A Game Of Odds-Chapter Six
Title: A Game Of Odds Chap. 6
Rating: Blue Cortina for language and situations
Author: liquorishflame
Spoilers: Up until 2.8 for LOM for this series.
Chap. Summary: While Sam flounders, the UCOS team welcomes a local hero.
A/N: Some was beated by vicfarmer, some was not, because the story is all twisty like knickers after a 3 km run. Just a reminder for you all, I intend to post two to three times a week, Monday (maybe Wednesday) and Thursday.
Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five.
The water closed over him, the shock of the icy chill taking his breath away. Surprised bubbles of air flew to the surface as he started to sink into the murk, deeper and deeper into darkness. Closing his eyes, he thought he could see a white light, and hear someone calling his name-
'Sir!'
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see at Percy.
'What, what is it?'
'Look, sir...come away from the edge.'
Sam blinked and looked down, seeing his foot hovering in the air over the greedy spring current.
'...Right.' He moved slowly backwards, the younger man guiding him gently, but firmly, away from the edge.
'Am I here for a reason?' Sam muttered to himself as he started walking.
'Sorry sir?'
'Why am I here Percy? What, am, I, doing, here?' He turned to stare at the younger man, trying to intimidate him. But he didn't flinch.
'You tell me sir.'
'...What?'
The seagulls wheeled and circled overhead, screaming so loudly he could barely hear himself think.
'I know about your report sir.'
A small laugh was forced out of him, dry and painful. A report? 'Which report?'
'The psychiatrists report.'
Sam stopped walking and stood with his hands in his pockets, feeling the rage and bitterness fill his throat like bile.
'Go on.' he said, in a deceptively mild tone. 'Tell me what this... "report" says.'
'It said...that your interest in work, and in life, was-'
'Flagging? Lacking?'
Percy shrugged, and his offhand attitude pushed Sam beyond bearing.
'Well maybe that's because I came back to this. This life, if you can call it that, where even outside I feel like I'm in a bloody cage, where my head hurts all the time, and how everyday I wake up in a room that used to be a....wake up to an empty room, with the screams of people, who were my friends, echoing around me!' He was shouting, and people were looking, but he couldn't be bothered.
He got closer. 'You know what this life has to offer me? Nothing!' he said, cutting his hand through the air like a knife.
Taking a breath, he suddenly felt his heart pounding in his chest, and sweat pouring down his arms. It was as if he'd run a mile in a minute. Percy just stood there calm as ever. 'And what about Beth?' he finally said.
Sam felt his conviction falter. 'Beth?'
'What about justice for her, and for Theodore? Who will help them if you decide that the world will be a better place without you in it?'
Beth needed his help...no, no Beth would be fine, she didn't need an insane broken copper making things worse.
'This world doesn't need me. One small step for Sam,' he cracked a smile 'And I'll be back where I really belong.'
The DC threw up his arms in disgust, wrapping his hands around his head, before lowering them back to his sides, staring at him angrily.
'Do you honestly think, that topping yourself will...send you back?'
'Who's to say it wouldn't?'
'You can't afford to make that choice, sir! Don't you know what's happened?'
The DCI frowned, not understanding.
'Albert Pennywise is free.'
What? He shook his head. 'No, no it can't be!'
'Yes, he is! There was a prison riot a month ago, and he saved the life of a guard, at the risk of his own safety. When his parole next came up, the guard spoke on his behalf. Sir, I'm telling you, Albert Pennywise is a free man.'
Sam looked away, trying to bring his thoughts into order...
'Beth Pennywise....Where's she these days?'
Percy seemed calm again, but he could swear there was a satisfied gleam in those seemingly stoic eyes. So, DC Percy Clarke had hidden depths. He'd have to remember that.
'She's working at a health centre, in St. Johns Wood.' the younger man replied.
Sam raised his chin, squaring his shoulders.
'Right. Let's go see her.'
Jack and Gerry were at the white board writing up the points of the case, when they heard a step behind them. Turing around, expecting to see Clarke and Sam, they saw instead a tall man in a black fedora and a duster. He strolled in through the back door without so much as a "by your leave". Leaning up against it, he took out a toothpick and offered up a grin to the two of them.
'Rejoice oh ye multitudes, your savior has arrived.' the man proclaimed to the room.
'Well well, the prodigal returns.' Halford murmured, just as Sandra came out of her office. 'Gene!' she exclaimed, and went over to give the stranger a big hug.
