Snap Back then Duck

The first chapter of this tale is an insight into the lives of two ordinary people.
Their arguments aren’t serious it’s more like they are entertaining each other.
In the chapters following chapter 1 it’s a completely different story.

Don’t skip chapter 1 though because it leads you nicely into the story

Looking at him with a sideways glance and a serious eye she said so ... how would you describe our relationship?

Complicated he snapped back, as if he’d been waiting for that question his whole life.

Complicated?? Complicated? In what way?

The thought of having to now answer that question is filling him with dread. He attempts to nervously answer...... Well I..... I mean we..........

Come on it’s a simple question she interrupts, you said it’s complicated, I said in what way? Now the floor is yours come on let’s have it.

Wishing now that he had completed his training in psycho analytics with the SAS he took a deep breath and said................................. 

   

Complicated my darling, is the exact opposite of simple. Simple things are relatively easy to come by and therefore do not require a great deal of thought, whereas the complicated things in life require a lot of attention and careful thinking because you don’t want to mess it up. I liken our relationship to a pizza, the mozzarella and the tomato sauce don’t mix together like mud in stagnant water, they blend and complement each other. All I ask of you is to maybe step up your game you know, put a little thought into what you say and do.

OK pizza lover, she said. What do you think of this thought.............................

You sit there on your spotty behind squeezing blackheads, not giving a tinkers cuss about my struggle in life. You excrement! You whining hypocritical toady with your Sky TV and your Wayne Rooney football shirt, I wouldn’t  become your wife now if you got down on your bony little knees and begged me you twisted little twat.

Shocked he dropped his remote control and opened his mouth to speak.........

SHUT UP I haven’t finished yet! She said............................

You think your sooo clever don’t you, with your complicated and simple, and your pizza references. I’m amazed that you even know what he white stuff and the red stuff on a pizza is actually called!
I liken you to a plate of chilli with a dollop of sour cream on top, it doesn’t blend in, it doesn’t mix it’s supposed to calm the heat but in fact it does fuck all but confuse you to extent of wondering what the hell it’s doing there.  Oh I know what it’s doing there!! It’s there to confuse you; it’s there to stop you experiencing the full joy of what eating a chilli is all about.

YES you are that dollop of sour cream.

Silence filled the room for a while............................

For quite a long while actually, darkness was closing in there were no lights on and all you could see was the glow of the TV. Lots of little men in stripy shirts running around chasing a ball, the sound was muted because even though he loved his football even he couldn’t stand the sound of the commentator sounding like a demented chicken every time someone got close to the goal line. Then all of a sudden another glow appeared in the room,

Had she done the unthinkable?..................... Yes she had.

The tennis was on her ipad with the commentary coming full blast from the Bluetooth speaker. Dustin Brown was in full flow with his lean body and dreads looking like Wimbledon’s answer to Radio Mystique Roots.

Ok enough is enough he said, tell me how can we uncomplicated our relationship?

Aaah I’m so glad that you asked me that, here’s the deal................................

Kindness, do you know what that is? Don’t answer that. Kindness is something that should be shown to everyone without exception; if ever you are feeling low, an act of kindness no matter how small can make you feel on top of the world again, it can make you feel trust in others humanity  , it gives you a warm glow inside.

It’s easy to be kind, all you have to do is look at yourself from the outside and ask yourself would I like me if I were them? Am I the kind of person that they enjoy being with?

Don’t get me wrong I don’t think that you should just be kind to me, or I should just be kind to you it’s not a two way thing; we should be kind to everyone.

So......the TV ... are you going switch it off or am I going to have to put a brick through it.

Oh I see, so threatening to put a brick through the TV is kindness is it? He snapped.

You really don’t understand do you, she said; I was explaining to you what kindness is I didn’t say that I was kind, although god knows I try but you make it so damned difficult.

 (the problem with this guy is he doesn’t know when to stay quiet, he knows that this lady is itching to be fed a line so that she can let rip but..... Oh Oh here he goes)

Do you think that I’m not kind to you then darling?

Kind? KIND? What about the time you told my Mother that it would be best if she doesn’t visit anymore because she frightens the dog. She couldn’t sleep for a week, every time there was a knock at her door she hid because she thought it might be the RSPCA.

Oh come on he said,

Now he’s on the defence, you know, like someone trying to repair the delicate workings of a Smartphone with a jack hammer.

 I tried to explain that I was only joking but she kept hitting me.

While all this was going on someone was banging on the door oooh dear, I bet I know who this is....................

It’s your Mother!! He said with more than a little panic in his voice. You answer it and I’ll slip out the back way.

Stay where you are coward, she’s probably come round to wish us a happy anniversary.

Hello mum how nice to see you

Hello dear I thought it was about time I came to see how you and what’s his name were getting on.

Jack mum,

what’s that dear?

Jack, that’s his name.

Now Jenny’s mum has this amazing talent, she looks and acts like the dearest sweetest lady that you could ever wish to meet, until of course you meet her. She’s a sixties child, by that I mean born in the early fifties and spent the important years of her childhood and teens in the swinging sixties. She had seen and done things that most modern day teens would dream of doing if only they had the opportunity and the courage. In short she has the modern outlook of a 30 year old and the attitude of a 63 year old.

Jenny showed her mum into the sitting room where Jack had started up his laptop and was furiously typing, oh hello he said, a bit late for a visit I mean not that you’re not welcome but it’s dark ...I mean....Getting dark.....I mean.....You’ll have to excuse me I have to get this report finished for work in the morning.

Oh that’s OK you carry on Jim

JACK mum JACK!!!!

Only you might want to press the space bar occasionally, you seem to be typing the longest word in history.

Anyway I just popped in to tell you that I’m dating the most wonderful man and I’d like to bring him round sometime to meet you both.

You could hear the dust settling on Jacks keyboard, he just stared at his screen and Jenny just stared at Jack, the question is who was going to break this awful silence........................................

I would have put money on it being her mother, but I would have lost.

What about dad? Said Jenny.

Ah yes she said, I knew there were two things that I had to tell you but I’ve gone and told you the wrong one first. Your father and I are on a break.

