Fic: The Art of Being Lost and Found (30/?), blue cortina, dakfinv
Title: The Art of Being Lost and Found (30/?)
Author: dak
Word Count: 1460 (this part); (43,258 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: references to abortion
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
A/N: So, I originally thought this was going to end at around 50,000 words. Just wanted to let you know I was totally wrong about that. Sorry. Please enjoy!
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29
“Time for him to take these,” Ray passed a handful of pills to Phyllis.
“What’re they for?” she asked, staring at the capsules suspiciously.
“Don’t know.”
“But you’re making him take ‘em?”
“Look, I’ve taken enough lip from Carter, Cartwright, and the rest of this bloody station. I don’t need it from you, too, ‘specially since you actually like him here. Just wake him up and shove ‘em down his gob.”
Phyllis’ face was already locked in a scowl when she looked down at Sam, who was sleeping peacefully on the locker room settee.
“Some of those bruises, they’re older than a few days,” she commented, staring sadly at the sleeping man.
“I know,” Ray sighed.
“Why’d you bring him here?” she asked quietly.
Ray gazed at the floor. He hadn’t been going to tell anyone else, but if there was one person who would sniff out the truth, it was a bulldog like Phyllis Dobbs. Ray knew he wouldn’t earn any favors by lying to her, and she was a good ally to have on his side. Phyllis despised Litton and had no respect for Carter. Plus, she could keep her mouth shut. So, Ray opened his.
“He’s been helping us look for the Guv.”
“The Guv?” she asked, for once sounding surprised.
“Keep your voice down,” he shushed her. “Gene had been going to see him,” he nodded to Sam.
“Good. He should’ve been. I take it DI Tyler’s found summat useful then, if you’ve gone to all this trouble.”
“Somewhat,” Ray admitted. “Guv might be in London.”
“Is it summat to do with the affair?”
Ray nearly choked on his gum.
“How’d you know about that?” he asked once he had recovered.
“How did I...? DS Carling, how many years have I known Vera Hunt?” she chided him, crossing her arms.
“So...you know Vera was having cheating?”
“I know they both were,” she crossed her arms. “Couldn’t tell you with you. But, it were Vera who strayed first. And don’t you go blaming her for it!”
Ray shook his head to clear his thoughts. A warning from Phyllis was not something to be taken lightly.
“I won’t. I won’t, alright? And all this has nowt to do with the affairs, anyhow. Phyllis, you’ve been working here since way back, when they still were using horse drawn carriages, aye?”
“Why, Sergeant, I’ve been here since when they were still booking dinosaurs for jaywalking and lewd behavior,” she quipped.
“So, what do you remember about Stu Hunt?”
“Stu?” she dropped her arms.
“Aye.”
“Don’t know really. Used to be in here all the time on one charge or another. Guv always got him off, course. Polite as could be, that lad. Always high, though. Daft thing. But when he were clean, oh he was a charmer. Must run in the family,” she sighed happily. “There was this one time, you were just a plod I think, Stu came in of his own accord. Gave roses and chocolates to the poor WPC who’d had to clean up his vomit some two nights before. Even talked her into going to dinner with him, cheeky bugger,” she cracked a smile.
“Do you know any of the girls he saw regular, like?”
“I weren’t his mother,” she shrugged. “Don’t think the Guv knew how many tarts Stu was sticking his todger in. That boy was always looker, despite all his trouble. Well, least till his last few months, when the drugs really took him. Stu, he could get a girl to do owt, even buy his drugs. DCI Hunt always turned a blind eye to that. Never wanted to know what his brother was ever really up to.”
“Stu ever get a girl up the duff?”
“’Wouldn’t surprise me if he did. But, I never knew for certain. Is that what this’s about?”
Ray checked to make sure no one was listening, even though he knew the locker room was empty except for them and Sam. He lowered his voice, nonetheless.
“Turns out the Guv might have a niece. ‘Round six or seven years old.”
“Where’s her mum?”
“According to our...snout - gone. Now the girl’s being used to pay off...debts.”
