Chapter 1

A week after the Brian incident.....

Captain Strickland walked into the office and asked "Any news on Brian?"

"He's doing great, Captain but he still needs time off!" replied Lieutenant Shannon Parker.

"Can I have a word, Shannon?" asked Captain Strickland.

"Sure, Captain!" replied Shannon.

"Due to an increase of funds into the UCOS budget, I can inform you that we now have the funds to bring in an extra member to the team." said Captain Strickland.

"What about Brian?" asked Shannon. "You just can't.."

"Before you start, Shannon, let me make this clear to you," said Catain Strickland. "As far as I'm concern, Brian's job is safe for now at least."

"So you what your saying is," began Shannon. "What exactly that I have to baby sit some cocky young up star officer who react first and thinks later?"

"Well, actually, you'll be baby sitting two new recruits." said Captain Strickland.

"Two, are you taking the piss?" asked Shannon.

"Look, Shannon," said Captain Strickland. "They'll be with you for two weeks max, both of them are two young women who both show a lot of potential and either one of them would be a great asset to the team. Following their two weeks at UCOS, there will be a final evaluation in which you can decide which one of them gets the job."

"Why me, Captain?" asked Shannon.

"You know if I would've found anyone else, I would've asked them!" said Captain Strickland.

"Yeah, right." said Shannon.

"Both these women are feisty, eager to learn just like some other person I know." said Captain Strickland.

"So what am I suppose to do with them for two whole weeks?" asked Shannon.

"Pass on your knowledge and vast expertise!" replied Captain Strickland.

"Well, you know the guys aren't going to like this." said Shannon.

"I know and that's why I'm leaving it up to you to tell them." said Captain Strickland.

"Oh thanks." said Shannon.

"Break it to them gently, won't you?" asked Captain Strickland.

"Yeah, yeah," said Shannon. "Okay, guys, listen up, the Captain's informed me that due to a increase in the UCOS budget, we're getting an extra member to join our team."

"What, you kidding me?" asked Jack Hamford.

"No, Jack, unfortunally, I'm not." said Shannon.

"And what about Brian," said Jack. "Oh, I see, he's Brian's new replacement isn't he. Yeah, the Captain doesn't think he up to the job anymore since he fell off the wagon."

"No, no," said Shannon. "Far from it, Captain Strickland informs me that Brian's job is safe."

"So why are we getting another member?" asked Gordo Stanwick.

"Well, two!" said Shannon.

"Two!!" said Jack and Gordo together.

"Didn't I say two?" asked Shannon.

"No, you didn't!" said Gordo.

"It's all for two weeks and Captain Strickland wants me to choose one of the two to join us." said Shannon.

"Woo, decisions, decisions." chanted Gordo.

"Shut up, Gordo!" scolded Shannon.

"So what else did Strickland say?" asked Jack.

"Nothing, really," said Shannon. "You guys know as much as you guys know well apart from one thing that they're young."

"Oh, I see," said Gordo. "Captain Strickland's looking for some new fresher younger faces, not us."

"Not us geriatrics." said Jack,

"Yeah, exactly, Jack" said Gordo.

"That not what Captain Strickland's doing, Gordo." said Shannon.

"Yeah, then, once these younger kids show that there more up to the job then we are," said Jack. "Then Captain Strickland's going to give us the sack just like that."

"Oh, plus, I forgot to mention that recruits are both women!" said Shannon.

"Are they?" asked Gordo. "Well, the more, the merry, I say!"

"Yeah, I thought you might." said Shannon as Captain Strickland walked back into the office.

"Hey, guys," said Captain Strickland. "I gather Shannon's informed you the latest development within UCOS."

"Captain." said Shannon.

"Well, let me introduce you to your two new recruitments," said Captain Strickland. "This is Detective Doneaway and this is Officer Parker."

"PARKER!" yelled Jack.

"Hi, Mom, how's tricks?" asked the younger officer.

"Wait, wait, you have a daughter?" asked Jack.

"Yes, I do!" said Shannon.

"What? You?" asked Gordo.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" asked Shannon.

"It's just bizarre, that's all." said Gordo.