A break??

Yes dear you know, I’m not going to go into all the gory details but we’ve decided that we need a change so he packed his golf clubs and headed out to the club and I haven’t seen him since.

When was this mother?

This morning dear.

So let me get this straight, you had an argument with dad, he went to play golf and you went and found another man. Are you mad!! Where is this man? What’s going to happen when dad gets home?

Oh all right I’m joking, but my life is so boring I like to make up stories just to see what your reaction is going to be. It’s all right for you and Jack you both have a job that fills your lives with excitement, the only excitement I get is when your dad comes home to tell me that he got a hole in one and he had to spend his entire pension getting a round in at the clubhouse.

Anyway Jack how did you get on with your inspectors exam?

I have an interview tomorrow mother, I have high hopes but I don’t want to count my chickens.

...............................................................................

So that is an insight into Jack and Jenny’s private life, from here on in the story gets dark.

Very, very dark..........................................

It was 6:30 am the sun was shining through the crack in the curtains and the alarm was relentless.

Come on Jack wake up shouted Jenny!! It’s your interview today get yourself sorted it’s a long drive.

Jack had been a DS in the flying squad for about 5 years after being made up from a DC for his dedication to duty when he relentlessly and skilfully brought a serial rapist to justice after a very long and difficult investigation. He wasn’t a terribly ambitious guy he was more about the results than where he was in the team, but he was pressured by his superiors to go for promotion. He had passed his inspectors exam and now he was about to have an interview to find out whether he would be made up to inspector or stay as a detective sergeant for the rest of his career.

He came to with a start my god is that the time?

Its OK Jenny said, you’ve got plenty of time just get going! Get in the shower! Go on!!!

I love you darling he said, you’ve been my rock god knows what I would do without you.

Love you too Jack, I’ll be proud of you whatever happens today.

While Jack was in the shower Jenny went downstairs to put the coffee on,

Eggs on toast for you Jack!! She shouted, no answer came the stern reply.

Scrambled that’s what he likes I’ll surprise him she thought.

Then there was a knock on the door, who the hell is that at this time of the morning she said under her breath.

She opened the door but there was no one there, she was about to go out and look but something stopped her,  she had this strange feeling that something awful was about to happen.

She stood motionless for what seemed an eternity, she could feel her heart beating so hard, almost coming out of her chest, all of a sudden a person appeared wearing a balaclava.

Although she couldn’t recognise them because their face was covered there was a look in their piercing eyes as if they somehow knew her.

She wanted to say.....Who are you?!!! But a nervous reaction had closed her throat, she was petrified.

They drew a gun, paused for a while then shot her at point blank range in the chest. 

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What the hell happened here Jack?

Said DI Slater.

I don’t know Nick I was in the shower, I was going over in my head what I was going to say in my interview then I heard a bang. I shouted to Jenny but got no answer so I ran down stairs and found her slumped over the doorstep.

While they were talking the paramedics were furiously battling to keep her alive, then silence..............

One of the paramedics looked up and said I’m so sorry there’s nothing more we can do, she’s gone.

Jack buried his head in his hands and sobbed uncontrollably, within a few minutes of waking up to a new and exciting day someone had arrived on his doorstep and stolen his whole world from underneath him.

Inspector Slater was fighting with his emotions, Jack and Jenny were two of his best friends almost family but he had to keep a professional stance because it looked as though he was now going to be heading up an investigation into Jenny’s murder.

Nick Slater and his wife Chloe had been friends with Jack and Jenny since way back they regularly went for meals out together and went on holiday as a foursome.

He loved them both equally but,

......He didn’t know how......He didn’t know why and he didn’t what it was, but jenny had a secret, and although he was genuinely grief stricken he had to get his head together and start his investigation by finding out what that secret was.

OK Jack he said, you know how this works you were first on the scene so I have to take you in for questioning just so that we can rule you out.

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For the tape;

 Interview with Jack Daniels case number 983Ce 

Officers attending; 

Detective Inspector Nick Slater and Detective Constable James Riley.

Jack, tell us about this morning.

Where do I start? Said Jack with a very shaky voice.

Just start from when you woke up.

 Listen I’m sorry that this is so soon after your tragic loss said Nick, but we have to get proceedings started at the earliest possible time to give us any chance at all of getting to the bottom of this. Just take your time, we’ll soon be done.

Yes I understand, said Jack. 

I woke up around 6:30 Jenny was shouting something about my interview and it being a long drive. I got up and went into the shower then I heard a loud bang I knew from experience that it was a gunshot I ran downstairs shouting for Jenny but there was no answer. When I got into the hallway I saw her slumped on the ground half in and half out of the doorway there was blood pumping everywhere I.............................

He broke down; put his head on the table he was beside himself with grief.

OK Jack your doing well we’ve nearly finished, what did you do next?

I dialled 999 and at the same time started CPR. But I couldn’t..............I couldn’t do it properly there was so much blood, then the paramedics arrived and took over and you arrived shortly after.

Did you see anyone else around Sergeant Daniels? 

Asked Constable Riley.

No..........Nobody.

Right that’ll do for now interview terminated at 15:08 said Nick switching off the tape. Now I want you to go home and get some rest Jack, is there anyone that can be with you.

No I’d rather be alone.

OK I’ll pop round later to see how you’re doing if that’s alright with you.

Yes that’s fine thank you Nick thank you.

After Jack had gone Nick went into the general office.

Right listen up people this is a murder that has affected one of our own very badly and I also have a great personal interest, we haven’t much to go on or any description of the suspect there’s no CCTV in that street so I want house to house enquiries starting from first thing tomorrow. 

Oh and don’t forget to ask everyone if they have their own security cameras, you never know we could get lucky and by god we’ll need some luck on this one.

Nick went into his office his mind was racing; he wasn’t entirely convinced that Jenny had a secret it was just a nagging feeling at the back of his mind. He didn’t know what she did for a living if anything at all which was strange given that they were such good friends.

Whenever the subject came up she would just laugh it off with stuff like “oh I’m just a lady of leisure Jack looks after me” and then seemed to change the subject as quick as she could.