“Is there no bloody shame in this world,” Phyllis hissed, her eyes turning cold.
“We think the Guv went to find her. Things might’ve gone sour. But we need to find her if we’re going to find him.”
“Six or seven,” Phyllis whispered, thinking aloud. “Poor thing would’ve been conceived about six to eight years ago, then. That would’ve been about two years before Stu died, give or take.”
“Stu is dead, then?”
“Overdose, like all the other junkies. Guv kept it quiet. Didn’t want anyone fussing over him. I only know cos I were on duty when they brought the body to the morgue.” Phyllis glanced at Sam, checking on him, then looked back at Ray. “If he had gotten a girl pregnant, Stu wouldn’t have hung around. Not his style. There really is no justice in the world, is there?”
“What d’you mean?”
“Oh, you know how hard the Guv and Vera tried ‘fore they gave up. Wanted one so bad. Now for him to find out that Stu went off and had one and didn’t even give a shite? Must have torn him up.”
“Did Stu have any mates that could still be around? Anyone who might remember who he was seeing?”
“Like I said, I weren’t his mother. Stu was always arrested on his own. Bit of loner, he was, except with the ladies. But...” Phyllis shifted nervously, something she wasn’t prone to doing.
“But?”
“I know someone you could talk to, but you better take Annie with you if you do.”
“Why? Who is it?”
“A woman all the working girls know. If any of ‘em get into trouble, they can’t have their pimps knowing. And...well, it’s only been legal now, what? Five years?”
“You mean abortion?” Ray whispered. “How d’you know about her?”
“Not just bad girls that get themselves in a bind,” she snapped. “There’ve been a few of my girls...” Phyllis trailed off and shook her head. “You repeat any of this and I’ll be feeding your balls Toolbox’s rabid ferrets, while they’re still attached. You understand?”
“Loud and clear,” Ray backed off. “But, the bird we’re looking for...she would’ve had the baby.”
“Maybe she wasn’t always going to. Any unwed girl with unwanted bun in the oven, this woman would’ve known about it. And it’s the ones that change their minds that you always tend to remember.”
“Where can we find her?”
“The Ferryman. Pub up in Blackley. Ask for Doreen. And take Annie with you. She won’t talk to a male copper all on his own.”
“Maybe Chris should go with her.”
“You and WDC Cartwright getting on less than usual?”
“She’s a bit upset about me taking out the twonk.”
“Course she is. She’s angry.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Ray snorted. “Nearly took me head off not three hours ago.”
“Are men always so daft?” Phyllis rolled her eyes. “She’s not angry at you. She’s angry at herself, you twat. Cos of you, she’s seen what’s happened to DI Tyler since he’s been in there, and she’s angry she let it happen.”
“No she ain’t. She’s angry he’s not getting cured. She wants to throw him back in there PDQ.”
“No. You berk. Annie Cartwright is a proud and stubborn girl who can’t admit she made a mistake and it’s eating her up inside.”
“So, she’s not angry at us, then?”
“It’s always about you, innit? She couldn’t give a toss about you,” Phyllis threw up her hands. “Now, does he need to take these pills or what?”
“Yeah. Probably.”
“Fine,” Phyllis nodded, then leaned over Sam’s prone form and shook him gently by the shoulder. “C’mon, DI Tyler. Need to wake up, son.”
Sam stirred slowly, then sat up with Phyllis’ help.
“Time for you to take these, Boss. You need water?”
Sam said nothing, but shook his head no and took the pills from her hand, dry swallowing them like he had before.
“Now, think you’ve had enough sleep for one morning, don’t you? Let’s get you a hot meal in canteen, then you can help me sort out this mess of paperwork I need to take care of.”
“Not hungry,” Sam mumbled as he climbed to his feet.
“You are if I say you are,” she informed him. “Now march. Good lad. DS Carling,” she bid him goodbye and escorted Tyler out of the room.
Ray grabbed his coat from his locker, then left to find Annie. Suddenly, hopeful possibilities were cropping up. If only he could appease Cartwright enough to get her to tag along.
