** OCTOBER 10TH - 2001 **

*** SISKIN ROAD - 11:20 PM ***

PC Clarke:

Don't you hate it when your baton doesn't work, Poll?

Roz taps at her utility belt angrily. Polly frowns, looking over at the younger officer.

PC Clarke:

My ASP won't open, no matter how hard I flick it. I think it's stuck.

PC Page:

Yeah, it's the wet weather. Gets jammed. Try baby oil or something. Usually does the trick.

Roz nods.

PC Clarke:

Thanks Poll. You'd think I'd be used to walking around at night by now but it's still a little bit scary. I'm glad you're with me.

PC Page:

Yeah, you won't have to do it on your own though. Met policy and all. Although back in the days of single-manning it got a bit frightening.

Roz shivers.

PC Clarke:

It's damn cold. I wish they'd make the Met jumpers a little bit thicker.

PC Page:

Scarf comes in handy. You'll get used to it though.

Polly changes the subject.

PC Page:

So, almost a year in, yeah? Still think it's for you?

Roz shrugs.

PC Clarke:

I'm not sure any more. I mean, I loved it at the start but things are getting a little bit dull recently. All I've dealt with in the last month or so are burglaries and bag snatches. I need some more excitement in my life if I'm going to stick with this.

Polly considers this.

PC Page:

You thought about specialising? There's lots of fields you could go into.

PC Clarke:

Well I like the idea of moving up to CID one day. I can see myself in a crumpled suit.

Roz's ears prick up.

PC Clarke:

Hang on, can you hear that Poll?

Polly pauses for a moment, hearing the scuffling.

PC Page:

Yeah. Sounds like it's coming from down there. Shall we?

PC Clarke:

Sure.

Roz presses her hat down firmly and the two officers start to investigate the noise. Polly leads off, running towards the loud male voices, ahead of Roz.

PC Page:

Hurry up, will ya! They'll have killed each-other by the time we get there at this rate!

Roz begins to run at a brisk trot but Polly easily outpaces her. Andrews hears the police officer approaching and quickly darts back down the towards the other end of the alleyway.

PC Clarke:

Oi! Stop you two!

Roz keeps running into the alleyway, though she can barely make out Polly running ahead of her.

PC Clarke:

Wait up, Poll. Don't get separated!

Roz starts to pant slightly as she fumbles with her ASP. Andrews realises that the shorter officer is close behind him and increases him pace through the alleyway and into the adjoining street. Roz follows Andrews, clutching at her radio as she runs.

PC Clarke:

469 from 235? Polly, where are you? I can't see you.

Roz keeps running after the shadowed man ahead of her. Andrews turns sharply down a road, managing to stay just ahead of the officer.

PC Clarke:

Stop! I've seen your face, you prat!

Roz pulls out her ASP but it will not open. In disgust, she throws it to the ground and keeps on running.

PC Clarke:

Just stop would ya? There's nowhere to run to.

Andrews briefly slows, turning around to grin cheekily at the officer.

Brian Andrews:

You must be joking, sweetheart!

Roz grabs her radio again, puffing and panting.

PC Clarke:

Sierra Oscar from 235. Urgent Assistance needed. Not sure where we are, I'm chasing a suspect on foot towards some houses.

June places the assistance call.

Sgt. Ackland:

235 from Sierra Oscar, situation report please.

Di looks across at June.

PC Worrell:

Polly was with her, Sarge. We haven't heard from her in awhile.

June nods.

Sgt. Ackland:

469 from Sierra Oscar, situation report please?

Di and June wait but there is no reply.

PC Worrell:

She's not answering. Maybe she's in a radio dead spot?

June thinks for a few moments.

Sgt. Ackland:

There aren't really any dead spots on three beat.

June turns back to her terminal.

Sgt. Ackland:

235 or 469, please report my signal. Over.

PC Clarke:

Go ahead Sierra Oscar.

Roz is still running along the dark alleyway.

Sgt. Ackland:

235, situation report.

