*** PANDA AT SCENE - 12:00 AM ***

Insp. Monroe:

What exactly did she say, June?

June screeches the car to a halt, looking over at him.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well it was pretty garbled, understandably. She just said that Polly'd been raped.

Insp. Monroe:

But are you sure she said that Polly was raped? You couldn't have misheard?

June scoffs.

Sgt. Ackland:

It's pretty distinctive, Sir.

Insp. Monroe:

Of course.

Andrew puts on his hat as he steps out of the car and June follows him over to the crime scene.

Insp. Monroe:

What's the situation, Vicky?

Vicky takes a deep breath.

PC Hagen:

Polly's been raped, sir. The medics are seeing to her now.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well does anyone know anything else? Where's Roz and Cass?

PC Hagen:

They're over in the ambulance now I think. Would you like me to stay and guard the crime scene, sir?

Andrew nods.

Insp. Monroe:

I'd appreciate that Vicky.

June raises an eyebrow.

Sgt. Ackland:

Ain't clues as to who did this?

Vicky shakes her head.

PC Hagen:

Not unless the bastard left any DNA evidence behind and given how roughed up Polly looks there's a good chance of it.

Insp. Monroe:

Thank you Vicky.

Andrew and June walk towards Polly. The medics are tending to her but she struggles to get up when she sees Andrew and June. He kneels down next to Polly.

Insp. Monroe:

Did you see who did this to you, Polly?

Polly looks momentarily lost for words.

PC Page:

It all happened to fast though. I really only heard his voice.

Polly pauses thinking back.

Insp. Monroe:

What did it sound like? Did it sound familiar?

PC Page:

I was running ahead of Roz, chasing a suspect on foot. I could still see the suspect, so there must have been two of them, when I bumped into something. I saw Roz go running past me, while he held a hand over my mouth. It was pitch black, Sir. I mean, he mightn't have even known I was a copper or nothing. He was pretty big though. At least six foot and heavy build. I'm sorry, there's nothing else to go on.

Andrew nods slowly.

Insp. Monroe:

Did you see whether he was black or white?

Polly shakes her head.

PC Page:

I couldn't see anything, Sir. He sounded pretty young though. Early twenties I'd say.

Andrew looks across at the paramedics.

Insp. Monroe:

Are you taking her to St Hughes?

The Paramedic nods.

Paramedic:

She's not too injured, surprisingly enough.

Andrew turns to June.

Insp. Monroe:

Are you okay to go with Polly in the ambulance, June?

June looks up slightly surprised.

Sgt. Ackland:

Oh, of course, Sir.

Insp. Monroe:

Good. I'll go back to the station and inform Mr Brownlow and the rest of the relief about what's happened.

PC Page:

Roz, is she, is she okay, Sir? I think she was pretty shook up.

Insp. Monroe:

Andrew walks back over to his car and drives off as Polly is loaded into the ambulance.

*** INSPECTOR'S OFFICE - SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 12:45 AM ***

Andrew looks up as the door opens and the Superintendent enters the room, his arms folded.

Supt. Chandler:

What is so important that you had to get me out of bed at midnight to come to the station, Andrew?

Tom takes a seat opposite the Inspector and glares at him. Andrew clears his throat, deciding to by blunt with the senior officer.

Insp. Monroe:

Polly Page, Sir. I'm afraid she was attacked this evening, while on duty. She was raped.

Tom's face remains emotionless.

Supt. Chandler:

Do we have the details of what happened?

Insp. Monroe:

Not really at the moment. She and Roz Clarke were on three beat when after hearing some scuffling taking place, followed a man through an alley off Siskin Road. Roz go to the end of the alley and lost the suspect and realised that Polly wasn't behind her. She when back, was assaulted by the rapist, used her CS, then managed to lose him. According to Polly, she was grabbed while running down the alley and held until Roz had passed her. She was then assaulted and after five minutes or so, found by PC Clarke.

Tom nods slowly.

Supt. Chandler:

How many people know about this?

Insp. Monroe:

Well I've just finished an emergency briefing, so the relief knows. June, Vicky, Roz and Cass are all at St Hugh's.

Andrew pauses uncomfortably again.

Insp. Monroe:

We still need to inform her parents.

Supt. Chandler:

Leave that to me. The press hasn't found out have they?

Insp. Monroe:

No, not as yet, Sir. But give them time.

Andrew clears his throat again.

Insp. Monroe:

Shall I come with you, Sir?

Supt. Chandler:

Forget it, Andrew. You need to stay here and co-ordinate things. Make sure the press doesn't find out, this is a potential public relations disaster!

Andrew nods crisply.

Insp. Monroe:

Right, Sir. I'm glad to see you have your priorities in order.