Author: dak
Word Count: 1460 (this part); (43,258 in total, so far)
Rating: blue cortina
Warnings: references to abortion
Summary: Post 2.08. When the Guv goes missing, CID is saddled with an inept "interim" DCI. To find Gene, and the truth, Ray must team up with a hated enemy.
A/N: So, I originally thought this was going to end at around 50,000 words. Just wanted to let you know I was totally wrong about that. Sorry. Please enjoy!
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15
Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29
“Time for him to take these,” Ray passed a handful of pills to Phyllis.
“What’re they for?” she asked, staring at the capsules suspiciously.
“Don’t know.”
“But you’re making him take ‘em?”
“Look, I’ve taken enough lip from Carter, Cartwright, and the rest of this bloody station. I don’t need it from you, too, ‘specially since you actually like him here. Just wake him up and shove ‘em down his gob.”
Phyllis’ face was already locked in a scowl when she looked down at Sam, who was sleeping peacefully on the locker room settee.
“Some of those bruises, they’re older than a few days,” she commented, staring sadly at the sleeping man.
“I know,” Ray sighed.
“Why’d you bring him here?” she asked quietly.
Ray gazed at the floor. He hadn’t been going to tell anyone else, but if there was one person who would sniff out the truth, it was a bulldog like Phyllis Dobbs. Ray knew he wouldn’t earn any favors by lying to her, and she was a good ally to have on his side. Phyllis despised Litton and had no respect for Carter. Plus, she could keep her mouth shut. So, Ray opened his.
“He’s been helping us look for the Guv.”
“The Guv?” she asked, for once sounding surprised.
“Keep your voice down,” he shushed her. “Gene had been going to see him,” he nodded to Sam.
“Good. He should’ve been. I take it DI Tyler’s found summat useful then, if you’ve gone to all this trouble.”
“Somewhat,” Ray admitted. “Guv might be in London.”
“Is it summat to do with the affair?”
Ray nearly choked on his gum.
“How’d you know about that?” he asked once he had recovered.
“How did I...? DS Carling, how many years have I known Vera Hunt?” she chided him, crossing her arms.
“So...you know Vera was having cheating?”
“I know they both were,” she crossed her arms. “Couldn’t tell you with you. But, it were Vera who strayed first. And don’t you go blaming her for it!”
Ray shook his head to clear his thoughts. A warning from Phyllis was not something to be taken lightly.
“I won’t. I won’t, alright? And all this has nowt to do with the affairs, anyhow. Phyllis, you’ve been working here since way back, when they still were using horse drawn carriages, aye?”
“Why, Sergeant, I’ve been here since when they were still booking dinosaurs for jaywalking and lewd behavior,” she quipped.
“So, what do you remember about Stu Hunt?”
“Stu?” she dropped her arms.
“Aye.”
“Don’t know really. Used to be in here all the time on one charge or another. Guv always got him off, course. Polite as could be, that lad. Always high, though. Daft thing. But when he were clean, oh he was a charmer. Must run in the family,” she sighed happily. “There was this one time, you were just a plod I think, Stu came in of his own accord. Gave roses and chocolates to the poor WPC who’d had to clean up his vomit some two nights before. Even talked her into going to dinner with him, cheeky bugger,” she cracked a smile.
“Do you know any of the girls he saw regular, like?”
“I weren’t his mother,” she shrugged. “Don’t think the Guv knew how many tarts Stu was sticking his todger in. That boy was always looker, despite all his trouble. Well, least till his last few months, when the drugs really took him. Stu, he could get a girl to do owt, even buy his drugs. DCI Hunt always turned a blind eye to that. Never wanted to know what his brother was ever really up to.”
“Stu ever get a girl up the duff?”
“’Wouldn’t surprise me if he did. But, I never knew for certain. Is that what this’s about?”
Ray checked to make sure no one was listening, even though he knew the locker room was empty except for them and Sam. He lowered his voice, nonetheless.
“Turns out the Guv might have a niece. ‘Round six or seven years old.”
“Where’s her mum?”
“According to our...snout - gone. Now the girl’s being used to pay off...debts.”