PC Clarke:

I'm still following the suspect, Sarge. No sign of Polly I'm afraid.

Roz puts her head down and continues to chase the man ahead of her.

Sgt. Ackland:

Received. Back-up will be with you shortly.

PC Clarke:

Thanks Sarge. I hope I don't need it.

Andrews continues running, gradually getting further away from Roz. He ducks into a side street and she has no hope of catching him. Roz slowly comes to a stop and looks around in every direction. There is no sign of Brian. Roz picks up her radio again.

PC Clarke:

Sierra Oscar from 235. I've lost sight of the suspect. I'm afraid he's gotten away Sarge. I'll see if I can locate Polly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Received. Be careful, Roz.

PC Clarke:

I will Sarge.

Roz turns around and slowly retraces her steps. She tries her radio again.

PC Clarke:

469 from 235. Situation report Polly.

Roz taps her radio when there is no reply. Walton is running frantically down the alley and literally into Roz.

James Walton:

My, my, just what have we here, darling?

Roz looks up in shock as James approaches her.

PC Clarke:

Get out of my way. I'm a police officer.

Walton scoffs lightly, his voice ragged and low.

James Walton:

All the better then, ain't it.

Walton quickly pushes Roz up against the alley wall, pinning her against it. Roz fumbles with her CS Spray.

PC Clarke:

Get your hands off me!

Walton pulls the bottle out of her hand, flinging it to the ground.

James Walton:

I wouldn't be trying anything stupid darling.

Walton starts pulling at Roz's jacket with one hand, the other tightly grasping her shoulder. Roz struggles against the man's sweaty hands.

PC Clarke:

Let go of me...

Roz grabs her radio and presses the panic button. Roz continues to struggle as alarms go off in the CAD room and every sound she makes is audible.

PC Clarke:

Let go of me! Sierra Oscar from 235, urgent assistance!

Walton tries to secure a hand over her mouth, unsuccessfully.

James Walton:

Shut up, you little cow, just shut up!

PC Clarke:

Help!

Roz bends down as James' hands slide up and down her body.

PC Clarke:

Let go of me!

Roz manages to get hold of her CS Spray again.

James Walton:

Oh no you don't!

Walton tries to pull the can from her grasp. Roz pulls herself free from him with an almighty effort and backs away from the wall, her CS Spray raised.

PC Clarke:

Stay back, you bastard. Or I swear I'll use this!

Walton hesitates before grasping her arm once against, trying to get hold of the can. Roz elbows James in the stomach and presses down on the release button on her CS Spray. Roz steps back as the spray shoots into James' face and blinds him. Walton curses under his breath, stepping backwards and shielding his face with his hands.

PC Clarke:

Gotcha.

Roz squirts another load of CS Spray into James' face. Walton staggers for a few moments, eventually managing to see enough to start running from the officer. Roz takes a deep breath and drops her CS Spray.

PC Clarke:

Sierra Oscar from 235.

Sgt. Ackland:

235 from Sierra Oscar, are you all right Roz?

PC Clarke:

I'm fine, Sarge. A man just ran into me and assaulted me. I sprayed him with CS and he ran off. I think it might be the same man that Polly and I spotted before.

Roz is panting. She stands still for a minute to get her bearings.

Sgt. Ackland:

Received. But you're not hurt?

PC Clarke:

Nothing major. I'm in a dark alley, Sarge. There's still no sign of Polly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Any sign of that back-up? They had a bit of a hold up I'm afraid.

PC Clarke:

No sign of anything Sarge, except...

Roz trails off as she spots something glinting in the moonlight nearby.

PC Clarke:

Just a sec Sarge.

Roz lets her radio drop and walks over to investigate. It turns out to be a PC's hat. The hat is crushed and there is blood on the rim. Polly hears the footsteps and lets out a low groan.

PC Clarke:

Polly? Polly, is that you?

Roz walks towards the sounds, her heart pounding. Polly groans again in affirmation.

PC Clarke:

Polly?