"Bizzare," said Shannon. "Well, some people might see 3 failed marriages as being bizarre, Gordo."

"Fair point, I guess." said Gordo.

"I just mean I can't imagine you sleeping with anyone." said Gordo.

"Please with your imagination, yes, you could," said Shannon. "What the hell are you doing now?"

"Using my imagination like you said but without the guy," said Gordo. "Hmmm, nice."

"Okay, Gordo, stop it right now." scolded Shannon.

"You know you love it really," said Gordo. "WAIT, okay, now I'm done."

"Can we please just change the subject?" asked Shannon.

"Well, I'll leave you all to it, have fun!" said Captain Strickland as he left the office.

Chapter 2

You could cut the tension with a knife, silenced filled the UCOS office. All that could be heard was the clock on the wall ticking every second. Both Jack and Gordo kept looking back and fourth at each from their office desks. Looking quite stunned over what they had just heard. Pondering over the thought of saying something to break the atmosphere but both keep quite not knowing how there banter would be taking especially with Shannon at this time.

From time to time both of them would glance at Shannon who at this time had turned her back on everyone. Hands firmly placed on her hips she stood tall, with the news that she would be working with her daughter for at least 2 weeks washing over her. She just focused on the whiteboard in front of her were photos and writing were plastered all over the whiteboard.

By this time, Shannon's daughter had moved and sat on the side of Brian's desk to get more comfy. Compared to recruit Officer Doneaway, Shannon's daughter was dressed more for comfort then work. Wearing some light blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket and sneakers. Her hands placed together she kept her eyes firmly placed on what Shannon was doing. Slightly hunched over, every few seconds she would slowly rub her hands together. You could see by her face that she wanted to say something but everytime she was just about to open her mouth, she would close it just as quick. It was like she wanted to say something but didn't know exactly what.

Over two minutes had passed by now and for everyone in the office it seemed like an eternity. Eventually, Doneaway decided to end the tension. Unlike Shannon, Doneaway was dressed to impress in a black suit and black high heel shoes shined to perfection. It was as if she was preparing was a job interview. Her light brown hair tied back so tight that not a shed of hair was sticking out of her matching bobble which again black. Everything that she was wearing seemed to have its place. She wore thick glasses looking more like a science geek than a police officer. Unlike Officer Parker, she decided to stand, arms clasped behind her back and standing up straight like she was standing to attention. Gingerly, she slowly walked towards Shannon, her hands still staying clasped behind he back.

"Ma'am, I'd just like to say that it is an absolute pleasure to have this opportunity to work with such a…" Her voice seemed quite posh and she seemed to be well educated moving her hand forward to shake Shannon's hand but before Doneaway could even finish what she was saying or get a hand shake, Shannon cut her off.

"Could you all just excuse me for just one second?" asked Shannon with her hand reinforcing the fact that she will be just one second by putting up one finger.

Shannon walked aggressively brushing passed Doneaway like she wasn't even there, arms swaying fiercely like she was ready to fight someone her eyes focused on nothing or no-one apart from the door out of the UCOS office. Shannon's daughter eyes however were completely fixed on Shannon's every movement. Like a predator stalking its prey, she didn't move her head once because she didn’t want Shannon to cotton on to the fact that she looking at her. . Her light blue eyes had a sort of anger behind them but as soon as Shannon left the room, they softened and her focus then seem to drift to a spot on the floor. Once again, the team was left in complete silence as once more the atmosphere seemed intense.

Through various corridors and up numerous stairs, Shannon was still her aggressive stride. She didn't stop once to talk to anyone, she seemed to be so focused on something that no-one was going stop what she had set her mind upon doing. Her pace had seemed to have gone from a normal walk to a fast pace walk to the point in which it almost looked like her pace was going to break into a run. Faster and faster, she walked like a well oiled machine until finally she stopped faced with her final destination. An old wooded door was the name Capt. Robert Strickland engraved into the wood work. She barged through the door without a care in the room Banging the door of the wall in her anger and nearly having the door hit her in her own face. Captain Strickland who was sitting at his desk seemed startled by Shannon's interruption.