There was one time when they were out to dinner Nick’s wife Chloe mentioned that she’d had the prawn dish before and it was particularly good, oh god no said Jenny I had prawns once when I was in Morocco I was so ill I haven’t touch them since.

Now Nick has known Jack since they were kids and he knows that Jack has never been to Morocco, and also Jack and Jenny got together when they were in their early teens. She could have gone as a kid with her parents which was doubtful knowing them, or she must have gone on her own when her and Jack were together but it’s a bit odd that this has never come up in conversation.
  

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I’m now going to take you back to Jack and Jenny 5 years ago................

Who was that on the phone Jen?

No one important Jack, what to you fancy for dinner?

I wish you wouldn’t answer a question with another question; I’m a sergeant now you know I could interrogate you and force out the answer, he said jokingly.

Oh all right I was going to surprise you but I might as well tell you now I’ve got a part time job as a courier mainly documents and the odd parcel. It doesn’t pay much but it’ll make me feel a little more independent, you know I like to pay my way if I can.

Jack appeared into the kitchen where Jenny was making the dinner, you’re kidding me! He said.

I thought you would be pleased.

 PLEASED!! Why the hell would I be pleased, when did you get this job? And why didn’t you tell me straight away? When you said that you went to see your mother the other evening I suppose you were out delivering dodgy parcels.

Oh I wondered when you were going to start playing policemen with me, you want to know why I didn’t tell you? Because if you didn’t think of it, then in your suspicious mind it must be dodgy.

Back to the present

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Back in the general office the next morning.

Right then team what have we got, said Nick

We’ve got a description of the suspect, said DC Riley.

Go on

Middle Eastern appearance,

short dark wavy hair, 

clean shaven, 

black top and dark blue jeans. 

Carrying a sports bag

No graphic description of the bag except for dark with white emblems.

He was seen hanging around the neighbourhood the day before the shooting by a Mr. Davenport at number 43; he seemed to be checking house numbers. When Mr. Davenport went out to work the next morning at about 06:15 (the shooting was 06:45) he saw him again.

Any CCTV? Said Nick.

No said Jim, but there were a couple of people not in so we’re going to call back today.

My god thought Nick; this is starting to fit in with my Moroccan theory.

Good work Jim, you get back down there and check on the call backs I’m going to have a chat with Sergeant Daniels.

Did Jenny have a job Jack? Said Nick.

No she liked to be the lady of leisure you know that.

When did she go to Morocco? Said Nick.

She’s never been to Morocco.

Oh come on Jack you know she has, she told us all at dinner one evening that she had food poisoning while she was there.

Oh...oh yes I remember........... OK Jack, Nick interrupted you had better come down the station we’ll have to do this on tape with you under caution.
Sorry mate but you’re holding something back for some reason and we need to get to the truth.

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For the tape;

 Interview with Jack Daniels case number 983Ce 

Officers attending; 

Detective Inspector Nick Slater and Detective Constable James Riley.

Sergeant Daniels when did your wife go to Morocco?

About a year ago said Jack; she went with a friend it was when I was studying to get myself ready to apply for the inspector’s position. She was a bit fed up and bored because I wasn’t paying her much attention because I was so busy.

Why Morocco?

She’d been talking to a Moroccan bloke in the office where she worked and he was telling her what a wonderful place it was to tour and see the sights.

So she did have a job!!

Yes I’m sorry I didn’t really count it as a real job it was just part time, she just delivered a few parcels for them.

Have you ever met this man from her office? Asked DC Riley.

No never.

Do you think that her murder had anything to do with her place of work or the people that worked there? Said Inspector Slater.

No of course not, they are just a small firm starting out. Trying to build a business.

Have you met anyone lately who looked or spoke like they may be from Morocco or there abouts?

Said DC Riley.

No never said Jack.

OK Interview terminated at 13:10 said Nick turning off the tape.

OK Jack you know I can’t discuss the case with you at this present time, go home get some rest and I’ll be in touch.

What was all that about meeting anyone from Morocco Jim?

There’s a woman at number 45, a call back that I went to see this morning. She’s paranoid about street crime she has a camera running all day; I got the disc from the day before and the morning of the murder sir.

Great let’s have a look.

There walking down the street, that’s our suspect.

So it is pity we can’t see his face said Nick.

Yes but here’s the morning of the murder you can’t see his face on this either, but......

Hang on!! Said Nick he’s at Jack’s door talking to him.

Yes said Jim, that’s what all the questions were about.

Come on Jim, let’s go.

They arrived at Jacks house minutes after he had got in.

Jack Daniels said Nick; I’m arresting you for the conspiracy to murder Jenny Daniels. You do not have to say anything but what you do say may be used in evidence against you.

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Just over a year ago in Morocco:-

Oh Jenny what a gorgeous place this is, where did you hear about it again?

Aalia at the couriers office, he comes from around here he explained it in such a way that I couldn’t resist coming here. There’s a bar somewhere around here called Asar that he used to go to.......Oh there it is!! Let’s go and have a drink.

They ordered a drink and sat down to enjoy the atmosphere, you seem preoccupied Jenny said Jan why do you keep looking at that guy at the bar?

It seems strange said Jenny but I think I’ve seen him somewhere before, oh I know!! I’ve seen him in the office talking to Aalia.
 Let’s go and say hello said Jan I’ll bet he’ll be surprised to see us.

Hi there said Jenny sorry to bother you but I’ve seen you in the office where I work in England, I’m Jenny and this is my friend Jan.

The man looked at them as though he’d seen a couple of ghost’s and said you must be mistaken I have never been to England now if you will excuse me I’m busy.

Sorry said Jenny and they went back to their seats.

That was embarrassing said Jan, yes said Jenny but that’s definitely him he seemed really annoyed that I had recognised him.

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Meanwhile back in present time:-

I feel terrible Jim said Nick, I’ve just put my best friend behind bars and I really can’t imagine that he would have anything to do with Jenny’s murder.

Yes but he lied sir said Jim, we have him on CCTV speaking to the suspect.

Right I’m going over to search Jacks house said Nick, you stay here and dig up everything you can about this courier firm.