“Is there no bloody shame in this world,” Phyllis hissed, her eyes turning cold.
“We think the Guv went to find her. Things might’ve gone sour. But we need to find her if we’re going to find him.”
“Six or seven,” Phyllis whispered, thinking aloud. “Poor thing would’ve been conceived about six to eight years ago, then. That would’ve been about two years before Stu died, give or take.”
“Stu is dead, then?”
“Overdose, like all the other junkies. Guv kept it quiet. Didn’t want anyone fussing over him. I only know cos I were on duty when they brought the body to the morgue.” Phyllis glanced at Sam, checking on him, then looked back at Ray. “If he had gotten a girl pregnant, Stu wouldn’t have hung around. Not his style. There really is no justice in the world, is there?”
“What d’you mean?”
“Oh, you know how hard the Guv and Vera tried ‘fore they gave up. Wanted one so bad. Now for him to find out that Stu went off and had one and didn’t even give a shite? Must have torn him up.”
“Did Stu have any mates that could still be around? Anyone who might remember who he was seeing?”
“Like I said, I weren’t his mother. Stu was always arrested on his own. Bit of loner, he was, except with the ladies. But...” Phyllis shifted nervously, something she wasn’t prone to doing.
“But?”
“I know someone you could talk to, but you better take Annie with you if you do.”
“Why? Who is it?”
“A woman all the working girls know. If any of ‘em get into trouble, they can’t have their pimps knowing. And...well, it’s only been legal now, what? Five years?”
“You mean abortion?” Ray whispered. “How d’you know about her?”
“Not just bad girls that get themselves in a bind,” she snapped. “There’ve been a few of my girls...” Phyllis trailed off and shook her head. “You repeat any of this and I’ll be feeding your balls Toolbox’s rabid ferrets, while they’re still attached. You understand?”
“Loud and clear,” Ray backed off. “But, the bird we’re looking for...she would’ve had the baby.”
“Maybe she wasn’t always going to. Any unwed girl with unwanted bun in the oven, this woman would’ve known about it. And it’s the ones that change their minds that you always tend to remember.”
“Where can we find her?”
“The Ferryman. Pub up in Blackley. Ask for Doreen. And take Annie with you. She won’t talk to a male copper all on his own.”
“Maybe Chris should go with her.”
“You and WDC Cartwright getting on less than usual?”
“She’s a bit upset about me taking out the twonk.”
“Course she is. She’s angry.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Ray snorted. “Nearly took me head off not three hours ago.”
“Are men always so daft?” Phyllis rolled her eyes. “She’s not angry at you. She’s angry at herself, you twat. Cos of you, she’s seen what’s happened to DI Tyler since he’s been in there, and she’s angry she let it happen.”
“No she ain’t. She’s angry he’s not getting cured. She wants to throw him back in there PDQ.”
“No. You berk. Annie Cartwright is a proud and stubborn girl who can’t admit she made a mistake and it’s eating her up inside.”
“So, she’s not angry at us, then?”
“It’s always about you, innit? She couldn’t give a toss about you,” Phyllis threw up her hands. “Now, does he need to take these pills or what?”
“Yeah. Probably.”
“Fine,” Phyllis nodded, then leaned over Sam’s prone form and shook him gently by the shoulder. “C’mon, DI Tyler. Need to wake up, son.”
Sam stirred slowly, then sat up with Phyllis’ help.
“Time for you to take these, Boss. You need water?”
Sam said nothing, but shook his head no and took the pills from her hand, dry swallowing them like he had before.
“Now, think you’ve had enough sleep for one morning, don’t you? Let’s get you a hot meal in canteen, then you can help me sort out this mess of paperwork I need to take care of.”
“Not hungry,” Sam mumbled as he climbed to his feet.
“You are if I say you are,” she informed him. “Now march. Good lad. DS Carling,” she bid him goodbye and escorted Tyler out of the room.
Ray grabbed his coat from his locker, then left to find Annie. Suddenly, hopeful possibilities were cropping up. If only he could appease Cartwright enough to get her to tag along.