"Come in, Shannon." said Captain Strickland, his words meant in a sarcastic way.

"What the hell do you think you are playing at?" demanded Shannon raising her voice in such anger with each word sharp and straight to the point. She was breathing quite heavily due to how she was feeling. Occasionally stopping to catch her breathe between her words.

"I have no idea what you mean!" replied Strickland, his voice was more calming as if he was trying to put her at ease.

"You know exactly what I mean." yelled Shannon knowing Captain Strickland knew what she was on about and she wanted him to tell her from his own mouth but instead, Strickland didn't respond and was reading some paperwork that was on his desk was taking president over what Shannon was saying.


"I mean that that..." said Shannon as mad as she was deep down, she wanted to say my daughter but instead or she could say was. "That other Parker! Didn't the name on the file give you I idea about who she was."

"I thought it was just coincidental." said Captain Strickland, his eyes still reading over the paperwork.

"Coincidental, are you kidding me?" said Shannon. Bringing her hands up, she swept her finger through her hair pushing the front part of her to the back and keep her hands locked together behind her head in frustration.

"You know it's more than likely there are dozens maybe hundreds of people out there called Parker," said Captain Strickland. "You know you're not the only one person in the whole world with that surname."

Shannon didn't respond, instead, she just rolled eyes and looked away. Keeping her hands behind her head, she just walked up and down Captain Strickland's office like a lost puppy not knowing what to do with herself. By this time, Captain Strickland had looked up from his paperwork noticing that Shannon looked troubled but had calmed down slightly he decided to take notice and respond.

"Look, I didn't know who she was or that she was related to you but she has superb file that we are lucky to have her, well, both recruits are both on top of their game and can do far career wise. The amount of collars both these have are impressive to say the least. Regardless of who she is, just give her a chance. I mean at the end of the day, it's for two weeks max and like I said before, it's up to you who becomes the newest member of UCOS."

"Fine, I'll give her a chance, I suppose," said Shannon bringing her arms down from her head to by the side of her body. "But if she steps out of line just once."

"I'm sure you will keep her in line." said Captain Strickland.

Just as Shannon turned around to walk out the door, Captain Strickland added "I hope that Officer Parker does make the team in my opinion, she'd make a great addition I can see it now the first ever mother daughter team."

Shannon just turned around looking at Captain Strickland in complete disgust.

"Think about it, that's all I'm saying." said Captain Strickland.

Gritting her teeth and putting a fake smile on her face, Shannon said "Sure, Captain, I will."

Shannon walked out the door ,this time being gentler with her exit than her arrive slow closing it slowly once through. This leaving Captain Strickland alone in his office smirking at the fact that his comments had given him the pleasure of annoying Shannon.