Nick went through Jack and Jenny’s house with a fine toothed comb, he didn’t find much but he did find a post card from Morocco to Jack.

HI DARLING

HOPE YOU’RE GETTING ON OK WITH YOUR

EXAM PREP, WE’RE COMING HOME ON FRIDAY

THERE’S SOMETHING I NEED TO TELL YOU 

ABOUT WORK. NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT

JUST A BIT STRANGE. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU

LOVE JENNY XXX

What have you got Jim, the couriers where are they? Who runs the place?

Just a small affair sir, set up a couple of years ago run by a guy named Aalia Abergel we would need to seize their records to find out any more about the company though. Their operation is run from an office in Slade Road just off the high street.

There are a few questions we need to ask Jack but before that we need to pay a visit to the courier’s

Slade Road was a bit of a slum to be honest, as you turned into it from a very high tech, smart modern high street it was like going back in time.

There it is said Jim! Abergel Couriers.

Not the most inventive of names said Nick, come on lets go and see what this Aalia has to say for himself.

Jim pressed the intercom button.

Marhabaan came the answer.

It’s the police Mr Abergel open up!!

The door buzzed and they went up the stairs into the office, a dingy little place with a small desk and mountains of paper and files on it. Sitting behind all this was a slightly built Middle Eastern looking man on the phone, yes yes bring it to the office and we will have it there by tomorrow lunchtime, no thank you very much; goodbye.  

What can I do for you gentlemen?

We are investigating a murder in the area said Nick.

Ah yes said Aalia very sad, the lady worked for me part time as a courier.

What kind of parcels do you deliver Mr. Abergel? Said Jim

Anything up to 5 Kg said Aalia, people get fed up with long queues at the post office so they get us to collect them from their homes or they drop them here to the office.

Why not above 5 Kg? Asked Nick.

Because we only use couriers with cars or motorbikes, so basically small packages is our business.

Do you deliver or collect International?

Yes we do said Aalia.

Thank you Mr Abergel we’ll leave it there but we may have to speak to you again.

What do you think sir? Said Jim.

Well Jim, Moroccan people, Moroccan connections. Did you know that Morocco is the main transit point for cocaine from South America to Western Europe? I’m convinced that Jenny’s death has drug and Moroccan connections.

We should get a warrant to seize his files said Jim, there’s bound to be a paper trail there that can prove or disprove their involvement.

No we’ll leave that for now said Nick, let’s go and have another chat with Sergeant Daniels.

This postcard Jack what was it that Jenny wanted to talk to you about?

I’ve never seen that postcard before said Jack, Jenny didn’t send me a postcard that’s not even her writing it’s printed in capitals she doesn’t write like that!!

I told you in the corridor after the last interview that Jenny thought she saw someone she knew in Morocco but on reflection she decided that she must have been mistaken, don’t you remember?

No I don’t said Nick, but don’t worry I’m sure the courier company has a connection with this.

Jim started to get a little concerned about these anomalies, the postcard, the fact that Inspector Slater didn’t want to see the courier company’s files. What the hell is going on here he thought...............

DC Riley was troubled his doubts about the case had been aroused; he’s now looking at everything with a different eye. Up to now he had just been following Inspector Slater’s lead but now he’s thinking that it’s time to follow his own instincts and the burning questions in his head at the moment are:- 

The postcard, Where did it come from and who wrote it?

Sergeant Daniels was seen on CCTV talking to the suspect why hasn’t he been questioned about that?

And why isn’t Inspector Slater trying harder to get proof of the courier company’s involvement?

Jim decided to do some digging of his own “off line” you might say, just to get some background to either arouse or even dismiss his suspicions so he decided to look up Jenny’s mum.

Sorry to bother you at a time like this Mrs. Atkins, said Jim.

Come in said Jenny’s mum I’d like to help you as much as I can but since the affair I hadn’t had much to do with Jack and Jenny, I visited occasionally and they always seemed to be getting on very well.

Affair? Said Jim. What affair?

Oh Jenny had a wild fling with Nick Slater she wasn’t serious just bored, I think she needed something to take the edge off of what she called her mundane life that’s why she got the part time job at the couriers. Anyway she finished it in the end, mind you I don’t think Inspector Slater took it too well he seemed besotted with her.

Thank you Mrs Atkins you’ve been a great help, I’ll see myself out thanks again goodbye.

You don’t think that this had anything to do with Jenny’s murder do you? She said.

No no Mrs. Atkins I’m just collecting background information.

Fuck it!!! Thought Jim this is getting too complicated I don’t think I can deal with this on my own.

Detective Chief Inspector Rowling was the Flying Squad boss, not an easy man to deal with in fact “direct and to the point” were understatements.

At ease Riley! Said the DCI, what’s your problem come on lad straight to the point I haven’t got much time.

So Jim poured out his suspicions to the DCI.

Listen son said Chief Inspector Rowling; I’ve known Inspector Slater for a very long time. As far as I’m concerned although he may be unorthodox from time to time, but he is a dedicated officer and a good man. I appreciate the fact that you didn’t go throwing accusations around but instead came to me with your suspicions, so here’s what I’m going to do.

I have a mess that needs clearing up a few miles away so I’m going to send Inspector Slater to sort it out for me, It’ll take him a couple of days so you have two days DC Riley get it sorted and come back to me with your findings. That will be all Riley, good luck because you will need it.

The next morning in the general office, Jim had just got in to work.

Ah Jim said Nick; the boss needs me to sort a few things for him so I’ll be away for a couple of days. Don’t do anything on the Jack Daniels case until I get back, were running a bit short on superior officers at the moment but DCI Rowling will be running the place until I get back.

Jim didn’t waste any time he put in a request to interview Jack straight away.

Hello Sergeant Daniels said Jim, how are you holding up in here?

Please Jim call me Jack I don’t know if anyone will be calling me Sergeant any time soon if at all again.

OK Jack up to now all we have done is ask you questions, but I would like to just have a conversation with you. You know just get your version on the events; I’d like to know how you are feeling about what’s happened.

Obviously you are grieving and traumatised over Jenny’s death. You are in here because you’re charged with withholding information therefore undermining a murder investigation. How do you feel about that Jack?