Roz stumbles across Polly's body lying curled up on the ground. Polly squints up at the figure. Slowly recognising the voice. Her reply is more statement than question, one drawn-out succinct word:

PC Page:

Roz.

Roz kneels down beside Polly's body.

PC Clarke:

Good God, what happened?

Roz takes Polly's hand. Polly replies, her voice strained and somewhat dazed.

PC Page:

He, he raped me.

Roz looks down at Polly's bloodstained clothing.

PC Clarke:

Are you... okay? I mean, did he hurt you in any other way?

PC Page:

No, I, I don't think so. Just my face.

Roz is stunned by the turn of events.

PC Clarke:

I'll call for an ambulance... Just a minute.

Roz stands up and walks away from Polly. When she is out of hearing range she kneels on the floor and bursts into tears. She stays there, shuddering and shaking, for a minute before calling for an ambulance.

*** CAD - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 11:50 PM ***

June looks locks eyes with Di Worrell, as she stands from her terminal, in disbelief.

Sgt. Ackland:

Repeat previous Roz?

Roz stutters into her radio.

PC Clarke:

It's Polly, Sarge. She's been raped, or at least that's what she told me. I don't know what to do!

June sighs, glancing briefly at Di.

Sgt. Ackland:

Right Roz. Just stay with her, where you are and we're all be there ASAP.

June slams her headset down on the bench, turning to Di.

Sgt. Ackland:

You handle things here. I'll get you some back-up once I know what's going on.

Di nods and turns towards her radio set. June briskly leaves CAD, running towards Monroe's office, not even bothering to knock. Andrew looks up, surprised at the intrusion.

Insp. Monroe:

What is it June?

Sgt. Ackland:

Polly's been raped, Sir. Roz just called it in!

Andrew blinks. June turns and is halfway down the corridor leading to the yard before he is able to catch up with her.

Insp. Monroe:

Did I hear you correctly back there June?

Sgt. Ackland:

I'm afraid so, Sir.

June and Andrew make their way quickly to a panda.

*** THE ALLEYWAY ***

Vicky and Cass pull up at the scene in the Area Car. The Ambulance hasn't arrived yet and Roz is bending over Polly trying to clean the blood from her face.

PC Hagen:

Cass, go and check on Roz. I'll see to Polly.

Cass nods and dashes towards Roz, escorting her away from the others. Roz looks over at Cass, shock just setting in.

PC Clarke:

I, it all happened so fast. It was all my fault...

PC Rickman:

How are you feeling, love? Did he touch you at all?

Roz is struggling for breath, her voice high pitched and small.

PC Clarke:

He, he I dunno. I erm, well he bumped into me. Pushed me up against a wall. I used my CS, he ran off. But I didn't know what had happened then. I wouldn't, I wouldn't have let him get away had I known, I didn't know!

Cass tries her best to calm Roz down.

PC Rickman:

Look, you'll be okay. Did you see what happened to Polly?

Roz shakes her head weakly as Cass escorts her back to the Area Car. Vicky kneels by Polly without any emotion showing on her face.

PC Hagen:

How are you feeling Poll?

Polly has managed to pull herself into a sitting position, one hand pressing down to stop the blood trickling from her forehead. Similarly to Roz, she is in shock, her voice dry and hoarse.

PC Page:

I, I'm ok. I just, it all happened so fast.

PC Hagen:

What exactly happened?

Vicky checks Polly for injuries.

PC Page:

Will you quit that, I said I'm okay!

PC Hagen:

Okay, I'm sorry.

Vicky stands back.

PC Hagen:

Your injuries don't seem to be too bad. Can you walk?

Polly cringes.

PC Page:

The way I'm feeling right now, I wouldn't wanna risk it.

Polly remains quietly composed for several minutes. Vicky stands up.

PC Hagen:

Damn, where's that ambulance?

Polly looks over at the worked up officer.

PC Page:

Vicky, calm down, will ya. I'm not dying, ya know.

PC Hagen:

I just want to get the animal that did this to ya, Poll.

Vicky breathes a sign of relief as she hears the ambulance's sirens approaching.

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