Gerry shook his head. 'Who's this manc bastard then?'
'Technically Gerry, he's our bastard.' Jack said, breathing heavily out.
'The "b" word is a swear gents.' Brian pointed out smugly as he walked up behind them, holding out the coffee mug. 'Cough up a pound you two.'
Grumbling, they did so.
'Yeh, but who is he?' Gerry said, dropping a coin into the swear jar.
'Gene Hunt, former instructor at Hendon College of Police Training,' Brian replied. 'Former DCI in Manchester and the London Met. Demoted in 1973 due to an incident with a career criminal called Leslie Johns. He worked his way back up to DCI in 1979, transferred to the Met in 1980. Was reprieved of rank, and delegated a teachers position in 1981, over a scandal involving local politician, Gary Welkes. Retired in 1997, citing health reasons.' He finished, his brow furrowing.
Gerry frowned. 'What, not...not that Gene Hunt?! What, "The Unbreakable Man." , THAT Gene Hunt?!!'
'The very same.' Jack said, his tone neutral.
'Blo- er, flippin' 'eck!' Gerry said. The former DCI broke away from their CS and noticed their collective stares.
'I assume my reputation precedes me.' the man said, hooking his hands into his belt.
'Er...yeah. Nice ta meet yeh... Mr. Hunt.' Gerry said as Brian nodded and smiled.
The other man nodded, walking towards the whiteboard. 'Nice to meet you all, I'm sure. And nice to see you again Jack.' Jack nodded in acknowledgment. 'So! What have we got so far?'
'So far? Nothing then what we all all-ready know.' Jack replied.
Mr. Hunt nodded absently, looking at the various arrows and notes. 'What about Beth? Spoken to her?'
'Not as yet, but we were going to send a car 'round, bring her down to the station.' Gerry said ingratiatingly, causing both Brian and Jack to turn to look at him with raised eyebrows.
'That, will not be necessary.' said a clear voice from the top of the stairs. Turning, they saw an elegant blonde woman in her late forties, early fifties, poised there like a fashion model. She was tastefully dressed in a black pencil dress made of satin or silk that clung to her body in a complimentary fashion. Her hair fell to her shoulders in soft, gentle waves, and her lipstick was an bright, passionate red. Her eyes were hidden by large black vintage sunglasses, and as she groped for the stairway, it suddenly occurred to the team who it was they were looking at. The room was silent as Elizabeth Pennywise made her way slowly down the steps. Mr. Hunt was the first one to move.
' 'Ere love, take a seat.' he said as he carefully, almost tenderly, took her elbow, guiding over over to one of the blocky blue chairs. He stopped as she put up her hand.
'Thank you, but I'd prefer it if I could talk to your superior, in private. If that's possible?'
'Course it is love. Sandra?' The CS nodded, stepping forward.
'Yes, thank you Gene. Mrs. Pennywise, I'm pleased you were able to take the time to come down.'
Elizabeth cocked her head to the side, then suddenly smiled.
'Gene Hunt? I remember you! You were so kind, so understanding and gentle.'
Hunt chuckled as Brian, Sandra, Jack and Gerry exchanged glances. That certainly wasn't the sort of thing that they'd heard about Gene Hunt.
'I'm flattered that you remembered.' he said.
'CS Pullman...if it's all right with you, I'd like to speak about the...case with Mr. Hunt.'
Sandra paused momentarily, then recovered. 'Certainly, you can both use my office.'
Hunt guided Mrs. Pennywise to the door, and then shut it quietly behind them.
'Well...' Gerry drawled. 'Who knew that she'd be so...'
'Exactly.' said Jack, smiling at the door.
'It's a bit of luck, her remembering Mr. Hunt so well, make it easier to talk about the case.' Brian said.
'Yes...I'm sure it will.' Sandra said, an edge in her voice. 'Would somone please get me a fucking cup of coffee!'
'Ahem.' Gerry picked up the swear jar, and she dropped the coin in with ill grace, shooting a look towards the closed door of her office.
Beth smiled at him as she sat down in a chair opposite the desk.
'I know it's been a long time sir, but I could never forget the man who put my....husband where he finally belonged.' There was a tremor in her voice on the last, and her hand went up to stroke top edge of her sunglasses.
'Least I could do.' he said, looking down at his clenched hands.
'I'm here because I was told this was where the people working on his, on Teddy's case were.'
