�That�s what I think it is, isn�t it?�
�I�m afraid so�maybe we shouldn�t sign you out ju��
�I�m going in. I�m not signing out yet.� Her stubborn side kicked in.
�I�I don�t think that�s wise Shee��
�I�m going. Thanks for the lift.� She got out of the car, walked into custody. There was a wall of officers standing glaring at the men standing at the custody desk. Sheelagh pushed in beside Eva Sharpe.
�Are they who I think they are?�
�Yup.� Eva�s eyes didn�t leave the men�s backs. �Sid Wright and Paul Baker. Just out of gaol a month back�� The men turned round, as they were led down to the cells by the custody officer. Sheelagh scowled.
�You�re going down.� Wright looked sharply at her. He recognised her voice, saw her epaulettes to be the officer who he had radioed the message to.
�So what, pig. I still got one of yours!�
�That�s enough!� Gina Gold snapped, and helped Smithy push the crooks cell-wards. �Sheelagh? My office. Now.� There was a scowl on her face as well. Sheelagh turned to walk, June, who had just witnessed this fiasco, took her arm, and guided her along the station corridors. As they came to the Inspectors office, Sheelagh turned.
�Thanks June, I appreciate this.�
�I won�t tell anyone� about the mortuary, I mean.� The Irish voice sighed.
�It�ll have to come out. How can I hide my upset from Patrick? The station will know� they always do.� Depression cut through her voice, making it dull and heavy.
June saw Gina stalking towards them and made a hasty exit.
�In. Sit down.� Gina nodded towards the door.
�What did you mean by disappearing earlier? Why did you go to St Hughes? May I remind you that you are not CID, and therefore not on this case? As for your conduct in custody�care to explain yourself?� Sheelagh stared at her, hardly comprehending her words.
�I�I��
�Yes?� Gina lit up, and took a drag on her cigar. �I�m waiting, Sergeant Murphy.�
�Des is�was one of my relief. I�er�wanted to know for myself what happened. I was�shocked. I�m sorry.� Gina didn�t believe a word of it.
�I�ve already guessed there was something going on. My problem is, you left the station with only one uniform sergeant, an even newer one to the job than you are. It�s not like you Sheelagh, I was surprised. As for the incident in custody, I realise you�re upset, but you can�t let your personal feelings get in the way of your job�� Gina got up and went to her filing cabinet. ��after all, we want to nail these guys and nail them good.�
�Yes ma�am.� Sheelagh wasn�t capable of saying much more.
�Now I�ve got the lecture over�whisky? You look like you need a double.�
�Oh! Ahh, yes, please.� Sheelagh stared at the glass in front of her.
�Have to keep up standards, show the PCs the tough side.� Suddenly Gina became the caring friend once more, instead of the starchy Inspector. �Tell me about it.�
�What�oh, you mean, Des.� Realisation dawned on Sgt Murphy, that Gina Gold was a very curious woman!
�It was only a kiss, last night. It was my fault, but I told him it was nothing this morning, and then�and then��
*4am, Sheelagh�s bedroom.
She woke with a start, sweating hard, and breathing fast. What had happened? Her hand went out to Patrick, fast asleep. A dream. It was a dream. Wasn�t it? She had to see him, make sure he was ok� Sheelagh realised she needed to make some decisions about her life. She glanced at her watch. 4 o�clock. She�d have to be getting up in an hour anyway; Patrick was that fast asleep that he wouldn�t notice. Slipping out of bed, the petite blonde grabbed a top and trousers from her wardrobe, and tiptoed into the bathroom to dress. Ten minutes later, she was locking the front door, and running down the path. Des� flat? Where was it�she thought she could find it in the early morning light.
�4.30am, Des� flat.
**riiiiiiiiiiiiiiing** Des cursed the alarm� then realised it wasn�t the stupid thing. He rolled over. It was the door bell. Who called on a person at 4.30 in the morning, he scowled, looking at his watch.
�Des! Please, open up!� he heard as he was about to cover his ears with his pillow.
Voice. Female voice. Who�not�Sheelagh?! His curiosity got the better of him.
�Awright, alright, I�m coming.� He blundered towards the front door of the flat. Sheelagh it was, and she grabbed him the second he opened the door.
�Sheelagh!� Shock was written all over Des� bewildered face. �Why�� She looked at him fearfully.
�I�woke up, and� suddenly needed you.� She didn�t want to explain the nightmare.
�And you came here? At this time?� He hugged her tightly to him, surprised at how clingy she was. �Come on in.� He led her towards the kitchen.
�I need to be with you.� It had taken a cup of strong coffee to get the admission out of Sheelagh. �But I can�t leave the family. Can you cope with that?�
�Cope with it?� She couldn�t make out the look on his face, she feared he would say no. �Of course I can darlin�!�
**To be continued, at some point!**
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