It all seems a bit of a jumble to me said Jack, I assume it’s because I held back about Jenny’s job but I really didn’t think it was relevant.

You were seen talking to a man of Middle Eastern appearance at your door on the morning of the murder, do you know him?

Yes that was Ali he owns the shop on the corner, we’ve known him and his family for years. I answered the door on my way up to the shower; he always delivers the morning papers in our street he only knocked this particular morning to wish me luck with my interview.

He had a sports bag said Jim, do you know what was in it?

Newspapers said Jack.

I see said Jim, what about the postcard?

As I said last time Jenny never sent me a card it’s not the sort of thing she does.......did.

Right said Jim; sorry if this is a sensitive subject but what about the affair between Jenny and Inspector Slater?

How did you know about that? Said Jack............Oh I know, you’ve been to see Jenny’s mum. Well I don’t know what she told you but it was a very short lived thing and it was Jenny that finished it after she confessed it to me. We were working it out, I had forgiven her so we put it behind us and were getting on really well.

Yes that’s basically what she told me but she also said that Inspector Slater had taken it really badly.

Yes he did but he got over it and we remained friends.

After the interview Jim was even more troubled, so he went to see DCI Rowling to see what he had to say.

Sit down DC Riley; tell me where you’re up to.

Jim told him about going to see Jenny’s mum and about the interview with Sergeant Daniels.

So what are your thoughts Jim said the DCI.

If I’m honest sir said Jim I think Sergeant Daniels is too cool about the whole thing.

His whole attitude and body language seems to tell me that he is trying to steer the suspicion into Inspector Slater’s lap, but at the same time not making it too obvious that he is doing so.................

Inspector Slater stormed into the general office the next morning, RILEY MY OFFICE NOW!!!

What the fucking hell do you think you are playing at Jim; I’ve just had half an hour’s grilling from the DCI, I have enough on my plate at the moment I don’t need all this shit I told you not to go near this case until I got back and then you go and bring my private life into it.

But it’s relevant said Jim.

RELAVENT!!! I’ll tell you what is and what is not fucking relevant in this investigation, do you understand.

Yes sir said Jim.

Have you got a theory? Said Nick.

Yes sir.

Right then let’s have it.

The man that shot Mrs. Daniels, I think we can discount Sergeant Daniels because it’s unlikely that logistically he could have but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t arrange it.

Motive?? Said Nick.

Some people can try their hardest to get over something that’s traumatised them and from the outside it can seem that they have. But they can harbour agonising hurt inside that just will not go away until eventually they have to do something about it.

So given what you now know Jim that could also apply to me, how do you know that I didn’t do it.

I know that you didn’t pull the trigger sir because you were in the office at the time, but it doesn’t mean to say you couldn’t have arranged it.

Well I didn’t said Nick, so if we’re going to crack this case we have to work together can you do that? Or do I have to get someone else to assist me.

Yes sir we’ve come this far and I want to see it through.

Excellent Jim now tell me one thing, I tore into you at the beginning of this meeting and you remained very calm and collected I admire that.

When I was new on the force said Jim anticipating the question, my sergeant at the time said to me “if someone snaps angrily at you snap back then duck” but I didn’t think that would work with you.

You’re right Jim said Nick, it wouldn’t have. I’m going to get a court order to seize the courier company’s paperwork and I’m also going to bail Sergeant Daniels because we have nothing to hold him any longer. What’s your next move Jim?

Well sir, I’ve so far been looking at who had a motive the courier company, Sergeant Daniels and yes even you. I’d like to switch that around and start looking for the man that actually pulled the trigger, for all we know this could even be a case of mistaken identity.

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Let’s look at this from the outside for a while, why would Jack Daniels have Jenny killed? Jim’s theory sounds very plausible but if Jack was going to have anyone killed I would have thought it would be Nick Slater.
Why would Nick Slater have Jenny killed? Likewise I would have thought that if anyone it would be Jack Daniels.
Now if it was the boss of the courier company, it would have been because he thought that Jenny had found out something that would cost him a lot of money (that’s if he is a drug baron of course).
Now the man who pulled the trigger, could it have been Ali the corner shop owner? If so what was his motive, Money? Or something we don’t yet know about.

Let me tell you this;

There are lots of reasons that someone would stoop to the low level of taking someone’s life. What goes on in a troubled persons mind is a very complicated issue; their sights are narrowly trained on their victim like a photographer with his camera set on aperture 1.8. For those of you that can’t make any sense of that if you put your camera on the lowest aperture it will zoom sharply onto the subject and blur out anything in the background. What I mean is that they usually are obsessed with what they want to do but rarely are they aware of the consequences, until of course they have carried out the deed. Then they desperately try to cover up, I haven’t seen anyone yet that is acting like that.

Although Jim Riley is still just a Detective Constable don’t underestimate him, he is very astute as far as persons behaviour is concerned.

By astute I mean that he has an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to his advantage.

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Jim sat at his desk trying to work through what kind of man was the shooter, it would seem that he was a professional because he left no trace of him being there and also there has never been any trace of the weapon.

Or....... he was seen there but had a legitimate reason for it........................................

We need to get Ali the shop owner in sir.

What have you got Jim said Nick.

He is the only one that we know of that was at the scene at the critical time.

Thank you for coming Mr Acharya said Jim, you’re not under arrest but this is an official interview so we have to have it recorded on tape.

Are you comfortable with that Mr Acharya?

Yes I am.

For the tape;
 Interview with Mr Ali Acharya case number 983Ce
Officers attending;
Detective Inspector Nick Slater and Detective Constable James Riley.

Ali, do you mind if I call you Ali? Jim asked.

Not at all.

Ali you were seen on CCTV on the morning of Mrs. Daniels’s murder, could you tell us exactly why you were at Mr Daniels door?

Yes I was delivering the morning papers.

Did you usually knock on peoples doors to deliver papers? Said Jim.

No not normally said Ali, but I remembered that it was Jack’s interview that day so I wanted to wish him luck.

You were good friends with the Daniels known them a good many years so I hear, was that both you and your wife or just you?