'Yeh....I don't know if you heard love, but Albert's out of prison. Good behavior an' all that malarky.'
She nodded, swallowing nervously.
'Yes...God help me. Such a violent, brutish man.' He smiled, impressed with the polish she'd gained over the years. Good for her, not letting the bastard grind her down.
'Never you fear, he won't get within three yards of yeh before he's swarmed by coppers.'
Beth nodded, then leaned forward, and anxious look on her face.
'Why have you re-opened the case? That's what I don't understand, after what he did to me, to my little boy.....'
'Urm....first thing that Bertie said when he got out...was it was someone else that shot Teddy.'
Beth looked shocked. '....What does this mean?'
'What it means...is that he's saying he's innocent.' Hunt said reluctantly.
Beth shook her head, over and over, more and more vigorously. 'No, no, no!'
She stood up, breathing heavily, her hands clawing the air in front of her. Standing up from behind the desk, he walked quickly over, carefully grabbing her hands. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
'....Oh God! God, why Teddy, Albert, why?!'
'There there now petal, just breath easy.' Gene said, stroking her hair.
'I've thought about that night over and over Mr. Hunt! If I could go back, if I could turn back the clock, I would have made sure it didn't happen! I would have stopped him!' she sobbed into his shirt.
'Never you fear love, we'll set it right, you'll see.' He made sure that his voice was soft and calming, although he could feel the anger coursing through him. He'd seen justice done before, and if he had to, he'd see it done again.
Sam got out of the car, slamming the door carelessly, his jaw set as he walked towards the front entrance of the health centre. As he did so, he looked up to the sign above the front door and did a double take.
'Percy...'
The younger man smiled. 'Clarke, please call me Clarke sir. I hate the name Percy.'
'All right then...Clarke. Are you taking the piss?'
'No, I really do hate Percy, it's a terrible name.'
'Not that! This...this is where Mrs. Pennywise works?'
Percy nodded, looking puzzled. 'Yes sir.'
'Are you sure of that?'
'Yes sir, why?'
The DCI continued to look up, a mocking smile curving his lips.
'Sometimes Percy....I think the universe is having one big laugh at me.'
Sam shook his head as he and DC Clarke walked into the Hyde Health Centre For Children.
Chapter Seven.
Rating: Blue Cortina for language and situations
Author: liquorishflame
Spoilers: Up until 2.8 for LOM for this series.
Chap. Summary: While Sam flounders, the UCOS team welcomes a local hero.
A/N: Some was beated by vicfarmer, some was not, because the story is all twisty like knickers after a 3 km run. Just a reminder for you all, I intend to post two to three times a week, Monday (maybe Wednesday) and Thursday.
Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five.
The water closed over him, the shock of the icy chill taking his breath away. Surprised bubbles of air flew to the surface as he started to sink into the murk, deeper and deeper into darkness. Closing his eyes, he thought he could see a white light, and hear someone calling his name-
'Sir!'
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see at Percy.
'What, what is it?'
'Look, sir...come away from the edge.'
Sam blinked and looked down, seeing his foot hovering in the air over the greedy spring current.
'...Right.' He moved slowly backwards, the younger man guiding him gently, but firmly, away from the edge.
'Am I here for a reason?' Sam muttered to himself as he started walking.
'Sorry sir?'
'Why am I here Percy? What, am, I, doing, here?' He turned to stare at the younger man, trying to intimidate him. But he didn't flinch.
'You tell me sir.'
'...What?'
The seagulls wheeled and circled overhead, screaming so loudly he could barely hear himself think.
'I know about your report sir.'
A small laugh was forced out of him, dry and painful. A report? 'Which report?'
'The psychiatrists report.'
Sam stopped walking and stood with his hands in his pockets, feeling the rage and bitterness fill his throat like bile.
'Go on.' he said, in a deceptively mild tone. 'Tell me what this... "report" says.'
'It said...that your interest in work, and in life, was-'
'Flagging? Lacking?'
Percy shrugged, and his offhand attitude pushed Sam beyond bearing.
'Well maybe that's because I came back to this. This life, if you can call it that, where even outside I feel like I'm in a bloody cage, where my head hurts all the time, and how everyday I wake up in a room that used to be a....wake up to an empty room, with the screams of people, who were my friends, echoing around me!' He was shouting, and people were looking, but he couldn't be bothered.
He got closer. 'You know what this life has to offer me? Nothing!' he said, cutting his hand through the air like a knife.
