But what about the attack on Langton?'

You tell me, case left open...' Lewis rubbed his eyes wearily. I can't start hunting them down in my free time, for Chrissakes; besides, we don't even know where to start looking. We think the bastard is already out of the countryI told you that. The murder enquiry was over when we caught the killer and he got sent down for life.'

But what if Langton's life sentence is him stuck in a fucking wheelchair?' she snapped.

Look, don't do this. It's out of our hands. He's alive.'

You mean there would be a bigger enquiry if he was deadif he'd died from his wounds? Is that what you are saying?'

No!'

Then what is happening about tracking down the men who did this to him?'

Lewis sighed. There is a new division set up to deal with all the problems surrounding immigration, illegal immigrants, parole jumpers, et cetera. The Home Office are backing them, and-'

That sounds like a big whitewash load of crap,' she said furiously.

Maybe it is, but it's ongoing, and maybe you need to talk to them. But...' He hesitated.

But what?'

Well, word of warning. You are part of the murder squad; they are a different department, so you don't want to muddy the waters.'

Muddy the waters?'

Yeah. If you start making moves on them, they won't like it. As it is, they're keeping their heads down because of all the bad press.'

Oh, I see. That's all Langton isbad press? I don't believe what I am hearing, Mike. He almost died!'

Lewis turned angrily towards her. I know that, for ChrissakesI was there, all right? But at the same time, I have my career to think about. I've got a toddler and a baby on the way and I can't afford to lose out by switching divisions. I've worked hard enough to get to where I am now.'

You got there because of Langton and you know it.'

Lewis had to clench his fists, she was making him so angry; beneath it was his guilt, because he knew she was right.

Listen, Anna, back off me. I'm keeping up to date with any new developments, but I am not going to become a vigilante trying to track down this bastard. We've already been told he is more than likely back in Somalia. They use fake passports; he could have switched his name a dozen times by now!'

What about the others? There were other suspects, weren't there?'

Yes,' he sighed again, looking unutterably weary.

What about them?'

We're trying to find them, but Krasiniqe, the guy we arrested for Carly Ann's murder, is in prison, terrified because he named them in the first place. He keeps on about voodoo and they had to place him in a segregation wing because he's so scared he's going to be killed. Don't think I just walked away from this, because I didn't. I tried; Barolli tried. Now we just have to get on with our lives.'

Anna closed the door behind him. She could hardly bring herself to be pleasant, or thank him for coming to see her. She found it so hard to believe that after what had happened to Langton, no one seemed to be mounting a full-scale operation to nail down his attacker.

She looked at all the cuttings Lewis had spread out over the coffee-table. No wonder Langton was depressed. Having almost died from his injuries, he was now trapped in a wheelchair with little hope of ever returning to work. He also must know that there appeared to be equally little hope of ever bringing to justice the man who had put him there.

Anna checked the time: it was now nearly four, so she decided she would buy some grapes and smoked salmon and bagels to take to Glebe House. She placed all the cuttings back into the folder and then picked up the case file Lewis had left on his previous visit.

The mortuary shots of Carly Ann North were horrific; she had suffered appalling injuries at the hands of her killer. Anna read and reread the way he had been arrested. A police officer on patrol had radioed in for assistance, after seeing the men with the body. He had arrested Idris Krasiniqe, who had really put up a fight, but the other two men had run for it as soon as the patrol car was visible. During Langton's interrogation, Idris admitted that he had killed Carly Ann but insisted that the other two men were also there when she was killed, holding her down. He also admitted that they had gang-raped her. They had DNA evidence to verify this. Idris's lawyers hoped to get a more lenient sentence for him, for helping the police by naming his friends. He had to give an address. Accompanied by Lewis and Barolli, Langton went to question them. The attack on Langton had taken place in the hallway of the residence. Both men escaped.

Anna suddenly realized the time. Abandoning her reading, she changed and hurried out, heading for the M4 via a deli. All the way there, her mind churned over and over her conversation with Lewis and her take on the case file. She had changed her mind about what to do with the newspaper cuttings: they were now in her briefcase.

Anna parked her Mini and bent into the back seat to collect the groceries and the files; when she turned round, she nearly dropped them all.

Langton was standing on the steps of the Glebe House. Standingand with a grin stretched from ear to ear. He waved.

Anna ran to him, overcome with emotion.

Now don't you grab me, or I could fall over,' he said.

I don't believe it!'

You'd better. I've walked from the lounge to here unaided and now I am going to walk back in there.'

Anna watched as he turned slowly and walked, step-by-step, opening the door for her; then, a little unsteady, he kept on walking towards the lounge. She saw him wince in pain, but he was so determined to keep on his feet that he refused to even place a hand against the wall to steady himself.

He eventually got to a big comfortable wingback chair and eased his body down. Then he looked up at her. His face was glistening with sweat.

I'm coming back, Anna! Gimme a few more days, I'll run out there to meet you.'

Anna put down her briefcase and groceries on a table as he raised his hand to her.

Come here, you.' He drew her close and she bent down to kiss him, trying hard not to cry. He kissed her right back and then gave a long sigh. If I keep going at this rate, I'll be home by the end of next week.'