My wife said Ali, my wife met Jenny first, Jenny was the midwife attending the birth of our daughter at St. Mary’s. We became friends with Jack and Jenny some time later.

Oh said Jim do you have just the one child.

No said Ali, it’s just Saanvi and I our Daughter died a day after she was born.

I’m so sorry said Jim, please accept my condolences.

Back in Inspector Slater’s office;

Did you know that Jenny was a midwife sir, said Jim

Yes I did Jim, way back.

How’s the investigation into the courier company coming along said Jim.

I’ve got a team scouring through all their company files said Nick, but nothing so far it looks as though they may be legit.

What about this Jan person that went to Morocco with Jenny said Jim, do you know anything about her sir?

Good point said Nick; I don’t know anything about her. Look her up Jim I think we should speak to her.

Later in the general office, I’ve got an address for Janet Marriot sir shall we go round now?

You go Jim I’m tied up with this courier company paperwork said Nick.

Come in Detective Riley said Jan, would you like a cup of tea.

Yes please said Jim I’m sorry to trouble you it’s just a few questions about your relationship with Jenny Daniels.

Yes I gathered that said Jan please sit down make yourself comfortable. We didn’t see much of each other; we met about 6 years ago and became friends after meeting up a few times.

Where did you first meet Jenny? said Jim.

We met at St. Mary’s Hospital said Jan, I was in labour in the maternity department and she was the midwife.

Oh that’s nice said Jim, how old is your baby now?

Sadly he died when he was a couple of days old said Jan.

Jim sat at his desk in the general office, two people that knew jenny through her line of work he thought. Nothing unusual about that but..............Then his line of thought was interrupted by the entrance of Chief Inspector Rowling into the office.

The DCI walked straight through the general office and into Inspector Slater’s office, all eyes in the office were drawn to the window in Nick’s office where they could see the DCI standing over Nick with a very stern look on his face.

I’m getting pressure from the top Nick he said, this case is going nowhere so I’m taking over. The big problem is your past involvement with Jack and Jenny Daniels; there are some who think that not everyone who has a personal interest in this case are being investigated. I’m going to have to start with you Nick I’m sorry that I have to do this but it’s purely so that we are seen to be looking at every angle. I’m going to arrange for you and your wife Chloe to be interviewed and I’m going to have to have.........I apologise again for this, I’m going to have to have your house searched although I don’t expect for a second that we are going to find anything, it has to be done.

The DCI came out of Nick’s office and walked through the general office, with me Jim he said without even slowing his pace.

DC Riley followed the DCI into his office.

DC Riley this has become a very sensitive case said Rowling, we have a Detective Sergeant whose wife has been gunned down on her doorstep we have a Detective Inspector who is a good friend of the Detective Sergeant who doesn’t seem to be asking the right questions. I’m taking over the case Jim and I need your full support, DI Slater needs to be seen to be investigated do you understand?

Yes sir said Jim, you have my full support I’m currently following up leads on how the people who we are looking at regarding the case may or may not be connected.

Well done Jim said the DCI, keep on with that but firstly I have Inspector Slater’s full permission to search his house. I know this won’t be easy but I want you to take care of it, Mrs Slater will be at work so embarrassment will be minimal get it done now Jim it’s just a formality so let’s get it done as quickly as possible.

A team handpicked by Jim were searching downstairs at the house while he was upstairs going through Chloe’s things, he felt a mixture of emotions guilt, betrayal, embarrassment and an overwhelming desire to skip over it and just say that he had finished.

As he was going through the last few items in one of the drawers he pulled out a photograph, it was of a new born baby and written neatly along the bottom in ball point pen was....................

I’ve put your picture away
I cried for you today.

Jim was concerned; he had now found a connection between Jan, sanvi, Jenny and someone who had never entered the equation as far as he was concerned. Chloe had to be interviewed, but first they must interview Jack again he has to know the history behind these neonatal deaths.

Back in the DCI’s office;

I’ve spoken to the hospital sir but I can’t get any information on specific cases, in general cases they said that the most common birth defects that cause neonatal death are lung defects. It can happen when the lungs don’t develop correctly due to other birth defects or pregnancy problems; premature baby’s can have lung problems that cause neonatal deaths. We would have to get a court order to find out whether any mistakes or wrong doing on Jenny’s part had anything to do with these deaths, but I’m hoping the Sergeant Daniels can throw some light on the subject.

Do you really think that this is the route we should take Jim? said DCI Rowling.

It’s a line of enquiry that I don’t think should be ignored said Jim, I don’t think this was a professional hit I think it was carried out by a person with an obsession, a personal score that in their troubled mind had to be settled.

In the interview room;

Thanks for coming in Jack said the DCI, I’ll let Jim take it from here he’s following a line of enquiry that he thinks you may have some answers to.

Sergeant Daniels said Jim, did Jenny have any problems at St. Mary’s when she worked in maternity?

No said Jack.

Did she ever get unduly worried about any deaths that may have occurred soon after birth?

I wouldn’t call it unduly worried, but when a death occurred she always took it badly she felt for the mothers as anyone would.

So there were a few then said Jim.

Three that I know of said Jack, where is this leading? What has this got to do with Jenny’s death?

Was one of these mothers Chloe Slater? Asked Jim; ignoring Jacks questions.

You’ll have to ask Nick about that said Jack.

I’m asking you! Said Jim.

Yes!! Said Jack, I’m not an expert but I don’t think she ever got over it.

That’s all the questions I have sir, Jim said to the DCI.

OK Jack said the DCI that will be all for now.

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Neonatal deaths are not uncommon and as far as St. Mary’s are concerned these three deaths are the only ones recorded going back six years which makes their record impeccable by comparison. As far as Jenny’s record is concerned although all the deaths occurred under her jurisdiction  there was never any blame pointed toward her she carried out her job due diligence at all times.

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Saanvi  Acharya’s  interview:-

This is going to be difficult for you Saanvi and I’m really sorry but it’s important that we get an insight into your feelings toward Jenny at the time of your baby’s death.