Chapter 3

“Ok someone please just say something Anything !!I can’t bare the silence any longer I will have enough silence when I’m dead!!” said Jack getting quite tetchy at the fact that no-one had spoken in at least 5 minutes after Sandra had left the room.
“Take it easy Jack you don’t want to get raise that high blood pressure of yours; you see that happens when you get to our range” Smiled Gerry as he tried to lighten the mood.
“Sooo Pullman” Gerry trying to find a way of tip toeing towards the whole you being Sandra’s daughter issue.
“Yep that’s me name” replied PC Pullman as she raised her head from the spot on the floor she had focused on. Her eyes being directed to Gerry at his desk who by this time had gone from sitting up straight and legs underneath the desk to a more relaxed approached by putting his feet up on the desk.
“Well your surname, so what’s your first name because if you going to work at UCOS there can only be one Pullman”
“Yeah don’t I know it” mumbling underneath her breath so no-one could hear what she said.
“My first name is Sarah”
“Ha” replied Gerry
“What’s so funny Gerry”
“It’s nothing”
“No seriously tell me I could do with a good laugh”
Jack who had been slumped in his chair for this whole time had creped forward with his elbows on the desk. One elbow slightly raised with two of his fingers posed on his lips and his eyebrow raised in completely bemusement over what Jack what was going to say.
“Well” replied Gerry stretching out the word well to draw out what he was going to say that bit longer.
“It’s just that with your name being Sarah and Sandra name well being Sandra of course”
“Yeah you point being” said Sarah who at this point started to scrunch up her face making her seem like a old women if she were to look into a mirror that very second she shocked at this wrinkled person staring back at her, looking some what confused she waited patiently for Gerry to carry on.
“You sound like a comedy duo Sandra and Sarah” his voiced filled with excitement over what he had just said.
“Was that it” Responded Sarah looking bemused over Gerry so called pun.
“Yeah” Giving out a little chuckle to himself
“That was crap Gerry replied Jack
“I have to agree with Grandad over there that it was crap”
“Who are you calling Grandad??”
“Sorry old man”
“Old man, Old man repeated Jack quite sternly
“You just come over here and say that”.
“I’m only messing with you” Said Sarah who by this time was swinging her legs up and down still sitting on the edge of the desk like a little child with half a cheeky smile plastered on her face.
“Yeah you better be” said Jack
The atmosphere that had once become filled with tension had now dissolved and a sense of warmth and relaxation had come over the UCOS office. Even PC Doneaway who looked like a stift board throughout this whole time had become more relaxed and decided to bring her clasped hands to the side of body. She decided to sit at brain’s desk with the thought that she could be sitting here full time at the back of her head.
“Well I just carnt wait to start our first case” Replied PC Doneaway with a sense of anticipation in her voice.
“Especially to be working with Superintendent Sandra Pullman it’s like a dream come true” her light hazel eyes lit up, glowing brightly was passion and desire. Desire of working with Sandra Pullman.
“I wouldn’t go that far” snapped Sarah
“I’ve heard all about her achievements in Hendon and the fantastic work she done in UCOS too she’s like my idol!” who seemed to have a little swing in her step. For some strange reason the seriousness and professionalism of which PC Doneaway had sustained throughout the whole time Sandra had been in the room had all of sudden switched. Now there was a sense of obsession in the tone of her voice. It was like staring at two different people with two different personalities.
Gerry, Jack and Sarah remained silent there eyes almost popping out over what they just heard they were all in disbelief than anything else. Stunned by how the sudden change in Doneaway mood changed. They didn’t say anything due to the fact that it was Doneaway first day, she maybe she was just keen than being weird.
“Anyway moving swiftly on from that note, Sarah decided to change the conversation to the job at hand the new case they will be working on.
“So I gather the information on the whiteboard is to do with the investigation we will be working on”
“Yes it responded” Jack
“So what it is?”
“We should really wait for Sandra to fill you both in” replied Gerry was seemed quite cagey to say anything about the case without Sandra say so.
“It won’t do any harm Gerry”
“Ok fine but if Sandra throws a bitch fit don’t blame me Jack ok”
“Yeah Yeah”
Jack who had been sitting at his desk walked over to the whiteboard. Doneaway and Sarah followed and made themselves comfy on the chair’s opposite the whiteboard. Doneaway budged quite close to Sarah. At one point Doneaway turned towards Sarah and grinned quite eagerly to get started in which Sarah uneasily grinned back. Jack positioned himself beside the whiteboard so everyone could see the whiteboard. Gerry who had been sitting at his desk decided also to join the rest of the team shortly afterwards. Standing behind Sarah and Doneaway with his hands firmly placed on the back of their chairs. Back bent ready to listen to what Jack had to say.
“Ok this is a Michael Healy” Pointing at the photo of a man on whiteboard
“He was killed in February 2001, at 20.45, his body was found at the hotel called the white Swan. The body was found by a Mary Winter stoke the owner of the hotel.
“So how did he die?” replied Gerry
“Well the Conroy reports suggest a blow to the head killing Healey instantly, however they also found in the bloodstream a strong dose of poison”
“So what are you saying Jack do you think that two people tried to kill Healey and one of them actually succeed or what??”
“Well Donewaway I think that at this point we should treat both the blow to the head and the dose of poison separate”.
“So do will know what caused the blow to the head said Sarah inching forward off he seat interest”.
“Unfortunally not, the previous team who was working on the case didn’t find anything at the scene of the crime, apart from this.”
Jack pointed towards another image on the whiteboard, they on the whiteboard lay an image of a close up shot of a single red rose.

