dave wants a tiny baby to have to look after. It might stunt his dating style.

Polly rolls her eyes disbelievingly.

You think he cares?

WPC Quinnan:

What do you mean?

Oh Polly, you really are clueless. He only married you because he knocked you up.

WPC Quinnan:

That's not true!

Come on, love, stop kidding yourself! How could he possibly love you? It was a one night stand when you were both smashed off your faces.

WPC Quinnan:

How the hell do you know all this?

I know all.

WPC Quinnan:

Oh really? How?

That's not important.

WPC Quinnan:

Look, I don't care what you believe. I know him.

Not really. Did you know the night before he married you he was with another woman?

WPC Quinnan:

You're lying!

Would you like the pictures?

Polly lets her mouth fall open and nods slowly.

Do you believe me?

WPC Quinnan:

If I can see the pictures to prove it.

Ahh, so you don't believe me.

WPC Quinnan:

I don't, no. He wouldn't do that.

He did.

Look Polly, look at the love of your life in bed with another woman.

Polly peers closer, making out Dave in the photos.

WPC Quinnan:

No, you can't prove when these are from.

Can you see his tongue down her throat? His hands all over her body, touching her they way he touches you.

WPC Quinnan:

These are from years ago!

No, they're not.

WPC Quinnan:

How did you get them? I'm not believing this until you can prove to me that they're recent.

Why should I have to prove it? I can see from the look in your eyes that you believe they're real.

WPC Quinnan:

I believe they're real - but I don't believe they're that recent. And I couldn't care less if they're not!

Have a look at his hair.

Polly looks closely.

You do care, the night before he promised to love cherish and obey you he was loving, cherishing and obeying someone else.

WPC Quinnan:

He DIDN'T! For all I care if could have been a year ago!

Whatever makes you feel better.

WPC Quinnan:

That the best you can do?

You still think he loves you?

WPC Quinnan:

This has nothing to do with you! And you're not going to persuade me otherwise!

No, but everything to do with you. Do you think he believes it's his child?

Polly looks concerned.

WPC Quinnan:

Why wouldn't he?

How long after that night did my brother and his friends have their way with you? Two weeks, wasn't it?

WPC Quinnan:

So?

It's only the word of you and the doctor, isn't it?

Polly shakes her head in denial.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm not listening to you.

Unless you happen to go deaf in the next few seconds, you will be listening to me.

Polly sighs. Peter bounces Sam up and down.

Just think, this little tyke could be my niece.

Polly ignores his comment.

Hi Sam, I'm your Uncle Peter.

WPC Quinnan:

Please stop it!

Why? She needs to know her family. After all, her daddy is dead!

WPC Quinnan:

You're not her family!

I'm the only one who cares about her.

WPC Quinnan:

You? Care about her?

Yes, I have to, don't I. Dave doesn't give a toss, he only married you to do right by you. You're just a little slut who gets her jollies by sleeping with men, then crying rape.

Polly looks downwards at her child.

Sam doesn't deserve it.

WPC Quinnan:

You don't know what you're talking about A minute ago you were going to kill her. And now, now you care!?

Well, she's grown on me.

Polly scoffs.

She's such a little doll. Look at those gorgeous blue eyes, and such soft hair. It's almost like silk, isn't it.

She's so tiny, isn't she?

Polly nods cautiously.

One good kick and half her bones would shatter like glass.

Polly lets her eyes drop closed.

Then again, you could just leave her in a drafty room and she'd freeze.

It's rather chilly in here, isn't it?

WPC Quinnan:

You wouldn't.

I wouldn't what?

WPC Quinnan:

You wouldn't hurt her!

Maybe I will and maybe I won't. Depends on how well you behave.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm behaving, aren't I?

You could be better. You do like to speak back, don't you?

Polly says nothing.

Ahh, very good. Perhaps you've learned to keep your mouth shut.

Polly looks him in the eye.

Now that we have the pecking order sorted, perhaps you'd like to answer my original question?

Polly looks curiously at him.

Are you hungry?

Polly hesitates.

WPC Quinnan:

Yes, I suppose so.

Fancy a pizza? Fish and chips? Anything you like.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm not fussed.

Right, I tell you what. You've been such a good little girl, I'll let you have Sam while I get us dinner.

WPC Quinnan:

Can you untie my hands then?

One hand.

Look after my little niece!

Polly ignores the comment and fusses over her daughter.

I'll bring back something special, I'm sure you didn't get anything from my brother. Sometimes he can be so insensitive.

Polly blinks a few times in confusion.

Not to worry, I won't let you go hungry.

WPC Quinnan:

You really don't have to bother.

It's no bother.

*** THE WAREHOUSE ***

Perhaps I'll take Sam with me�

Polly looks at him confused.

It could get rather warm in here.

WPC Quinnan:

Must you?

I wouldn't want her to her sick.

Polly looks at him suspiciously.

WPC Quinnan:

What's going on?

What do you mean?

WPC Quinnan:

Why would she be in danger of getting sick?

Fires tend to take the life out of people.

Polly stares in shock and terror up at him.

WPC Quinnan:

What.. look�you don't have to do this.

Do what, love? Oh, you mean burn the place to the ground?

Polly struggles desperately to untie her wrists.

WPC Quinnan:

Please, just let me go!

Don't struggle! It'll only make it worse.

It's not going to hurt, Polly. Not for long, anyway.

WPC Quinnan:

Look, you won't get away with this, they will have found you by now, they'll be here any minute!

But they haven't found me.

WPC Quinnan:

They will, though.

I've made a life by melting into shadows. I can disappear within minutes and no one will find me. Why are you so sure?

WPC Quinnan:

Because I trust them. Because they've always been there before.

They're not here now, and if they're not here within two minutes, they'll be too late.

Now Sam, this is a lighter.

WPC Quinnan:

What's doing this going to accomplish? It won't bring your brother back.

It's very, very dangerous if not used properly. No, it won't bring him back, but it'll make me feel a lot better.

Look, Sam, see the pretty flame?

WPC Quinnan:

But you're not a cruel person.

I'm not cruel to the undeserving. You, my dear, deserve everything you get!

WPC Quinnan:

I didn't want him dead any more than you do. You have to believe me!

I don't!

Sweet dreams, Polly Quinnan, rest in peace.

Sam Robertson. Hey, I like the sound of that!

WPC Quinnan:

Please! You're better than this, you know it!

WPC Quinnan:

I'm not a copper. Not now.

What are you, then?

WPC Quinnan:

I'm a mother.

Not for much longer, you're not.

See everything in here, Polly? It's all soaked in kerosene, and it should go up like a bonfire!

Polly blinks her eyes as the pile is engulfed with flames.

WPC Quinnan:

Please! I beg you! Don't do this!

Too late!

Goodbye, Polly. Don't worry, I'll take care of Sam. A child shouldn't be punished for her mother's mistakes!

Polly lets the tears trickle down her cheeks as she tries to save herself. Peter walks to the door.

Say bye bye to mummy, sweetheart.

Bye bye, mummy.

Polly sobs continuously as he heads towards the door.

WPC Quinnan:

Please, please�.

Bye mummy, bye bye!!

I've always wanted a little baby, it's a shame you're her daughter, though. I guess we can't help who are parents are!