I was devastated said Saanvi  but Jenny was so kind she said that our baby, had she survived would have been abnormal and perhaps it was for the best.

What about Ali? Said Jim, how did he take the news?

He was beside himself said Saanvi, he couldn’t take it in he kept saying abnormal? Abnormal? What did this woman mean? How would she know that?
It took him a long long time to get over it.

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Janet Marriot’s interview:-

You are never ever prepared for this kind of thing to happen to you, you blame everyone at the time, unfortunately the people you blame are often the people that have done the most to help you, said Jan.

Did you blame Jenny? Said Jim.

Yes I did said Jan, I hated her for a long time but time heals and you can’t carry on poisoning your mind with hate. You have to get on with your life.

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Chloe Slater’s interview:-

I don’t really want to talk about this said Chloe.

I know how you feel said Jim, I don’t ....................

You don’t know how I feel!! Interrupted Chloe.
You could never know!! How could you!! Nobody knows!!

You’re right Mrs, Slater said Jim I don’t know but I’m doing my best to understand.
This is difficult for me as it is for you .........................

No it’s not said Chloe!!! I couldn’t look at Jenny without thinking of my baby!! I’m obsessed with the thought that it was Jenny’s fault and I’m glad that she is dead!!

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Back in the DCI’s office Jim was looking drained.

My god sir Chloe was so angry.

Angry enough to kill? Said DCI Rowling.

I think so sir said Jim.

We have to tread carefully on this Jim, being angry isn’t a crime there’s so much more that we need not least a murder weapon. Anyway I’ve just had a call from Jack he said that he’s remembered something that happened at the murder scene, he’s on his way in.

Right Jack tell us in your own words, what is it that you’ve recalled?

It was while I was trying to perform the CPR said Jack, she was trying to speak I could barely hear her so I bent down close to her face and she said............

“There’s no such thing as abnormal...............just...........ordinary and extraordinary.”

I thought that it maybe be important.

Oh yes said Jim it is, very important............

What are your thoughts Jim? Said the DCI.

I’m trying not to make the same old mistake of jumping to conclusions sir otherwise we are going to keep on going round in circles. But either Ali did it or Jenny thought it was Ali at her doorstep with the gun.
Humour me for just a while please sir, just imagine that you are faced with a person pointing a gun at you your mind is all over the place you must be thinking at 100 miles an hour. You are thinking of the only person that you know...... if there is one..... that would want to do this to you.
Now add this into the equation, the face is covered but you recognise the voice, the stance or even the eyes and you associate the fact that you recognise them with your earlier thought of the person that you think may want to cause you harm.
I think that Jenny thought the gunman was Ali therefore giving Jack the “abnormal” clue but it still may be someone else that she recognised.
I’m sorry if that sounds a bit jumbled sir.

Not at all Jim said the DCI I absolutely understand what you mean, anything else?

Yes sir if it was Ali I think the murder weapon was or still is in the sports bag that Ali used to carry his newspapers.

Early the next morning before Ali had opened the shop Jim arrived at his flat above with a team of uniformed officers.

They met Ali coming out of the door to go down and open the shop.

Mr Acharya said Jim, I’m arresting you for the murder of Jenny Daniels you do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?

You’re mistaken said Ali I haven’t killed anyone.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Jim repeated.

Yes said Ali.

Saanvi was in tears and was being consoled by a WPC

Its OK Saanvi open the shop, everything will be all right, I’ll be back as soon as this is sorted shouted Ali.

Jim took Ali and left the team to search the flat.

For the tape;
 Interview with Ali Acharya case number 983Ce
Officers attending;
Detective Chief Inspector Rowling and Detective Constable James Riley.

We’ve brought you here today Mr Acharya because new evidence has come to light about Mrs Daniels’s murder said Jim, we believe that this evidence connects you to the case.
I see that you don’t have a solicitor with you, I would strongly advise you to have one or we can provide you with one.

I didn’t have anything to do with Jenny’s murder said Ali.

All the more reason you should have a solicitor said DCI Rowling, if you change your mind just say and we will arrange one for you.

Ali said Jim, after you spoke to Mr Daniels at his door that morning did you return a few minutes later to knock again and Jenny Daniels answered the door?

No I did not!! Said Ali, what is this new evidence?

After the sad death of your baby, did Jenny say that had she had lived she would have been abnormal and that perhaps it was for the best?

Ali remained silent.

You look disturbed by the question said Jim.

It’s not the question that I’m disturbed by it’s the subject!! Yes I’m still not over the death of our baby and no I did not blame Jenny, and no I did not kill Jenny. What more can I say? Why are you questioning me? Why not anyone else? Her friends, her work colleges, Aalea...............he stopped abruptly.

Do you know Aalia Abergel? Said DCI Rowling.

Ali remained silent.

I will ask you again said the DCI, DO YOU KNOW AALIA ABERGEL?

I need a solicitor said Ali.

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Back in the general office:-

Right listen up team, Abergel’s couriers I want everything I want a stake out close enough to the office so that you can see everything that they are doing 24 hours a day. I also want to know who the boss really is because I doubt that Aalia Abergel is working it alone and I want to know everyone and I mean everyone who is involved with the company.

Nothing came out of the search at Ali’s flat said Jim.

No said the DCI, that doesn’t surprise me.

For the tape;
 Interview with Ali Acharya case number 983Ce
Officers attending;
Detective Chief Inspector Rowling and Detective Constable James Riley.

Also attending;
Mr Acharya’s solicitor.

Before we go any further said Ali’s solicitor, my client would like to ask for a section 71.

That decision said Jim would be entirely up the CPS.

I’m aware of that said the solicitor but my client will say nothing until that happens.

I’m sure you are also aware said DCI Rowling that if your client say’s nothing at all a section 71 will never be an option. A section 71 is a formal agreement not to prosecute an offender in return for information leading to the prosecution of another offender or offenders for a more serious crime. Firstly your client has now admitted being an offender purely by asking for a section 71, secondly we must interview Mr Acharya to get at least a version of the information that he is prepared to give us.

Mr Acharya said DCI Rowling, tell us in your own words what information you can give that would qualify you for a section 71.