Taking a breath, he suddenly felt his heart pounding in his chest, and sweat pouring down his arms. It was as if he'd run a mile in a minute. Percy just stood there calm as ever. 'And what about Beth?' he finally said.
Sam felt his conviction falter. 'Beth?'
'What about justice for her, and for Theodore? Who will help them if you decide that the world will be a better place without you in it?'
Beth needed his help...no, no Beth would be fine, she didn't need an insane broken copper making things worse.
'This world doesn't need me. One small step for Sam,' he cracked a smile 'And I'll be back where I really belong.'
The DC threw up his arms in disgust, wrapping his hands around his head, before lowering them back to his sides, staring at him angrily.
'Do you honestly think, that topping yourself will...send you back?'
'Who's to say it wouldn't?'
'You can't afford to make that choice, sir! Don't you know what's happened?'
The DCI frowned, not understanding.
'Albert Pennywise is free.'
What? He shook his head. 'No, no it can't be!'
'Yes, he is! There was a prison riot a month ago, and he saved the life of a guard, at the risk of his own safety. When his parole next came up, the guard spoke on his behalf. Sir, I'm telling you, Albert Pennywise is a free man.'
Sam looked away, trying to bring his thoughts into order...
'Beth Pennywise....Where's she these days?'
Percy seemed calm again, but he could swear there was a satisfied gleam in those seemingly stoic eyes. So, DC Percy Clarke had hidden depths. He'd have to remember that.
'She's working at a health centre, in St. Johns Wood.' the younger man replied.
Sam raised his chin, squaring his shoulders.
'Right. Let's go see her.'
Jack and Gerry were at the white board writing up the points of the case, when they heard a step behind them. Turing around, expecting to see Clarke and Sam, they saw instead a tall man in a black fedora and a duster. He strolled in through the back door without so much as a "by your leave". Leaning up against it, he took out a toothpick and offered up a grin to the two of them.
'Rejoice oh ye multitudes, your savior has arrived.' the man proclaimed to the room.
'Well well, the prodigal returns.' Halford murmured, just as Sandra came out of her office. 'Gene!' she exclaimed, and went over to give the stranger a big hug.
Gerry shook his head. 'Who's this manc bastard then?'
'Technically Gerry, he's our bastard.' Jack said, breathing heavily out.
'The "b" word is a swear gents.' Brian pointed out smugly as he walked up behind them, holding out the coffee mug. 'Cough up a pound you two.'
Grumbling, they did so.
'Yeh, but who is he?' Gerry said, dropping a coin into the swear jar.
'Gene Hunt, former instructor at Hendon College of Police Training,' Brian replied. 'Former DCI in Manchester and the London Met. Demoted in 1973 due to an incident with a career criminal called Leslie Johns. He worked his way back up to DCI in 1979, transferred to the Met in 1980. Was reprieved of rank, and delegated a teachers position in 1981, over a scandal involving local politician, Gary Welkes. Retired in 1997, citing health reasons.' He finished, his brow furrowing.
Gerry frowned. 'What, not...not that Gene Hunt?! What, "The Unbreakable Man." , THAT Gene Hunt?!!'
'The very same.' Jack said, his tone neutral.
'Blo- er, flippin' 'eck!' Gerry said. The former DCI broke away from their CS and noticed their collective stares.
'I assume my reputation precedes me.' the man said, hooking his hands into his belt.
'Er...yeah. Nice ta meet yeh... Mr. Hunt.' Gerry said as Brian nodded and smiled.
The other man nodded, walking towards the whiteboard. 'Nice to meet you all, I'm sure. And nice to see you again Jack.' Jack nodded in acknowledgment. 'So! What have we got so far?'
'So far? Nothing then what we all all-ready know.' Jack replied.
Mr. Hunt nodded absently, looking at the various arrows and notes. 'What about Beth? Spoken to her?'
'Not as yet, but we were going to send a car 'round, bring her down to the station.' Gerry said ingratiatingly, causing both Brian and Jack to turn to look at him with raised eyebrows.
'That, will not be necessary.' said a clear voice from the top of the stairs. Turning, they saw an elegant blonde woman in her late forties, early fifties, poised there like a fashion model. She was tastefully dressed in a black pencil dress made of satin or silk that clung to her body in a complimentary fashion. Her hair fell to her shoulders in soft, gentle waves, and her lipstick was an bright, passionate red. Her eyes were hidden by large black vintage sunglasses, and as she groped for the stairway, it suddenly occurred to the team who it was they were looking at. The room was silent as Elizabeth Pennywise made her way slowly down the steps. Mr. Hunt was the first one to move.