Tom looks at Andrew with contempt.

Supt. Chandler:

We can't afford to neglect the wider picture when things like this happen, Andrew. Is there anything else I should know?

Andrew adds a hint of facetiousness to his voice.

Insp. Monroe:

Oh, yes, now that you mention it. PC Page is going to be fine. She's not been injured.

Andrew narrows his eyes as he continues.

Insp. Monroe:

Just thought her mother might appreciate that one.

Tom stands up and leaves the room without replying.

*** RAPE SUITE - ST HUGH'S - 12:50 AM ***

Doctor Blake:

You can take a shower now.

The doctor picks up the mat from beneath Polly's feet and gives her a small smile. Polly glances over at June, almost with a hint of humour in her voice.

PC Page:

You'd think I'd know the procedure by now, wouldn't ya.

June looks back at Polly, reassuringly.

Doctor Blake:

It can't be easy for you, being on the other side for once.

Polly shrugs, reaching for the towels and heading down the corridor.

PC Page:

I'm ok. Really.

Sgt. Ackland:

Just take you time Poll. We'll be out here when you're done.

Polly nods and quietly slips into the bathroom. June turns back to the doctor. She sighs and takes a seat at the nearby table.

Sgt. Ackland:

Think she's taking this better than anyone else really.

The doctor nods.

Doctor Blake:

Well fortunately it was pretty straightforward. I've seen some shocking cases in my time but this wasn't much worse than a bit of rough sex.

June shrugs lightly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well I guess that's some good news. What about DNA evidence?

Doctor Blake:

There are several hairs from the attacker's body that I managed to collect. Plus some skin fragments and clothing fibres. There were traces of blood under her fingernails and traces of semen on her thighs.

June nods glumly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well at least that's some good news.

Doctor Blake:

It was pretty brutal but from what I can see I don't think the attacker was particularly experienced in terms of rape. He was too careless. More professional rapists are careful to take precautions.

The doctor holds up the plastic bag containing samples of the attacker's hair and looks at them carefully.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well surely once we run in through DNA profiling we'll be able to get a result?

Doctor Blake:

We can always hope so. It's a scary thought that this can happen to people like Polly. I've worked with her before on rape cases and if not even the police are safe from this then it could be any one of us next.

Sgt. Ackland:

Yeah and from what I gather of the situation, it was in no way premeditated. She seems to be handling it pretty well though.

Doctor Blake:

Indeed. I hope that I'd be able to take it so calmly were our positions reversed.

The doctor sighs and gets to her feet. June replies softly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Tell me about it. I'd be a right mess.

Doctor Blake:

Same here. Well, I'd better get these samples off to the lab for testing. Are you alright to look after Polly from now on? Maybe you could ask her to stay the night with you if you have a spare room?

Sgt. Ackland:

I think I'll offer to stay over at her flat for a few nights. A little familiarity would help.

Doctor Blake:

Well, you know her better than I do. You might want to check on her a couple of times during the night. Quite often suicide attempts are one of the after-effects of rape. I know it's not very likely considering her work as a Rape Counselling Officer but it's always the quiet ones that you should watch the most. She's bottling everything up and that's not healthy.

June looks taken-aback.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well if you say so but I seriously doubt it.

Doctor Blake:

Stranger things have happened. I just don't want to see Polly ending up like the last girl I treated. She washed up down at Canley docks a few days after she threw herself off a jetty into the Thames.

The doctor walks briskly out of the room.

*** THE PAGE RESIDENCE - 1:30 AM ***

Tom pulls up in his car outside the house, briskly walks up to the front door and rings the bell. Bill slowly opens the door, looking slightly annoyed at having been woken at such an early hour.

Supt. Chandler:

Mr Page?

Bill Page:

Yes?

Bill looks confused at the well turned-out man on his doorstep.

Supt. Chandler:

I'm Superintendent Tom Chandler, from Sun Hill. I wonder if I could have a talk with you about your daughter, PC Page.

Tom holds out his warrant card. Bill looks from the card to the officer's face, realisation dawning on him.

Bill Page:

Something's happened, hasn't it? You'd better come inside.

Bill shows Tom into the house, where upon his wife joins them in the living room.

Supt. Chandler:

My apologies for this intrusion. I tried to ring beforehand to tell you that I was on my way but I didn't get an answer.

Anne steps forward, curious.

Anne Page:

Who are you? What is all this about?

Supt. Chandler:

I am the Superintendent at Sun Hill Police Station, Mrs Page. I'm afraid that I have some bad news concerning your daughter.

Anne takes a seat slowly next to her husband, her face paling.

Anne Page:

Polly? What's happened? Is she all right?