Someone came to my shop about a year ago and offered me work; they wanted to use me as a go between to take in certain parcels for collection. The money was good but I didn’t want to do it because it was so obvious that it wasn’t legal so I refused then they came back and were a bit more forceful, they said that something could happen to Saanvi if I didn’t comply so I took the parcels in and people came to the shop and collected them.

Are you saying that these people had something to do with Jenny’s death? said Jim.

Circumstances arose said Ali, where Jenny recognised and met the boss of this outfit and he was not pleased to say the least.

Do you think this man had Jenny killed? Said Jim.

That is all my client is prepared to say at this moment in time said Ali’s solicitor.

Interview terminated at 1700 hours.

I need protection said Ali.

Oh you’ll get that said the DCI, when you leave here you won’t leave our sight for a minute.

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Back in the DCI’s office.

I’m going to throw every recourse at this Jim said DCI Rowling, get round the clock surveillance on Ali’s shop right away before he leaves the building.

He’s bound to make phone calls sir said Jim, he won’t want us to find anything out before he gets his section 71.

That’s a chance we’ll have to take Jim, we’ve got nothing to hold him on.

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Surveillance number 1 the couriers office
DC Dave Watkins and DC Tom Bright

What’s the time Dave?

Quarter past seven.

How long have we been here?

Hours.

How does this place make any money? They don’t seem to get any customers.

Drugs.

When people call you interesting Dave is it because of your scintillating conversation?

Look Tom, I hate surveillance I don’t feel like talking in fact if you don’t shut up............Hang on there’s someone eying up the place.

Christ Dave!! It’s Inspector Slater get down out of sight.

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Surveillance number 2 Ali’s shop
WPC June Auckland and PC Will Hartwell

It’s great to out of uniform said June but I can’t help thinking that this is a complete waste of time.

Yes said Will there are plenty of customers coming and going but how the hell do we know whether they are in there to collect drug parcels or threaten Ali.

The brief is to look out for anyone suspicious then radio DC Riley.

Don’t make it obvious said Will but look over there.

My god said June its DS Daniels sitting in his car, do we tell DC Riley?

Wait!! Said Will there’s someone leading Ali out of the shop towards the car. Get on to Riley now NOW!!!

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Ali was bundled into Jack Daniels’s car then squad cars came from all directions surrounding the car, officers were out of the cars before they even stopped moving with guns drawn.

ARMED POLICE!!! GET OUT OF THE CAR!! GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW!!

Jack got out of the car and went down on his stomach, he knew the drill but the guy in the back had a gun to Ali’s head and had no intention of going anywhere.

BANG!!!! The bullet passed through Ali’s head, through the rear side window of the car and embedded itself into the front wing of the car that the terrified June and Will were in.

One of the armed officers fired twice into the car rendering the assailant lifeless.

Meanwhile inside the courier’s office Nick got a text message, it just said “GET OUT” it was from
Jack.

As Nick came out into the street the squad cars were just arriving, he ran down the street into an ally but officers were hot on his tail. He made a fruitless attempt at the fence that blocked the end of the ally and was arrested.

Explain yourself Nick said DCI Rowling, I have to warn you that DC Riley is in the other room interviewing Jack Daniels he is of the view that you and Jack were in cahoots with Aalia Albergel who is also in custody and the boss of the company to smuggle drugs into the country via the courier company.

Long before we were relieved of all duties said Nick, Jack and I suspected that the courier company were involved in Jenny’s murder and that there was man in Morocco controlling the whole outfit. So we went to see Assistant Chief Constable Simpson with our concerns that this case could only be cracked from the inside, she signed a document allowing us to go undercover and reporting only to her she also said that if anything went wrong “and it did” we were on our own and that she would deny all knowledge of our meeting.

How did you know about the man in Morocco? Said the DCI.

The postcard that Jack denied all knowledge of was from Jenny she spoke to Jack about it when she got home, she didn’t realise the significance of it but Jack caught on straight away and discussed it with me then we and we set about trying to identify this man.

What is his name? Said the DCI.

Sir you know more than anyone how experienced I am at this sort of thing, his cover was impeccable it was like he never existed, I don’t think that we will ever know.

A man was killed because of this complete balls up, what have you got to say about that? said DCI Rowling.

No one deserved it more than Ali said Nick, his need for a section 71 was a lot more than you know he got a call from Morocco, apparently she was the only person in the courier operation that ever set eyes on “the man” he was ordered to silence her.
He went round to Nick’s house that morning and when Nick answered the door he quickly came up with wishing him luck on his interview, then he went back 5 minutes later he knew Nick was on his way up to the shower so he was quite sure that Jenny would answer and when she did he shot her.

What about the gun? Said the DCI.

It arrived at Ali’s shop the same way as all the other parcels said Nick, then when the deed was done it was sent back to Morocco.

Tell me about today Nick, tell me about what led up to two of my surveillance officers being frightened half to death said the DCI.

Aalia got a call from “the man” telling him to have Ali picked up because he needed him gone for obvious reasons, so he called Jack and one of the other couriers to do it. Jack called me to tell me what was happening so I decided that we must end this now and went to the couriers to bring Aalia in, what happened next you probably know more than me.

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Well that’s the story from DI Slater Jim said the DCI, what did DS Daniels have to say for himself?

Much the same sir said Jim he managed to text Inspector Slater just before he got out of the car, he had no idea that Ali was in such immediate danger at that time.

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Back in the general office:-

Well done everyone said Chief Inspector Rowling I would like to welcome Sergeant Daniels and Inspector Slater back to the fold, they have done a very difficult job Aalia Abergel is saying nothing but we have enough on him to send him down for a while.
The main thing is that Jenny Daniels murderer is in the morgue killed by one of his own, Jack I know that you must still be badly affected by this so I hope that you will accept the counselling that has been offered to you.
In the meantime as you can see there is food, wine and beer laid out for you so enjoy and congratulations to all of you.

As Nick Slater reached past Jack Daniels for a sausage roll he whispered “ lay low for a while Jack I’ll let you know when we can resume business as usual, but watch out for Jim Riley he’s a dangerous man”

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The End (for now)