' 'Ere love, take a seat.' he said as he carefully, almost tenderly, took her elbow, guiding over over to one of the blocky blue chairs. He stopped as she put up her hand.
'Thank you, but I'd prefer it if I could talk to your superior, in private. If that's possible?'
'Course it is love. Sandra?' The CS nodded, stepping forward.
'Yes, thank you Gene. Mrs. Pennywise, I'm pleased you were able to take the time to come down.'
Elizabeth cocked her head to the side, then suddenly smiled.
'Gene Hunt? I remember you! You were so kind, so understanding and gentle.'
Hunt chuckled as Brian, Sandra, Jack and Gerry exchanged glances. That certainly wasn't the sort of thing that they'd heard about Gene Hunt.
'I'm flattered that you remembered.' he said.
'CS Pullman...if it's all right with you, I'd like to speak about the...case with Mr. Hunt.'
Sandra paused momentarily, then recovered. 'Certainly, you can both use my office.'
Hunt guided Mrs. Pennywise to the door, and then shut it quietly behind them.
'Well...' Gerry drawled. 'Who knew that she'd be so...'
'Exactly.' said Jack, smiling at the door.
'It's a bit of luck, her remembering Mr. Hunt so well, make it easier to talk about the case.' Brian said.
'Yes...I'm sure it will.' Sandra said, an edge in her voice. 'Would somone please get me a fucking cup of coffee!'
'Ahem.' Gerry picked up the swear jar, and she dropped the coin in with ill grace, shooting a look towards the closed door of her office.
Beth smiled at him as she sat down in a chair opposite the desk.
'I know it's been a long time sir, but I could never forget the man who put my....husband where he finally belonged.' There was a tremor in her voice on the last, and her hand went up to stroke top edge of her sunglasses.
'Least I could do.' he said, looking down at his clenched hands.
'I'm here because I was told this was where the people working on his, on Teddy's case were.'
'Yeh....I don't know if you heard love, but Albert's out of prison. Good behavior an' all that malarky.'
She nodded, swallowing nervously.
'Yes...God help me. Such a violent, brutish man.' He smiled, impressed with the polish she'd gained over the years. Good for her, not letting the bastard grind her down.
'Never you fear, he won't get within three yards of yeh before he's swarmed by coppers.'
Beth nodded, then leaned forward, and anxious look on her face.
'Why have you re-opened the case? That's what I don't understand, after what he did to me, to my little boy.....'
'Urm....first thing that Bertie said when he got out...was it was someone else that shot Teddy.'
Beth looked shocked. '....What does this mean?'
'What it means...is that he's saying he's innocent.' Hunt said reluctantly.
Beth shook her head, over and over, more and more vigorously. 'No, no, no!'
She stood up, breathing heavily, her hands clawing the air in front of her. Standing up from behind the desk, he walked quickly over, carefully grabbing her hands. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
'....Oh God! God, why Teddy, Albert, why?!'
'There there now petal, just breath easy.' Gene said, stroking her hair.
'I've thought about that night over and over Mr. Hunt! If I could go back, if I could turn back the clock, I would have made sure it didn't happen! I would have stopped him!' she sobbed into his shirt.
'Never you fear love, we'll set it right, you'll see.' He made sure that his voice was soft and calming, although he could feel the anger coursing through him. He'd seen justice done before, and if he had to, he'd see it done again.
Sam got out of the car, slamming the door carelessly, his jaw set as he walked towards the front entrance of the health centre. As he did so, he looked up to the sign above the front door and did a double take.
'Percy...'
The younger man smiled. 'Clarke, please call me Clarke sir. I hate the name Percy.'
'All right then...Clarke. Are you taking the piss?'
'No, I really do hate Percy, it's a terrible name.'
'Not that! This...this is where Mrs. Pennywise works?'
Percy nodded, looking puzzled. 'Yes sir.'
'Are you sure of that?'
'Yes sir, why?'
The DCI continued to look up, a mocking smile curving his lips.
'Sometimes Percy....I think the universe is having one big laugh at me.'
Sam shook his head as he and DC Clarke walked into the Hyde Health Centre For Children.
Chapter Seven.