She drew up a chair to sit close to him.

What do you think?' he asked.

I think that would be wonderful,' she said, taking out the grapes and smoked salmon and bagels.

He had shaved and was wearing a shirt and trousers rather than pyjamas, though he still had slippers on his feet.

So,' he said, still with that smile on his face. How's your day been?'

Chapter Four.

Langton was not exactly back to his old self, but the advancements he had made physically had given him a new energy and confidence. Anna suspected he was probably fuelled with painkillers, but it didn't matter. He had been in such good spirits, she decided not to make him think about his case or go over the discussion she'd had with Lewis.

Sunday found him in an even better state, both physically and mentally, but Anna did not bring up his case, as Barolli and his wife turned up and, no sooner had they left, his ex-wife and stepdaughter arrived. Kitty was such a sweet child and his interaction with her was very moving for Anna to watch. Lorna, his ex-wife, was very much the focus of attention: another reason for Anna to remain quiet. Lorna was cordial to Anna, but she still felt slightly out of the loop, as they discussed Lorna's baby son and she showed Langton photographs. Anna was totally unaware that Lorna even had another child; there was no mention of who her new partner was, or even if she had one. Anna felt so excluded that she decided that it would be best if she left, to allow Kitty and Lorna to spend more time alone with Jimmy. She was disappointed that he wasn't more eager for her to stay, but he did kiss her and say to Lorna how much she had done for him.

I might not be able to see you tomorrow,' she told him, as we will be going to trial soon and-'

He wafted his hand. Yeah yeah, you do what you have to do. Call me, okay?'

Yes, I'll call you.'

She kissed him goodbye. It was sweet, the way Kitty insisted she walk with her to her car. The little girl was really adorable and so full of energy; she chit-chattered nineteen to the dozen about riding her pony and taking piano lessons. Sometimes, she referred to Langton as Papa but would also call him by his Christian name.

You love him lots, don't you?' Anna said, as she bleeped open her Mini.

Yes, 'cos he's so much fun. Now with Tommy, I don't get to see him as much as I used to.' She was hopping from one foot to the other.

How old is Tommy?'

He's eighteen months and can't talk yet. He's always crying, 'cos some more of his teeth are coming.'

Who's Mummy's friend?' Anna asked, rather coyly.

What friend?'

Well, who do you live with now, apart from Mummy?'

Oh, no one, we just live together.'

I see, so who looks after Tommy?'

Nanawe have a Nana. She lives with us most days, but goes home at weekends.'

At that moment, Lorna came out and called to Kitty, worried about her. Kitty gave a wave to Anna as she returned to her mother. Lorna also waved to Anna as she drove out of the car park.

When she let herself into her flat, Anna was feeling at odds. Sometimes, it felt as if she never really knew Langton at all. Not that he was secretivejust that he didn't ever really discuss his past life.

As she was getting ready for bed, the phone rang. It was Langton. He sounded quite drunk.

Eh, how you doing?'

I'm doing fine. Good thing is, so are you.'

Yep, I'm doing great. It got a bit tiring with so many visitors. I'm going to crash out soon for an early night.'

Me too.'

Thanks for the goodies you brought. Kitty ate most of the grapes.'

She's lovely.'

Yeah, she's growing up fine.'

Very pretty.'

Yep, takes after her mother.'

Yes.'

Okay, just called to see if you were home safe and sound.'

I am.'

Good. So I won't see you tomorrow?'

No, I'm in court.'

Okay, well, whenever. Sleep tight. Love you.'

I love you too.'

There was a pause. Yes, I know,' he said softly.

Goodnight then.'

Goodnight.'

He ended the call. She held the receiver in her hand a moment before she replaced it.

Anna did not actually have much to do at all. A trial date had now been set, so the incident room was being cleared and all papers and documents pertaining to the case were being selected. The defence and prosecution would contact them for further details but, apart from that, the team would be disbanded. Anna could either be assigned to another case or remain working with Sheldon, depending on what he was involved in. She had grown to quite like Harry Blunt; he really did suit his name. He was standing by a filing cabinet, when Brandon sailed in with a waft of his cologne.

Harry turned to him. Do you mind me saying something personal?'

Depends on what it is.'

It's that bloody cologne you splash over yourself. It really makes me feel nauseous, especially at this time in the morning.'

It's expensive,' Brandon said defensively.

Well, I'm sorry, but maybe you should not use so much.'

You ever tried using something on yourself? Your own personal hygiene has a lot to answer for. BO preferable to you, is it?'

The two men glared at each other, then Brandon turned to Anna. What do you think?'

She shrugged.

Go on, you can tell mewhat do you think? Most women like it; in fact, it was my girlfriend who gave it to me.'

Maybe you are used to it. As it's obviously a very expensive cologne, perhaps you need only a little dab or so.'

You see?' Brandon turned to Harry. She likes it.'

Harry gave a grunt and walked off, as Brandon went over to the other women in the incident room. Anna gave a covert look: one after the other was asked to smell his cheeks. It was really quite funny; Brandon was obviously upset.