Tom takes a deep breath.

Supt. Chandler:

There's no easy way to say this. Your daughter was out on the beat tonight paired with another female officer. They noticed a disturbance and they became separated. The other officer was fine but Polly...

Tom's voice becomes very low.

Supt. Chandler:

I'm sorry but Polly was raped by the other suspect.

Bill takes his wife's hand quickly, looking across at Chandler in disbelief.

Bill Page:

Raped? But how, I mean, how did this happen? Is she all right?

Anne bursts into tears on her husband's words.

Supt. Chandler:

I'm afraid that the man who did this escaped. The other officer tried to stop him but she too was assaulted.

Anne finds her voice, looking desperately at the officer.

Anne Page:

But Polly, is she, is she okay?

Supt. Chandler:

She's been injured but she has been taken to Saint Hughes. I don't think her injuries are too bad.

Bill Page:

You don't think? You mean you don't know?

Bill looks slightly mortified. Tom replies smoothly.

Supt. Chandler:

I am going to visit Polly later on to check on her condition but I thought that you should know first. I would be happy to give you a lift to the hospital if you wish to see her.

Bill gets to his feet, with a brief nod.

Bill Page:

Right. Thank-you. Come on love, let's get ready.

Anne nods slowly, making her way back to their room.

*** CORRIDOR - ST HUGH'S- 2:10 AM ***

June and Polly are walking from the Rape Suite to the main entrance of the hospital.

Sgt. Ackland:

You sure you don't wanna spend a few days at my place? Just until you're feeling a bit better?

PC Page:

No, look, I'll be fine. Honestly, I'm okay.

Polly shivers slightly as the two women keep walking.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well at least let me stay with you? I don't think you should be on your own.

Polly hesitates then acquiesces.

PC Page:

All right but I don't need you mothering me June. I can handle this myself.

June smiles lightly.

Sgt. Ackland:

Whatever you say Poll.

Polly gulps.

PC Page:

Thanks June, I really appreciate all you've done tonight.

Sgt. Ackland:

Don't be silly, Polly. It's the least I can do.

Polly smiles at June.

PC Page:

Fancy me being in this position. I've helped so many women get through this but I don't have a clue what to do now that it's me in their shoes.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well just take it one day at a time. Don't expect anything of yourself and remember, I'm always here if you wanna talk. Okay?

Polly nods.

PC Page:

I know. Thanks, Sarge.

Polly and June walk out into the hospital reception area and are about to leave when they hear a cry from the entrance. Bill and Anne rush over to their daughter.

Anne Page:

Oh, sweetie, what happened? Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?

Polly shakes her head.

PC Page:

I'm okay Mum, there's no need to overreact.

Anne Page:

But are you ok? He didn't tell us anything. How did this happen!

PC Page:

Look, calm down. If I'm not getting worked up about it then neither should you.

Tom walks into the room. He looks rather uncomfortable when he spots Polly but he joins the group regardless.

Supt. Chandler:

How are you feeling, Polly?

Polly is surprised to see Chandler.

PC Page:

I'm fine, sir.

Supt. Chandler:

That's good to hear. Your parents were very concerned about you.

Polly looks at her parents.

PC Page:

Don't worry, Mum, I'm fine, honestly I am.

Anne looks sorrowfully at her daughter, no words being exchanged as she steps forward, hugging Polly tightly.

Anne Page:

I'm so sorry sweetie.

PC Page:

It's okay Mum. Don't worry, they'll get the bastard that did this.

Anne turns sharply back to the Superintendent.

Anne Page:

They will, won't they.

Tom finds himself put on the spot.

Supt. Chandler:

Of course we will, Mrs Page. We have officers out there now looking for him. He won't escape.

Bill motions for he and Chandler to separate from the women, while they fuss over Polly.

Bill Page:

Now, you meant what you said back there I take it.

Supt. Chandler:

Of course I did, Mr Page. We don't hold anything back when it's one of our own in the firing line.

Tom is sweating uncomfortably.

Bill Page:

Well you just bloody make sure you do, ya hear! Or they'll be hell to pay!

Tom nods slowly.

Supt. Chandler:

Look, I can understand how upset you must be Mr Page but yelling at me isn't going to help matters, is it?

Bill lowers his voice.

Bill Page:

I'm not yelling at you. I'm simply ensuring that you do your job and don't just sweep this under the carpet to save man hours. Do we understand each-other?

Supt. Chandler:

Of course. I'll make every effort to bring this man to justice. Just calm down, Mr Page, you'll give yourself a heart attack if you keep carrying on like that.

Bill turns, giving Chandler a cold stare.

Bill Page:

Just see that you do.