Chapter 4

Leaving Strickland’s office Sandra walked across the corridors and down the stairs heading back to the ucos office. The anger in which brought her to Strickland’s office in the first place had seemed to have lifted. Walking through the narrow corridors there was a more relaxed approach to her walk but she still seemed to be troubled by something there were various doors on either side of her. But she carried on walking, down one long corridor she went until she reached the end of the corridor where two solid oak doors leading into the ucos office stood. As she extended her arm so that her hand could push the door open she saw through the small glass panel on the door the whole team gathered around the whiteboard. In that brief moment something came over her and she couldn’t bring herself to go through the door. Slowly she moved her fingers up and down the door as if she was creasing it. Gently she moved her hand away from the door clenching her fist as she draw the extended arm back into her body. But as slow as she was to bring her arm back in she decided to have one more attempt to go through the door. This time however when she extended her arm she began to shake, she couldn’t even touch the door let alone push it open. It wasn’t just her arm that was shaking her head was too even her eyes started to well up with tears like she was in pain to the extent in which she had to grit her teeth. It was as if she was having a battle with the door and the door was winning. In her mind she was willing herself on to go through the door but for some reason her body wasn’t allowing her to actually physically do it. Sharply she moved her arm back to her body and backed away from the door. Instead she turned back around, through the narrow corridor she went again but this time she entered a grey door marked women’s toilet.
The women’s toilets were pretty standard on the right fixed to the wall were four small sinks. To the left were three cubicles. The restroom was very plain the walls were painted white but looked more grey than white as if they hadn’t been painted from quite some time. Even a area of damp could be seen in the ceiling’s left corner the room was crying for some attention at least of lick of paint.
On entering she checked all the toilet cubicles to see if anybody was around, seeing that nobody was in the room she made her way over to one of the four sinks. Just behind the sink was a small mirror. Placing her hands onto the sides of the sink she bent over tilting her neck downwards she took a few deep breathes. In bringing her head back up she caught her reflection in the mirror. The mirror was quite small but large enough to frame her face it was slightly blurred as if it hadn’t been cleaned for ages. Although the image of herself was disfigured due to the blurriness she seemed drawn to her bright blue eyes which stood out. For a few minutes she remained there hunched over just staring at the mirror image of herself. Her eyes fixed on her own eyes, it was as if the person looking back at her was a completely a different person than the person she was looking at. Another minute had passed all that could be heard was the buzzing of the light above her. Then softly and quietly she spoke. Her eyes still locked onto her the eyes in the mirror she spoke.
“I can do this it’s only for two weeks” slowly she took a breath in and gently she breathed out repeating the same speech she had just spoken.
“I can do this it’s only for two weeks” this time when she spoke her voice was more forceful it was a if she was willing herself on to succeed.
However this time when she said it a tear from her right blue eye escaped her eye and trickled down the right side of her cheek. Before it even had a chance to hit the floor she batted the tear away using her right hand. As if she was batting a fly away for her. She again repeated the lines she had said.
“I can do this it’s only for two weeks!” This time the words she spoke were louder and sharper. One more time she repeated the phrase.
“I can do this it’s only for two weeks!” the tear that once filled her eye was now filled with fire behind them. To that point in which she nodded her head up and down as a sign to reinforce the fact that whatever happens in the next couple of weeks she was going to strong and in complete control of the situation like a detective superintendent should be well in her mind should be. And that whatever personal matters evolved she was going to be professional and dignified and put the investigation first and solve the case which was her main priority. Like she said it was only for two weeks it which she would have to see her daughter. In her own mind she was firmly set on the fact that whatever happens her daughter would not be the one who she will be choosing to join the ucos team she won’t allow it because she couldn’t bare seeing her day after day especially after what she had done.
From the bent positioned she had remained there for at last five minutes by this time her lower back with starting to ache. When she did begin to stand up straight her back clicked. She had to stretch at least twice to try and get rid of the pain. Before she left the restroom she was tempted to look into the mirror one time to check if any of her makeup had run but decided against it. As in her mind she had seen enough of the mirror to last her a whole lifetime.