Bill walks back across to the women, leaving Tom standing alone.

Sgt. Ackland:

Anyway, you don't have to worry Mrs Page, I'll spend the next few days at Polly's, make sure she's all right.

PC Page:

Would you stop mothering me, June? One mother here is enough!

Polly smiles at her friend. June shakes her head with a smile.

Sgt. Ackland:

Ok, enough said!

Polly looks longingly towards the exit.

PC Page:

Look, I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay Mum? Dad? What I need most right now is a warm bed and a cup of hot cocoa.

Anne Page:

Okay, love. If you're sure.

PC Page:

I'm sure, Mum.

Polly and June head towards the exit.

Anne Page:

Bye Poll.

Polly turns around and smiles at her parents, nods to Tom then leaves the building with June.

** OCTOBER 11TH **

*** POLLY'S FLAT - 9:10 AM ***

June walks out of her room and pauses, surprised to hear sounds of movement from downstairs.

Sgt. Ackland:

Polly? Are you awake?

PC Page:

Yes, Sarge!

Polly continues making the coffee. June shakes her head and walks down the stairs.

Sgt. Ackland:

How many times do I have to tell you, Polly. When we're off duty it's "June" not "Sarge".

June walks into the kitchen and is surprised to see Polly eating a hearty breakfast.

Sgt. Ackland:

I wasn't expecting to see you up until well past lunchtime, Polly.

Polly sighs.

PC Page:

I was sick of lying there staring up at the ceiling. Can't see I got much sleep but that's to be expected I suppose.

June walks over to the kettle and is surprised to find it full and hot.

PC Page:

I made a cup for you, if you want it.

Polly gestures towards the white mug. June sits down opposite Polly, surprised at how well she is acting.

Sgt. Ackland:

How are you feeling this morning?

Polly shrugs.

PC Page:

Not too bad, bit of a headache though.

June stirs her coffee.

Sgt. Ackland:

Can you remember what happened last night?

Polly looks up with a slight shake of her head.

PC Page:

Not really. I mean, I remember a few more things about him.

Polly pauses.

Sgt. Ackland:

It's okay Polly. I'm just being my usual nosy self.

June takes a sip from her cup.

PC Page:

He seemed pretty, I dunno, uptight about it all, like it wasn't planned. I'd probably recognise his voice, too. Not exactly something you forget. He was really angry too but not really at me. It's hard to explain. I remember him saying: 'Now I'm the one in control", that seemed really important to him. It's stupid, isn't it. I shoulda done something different. Shoulda stayed with Roz, I dunno. Maybe I shoulda put up more of a fight but I thought I'd come off worse if I did. I was just shocked, ya know. You don't expect something like this to just happen! In the space of a few minutes! I mean, it just doesn't happen!

June nods uncomfortably.

Sgt. Ackland:

Unfortunately it does happen. Have you come to terms with it yet, Poll?

Polly scoffs lightly.

PC Page:

Now there's a no-go question, June.

June shrugs her shoulders.

Sgt. Ackland:

Go counsel yourself then!

June smiles at her friend. Polly bursts into giggles, looking up at June.

PC Page:

Thanks.

Sgt. Ackland:

Look, it'll be okay Polly. I'm sure they will have caught him by tonight and when they do, you'll be the first to know.

June pats Polly's hand encouragingly.

PC Page:

Yeah, bet the whole relief have got a one-tracked mind out there today.

Sgt. Ackland:

At least it's one-tracked about something important for once. Get the men's minds off that lorry load of strippers that came into custody the other day in their working clothes.

June finishes her coffee.

PC Page:

Well anything's better than that, ain't it.

June gets up and dumps her mug in the sink.

Sgt. Ackland:

I think we'll probably have to go in today so you can make a statement. I wonder who will be in charge of the case?

PC Page:

Someone in CID, no doubt. Just hope it's not Mickey or someone like that. Might be Liz, actually. Quite nice having her back, don't you think?

Sgt. Ackland:

Yeah, it's nice to see Liz again. She makes a good DS. She's certainly a breath of fresh air from most detectives I know!

PC Page:

Especially the ones we've got at the moment.

June washes out her mug and returns to the table.

Sgt. Ackland:

So what are you plans for the rest of the day, Poll?

PC Page:

Probably mope around the station, drinking way too many cups of tea.

Sgt. Ackland:

Well it's what the men do best, buying the plonks cups of tea. Makes them feel useful.

June rests her hand on Polly's shoulder.

Sgt. Ackland:

Just take it easy, okay?

PC Page:

Course I will, you'll be hovering around me any chance you get anyway!

June smiles and walks upstairs, leaving Polly to finish her breakfast.

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