In the anticlimax after intense action it is surprising how long it seems to take when you are waiting for the next thing to happen. It took the ambulance twelve minutes to arrive during which time Susan got Dee covered in a blanket and made her a cup of tea. Twelve minutes is good, but it is still outside the government’s target time, but what do they know. Two minutes later the first of the police officers arrived. Basically they just secured the crime scene and made sure there was no ongoing offence being committed. The next person to arrive was Helen, who went into the kitchen with Dee and Susan. By the time anyone senior arrived, about half an hour later, she had obtained the full story from Susan and Dee.

“So,” Helen consulted the notes she had made as she quizzed Susan and Dee, “Dee you say that this man, who you know as Gordon Rogers, is your step father, and he arrived here today, entered without invitation and raped you,” Dee nodded. “ Going back, he started abusing you shortly after he married your mother when you were sixteen, and then after your mother disappeared, he told you she died, but you never attended a funeral. He sold you,” Helen shook her head in amazement as she found this difficult to comprehend, “to Susan’s father when you were eighteen, and that was shortly after your mother disappeared. Susan, your mother died when you were eight, but you don’t know more than that, she just wasn’t there one day, and your father told you she had died. And then today, this man Rogers, was here when you got in. He told you that Dee was supposed to take you to him in the event of your father’s death since you were now his property, and Dee had reverted to being his property too. You don’t remember this instruction Dee?” Dee shook her head. “Why didn’t he know where to find you?”

“We moved shortly after Dee arrived,” said Susan. “I don’t suppose father told him, though I’ve no idea why.”

“Right,” Helen nodded. “We’ll stick to the facts of Dee’s rape and Susan’s rescue, I think, as far as today is concerned. I have a feeling there is a lot more here, but I’ll deal with that. Now Susan, you know that your martial arts training counts as a weapon to a court?”

“Yes,” said Susan.

“I don’t see any reason why anyone should see that as a problem,” Helen went on, “but it is something we must bear in mind. Did you use excessive force?”

“I don’t think so,” Susan replied. “It’s difficult to know what constitutes excessive force. I mean, I didn’t want him to get up and try again.”

“That’s true,” Helen agreed. “But I don’t think there will be any problem, but it’s something you should remember in future. I must say you are holding up very well, Susan.”

“I have to look after Dee,” Susan said with a lopsided smile. “Later I shall probably fall apart.”

There were noises of someone else arriving and a few moments later a plain clothed policeman and a couple of police women arrived, and the full panoply of crime scene investigation started in earnest. Dee disappeared with a policewoman with assurances from Susan that she would be there when she needed her.

The senior officer entered the kitchen.

“No chance of a cuppa is there?”

“Detective Inspector Yates, known to all as Rowdy,” Helen introduced him. “Pop the kettle on would you, Susan. Otherwise he’ll dry out.”

Susan looked puzzled but got up to do as she was asked.

“It was a character in an old cowboy series,” Helen explained, “probably before you were born my dear. Played by Clint Eastwood, though, you must have heard of him.”

“Oh, right,” Susan acknowledged. “Does he have a proper name?”

“No idea,” said Helen, turning to the inspector. “Do you?”

“Yes, between me and HMRC. I’ll never escape Rowdy though,” said the inspector. “Now, you’re the hero of the hour,” he addressed Susan. “But what are you doing here Helen?”

“Susan is one of our up and coming models and actresses,” said Helen. “A hot property, and I am here to protect her, and our interests from the heavy hand of the law,” she grinned.

“With the emphasis on your interests if I know anything. Fair enough,” Rowdy sipped the tea he had just been handed. “Now, tell me what happened.”

Susan gave him a statement about the events from the beginning to the arrival of the first officers.

“And you aimed him into the companion set?” asked Rowdy, with an ironic smile, when she had finished.

“No,” Susan replied. “I aimed for the grate, but I underestimated his weight”

Helen’s face was a mask of horror.

Rowdy grinned. “I didn’t hear that,” he said. “And for fucks sake don’t repeat it. Some one will start asking questions about excessive force.”

Rowdy drained his mug. “Can you get Susan to write a statement, Helen, and I’ll go and make sure everything is going properly.” He looked at her. “You’ve something else you want to talk about, I think. I’ll be back.”

“That was Arnie not Clint,” said Helen, “but yes.”

“Hasta la vista,” Rowdy quipped as he went out.

When Inspector Yates returned almost an hour later Susan got up and put the kettle on.

“Well now,” he began. “He doesn’t seem to be Gordon Rogers. His wallet contains credit cards in several names, none of which seem to fit and aren’t in that name. In fact we don’t know who he is at the moment. The car is taxed and insured by a company, but that is fictitious and I expect the address will just be an accommodation one. They’re usually a corner shop or the like. Thank you,” he said as Susan put a mug of tea in front of him.

“You’ve certainly got a lot done,” said Helen. “Even if it is negative.”

“Humm.”

He picked up Susan’s statement and read it through.

“What are your thoughts, Helen?” he asked when he had finished reading.

“I think there is a lot more to this. Dee said she was sold to Susan’s father by this man who she says is her stepfather, and he expected to own Susan on her father’s death.” There was a snort from Susan. “Quite so, my dear. And then there is the problem of the disappearing mothers.”

“I haven’t got to that bit.”

“It’s not in there, but both girls were told that their mothers are dead. But neither have any proof of that, nor did they attend funerals. They just disappeared. So what is going on?”

They heard the front door open, a greeting from the constable guarding it, and a direction to the kitchen. A young man entered. Rowdy looked at Susan, pushed his mug towards her, and grinned. She got up to put the kettle on.

“I’m going to run out of milk at this rate,” she commented.

The new arrival grinned and nodded to Helen. “Black coffee would be fine for me,” he said.

“This is Sergeant Peters, Susan,” said Rowdy, by way of introduction. “Anything new Andy?”

“They’re still processing the, umm, lady, Sir,” he managed to avoid saying victim. “They are going to sedate her and keep her in overnight. The man, whoever he is, has had his face tidied up. Who hit him by the way?”

“Susan,” Rowdy nodded towards her. “He collided with the fireside companion set.”

“Right, Sir. Must have been pretty hard,” Andy went on. “Anyway, they are watching him for concussion, and strangely they say he has considerable bruising to his, umm, scrotum, Sir. Not sure how that happened.”

Rowdy looked at Susan who had the good grace to blush.

“Hmm ... you did a bit of a number on him,” he told Susan.

Andy Peters looked at Susan and smiled. Susan returned the smile. Helen saw the exchange, sighed, and looked heavenwards, realising what the exchange of those smiles meant.

“By the way, Sir,” said Andy, getting back to business, “we seem to be putting a lot of pressure on this.”

“Yes,” said Rowdy. “Your mother thinks there is more to this than meets the eye, and a lifetime of experience has told me she has a good nose. So no harm in looking at it to see if she’s right.”

Susan looked at Andy, and then at Helen. “You’re Helen Peters, and ... So you’re his mother.”

“Yes,” said Helen proudly, “My handsome boy is a cop.”

Susan looked at Andy, “Mmm, he is isn’t he,” she said. “A policeman, I mean,” she finished to general laughter.

There was the sound of the front door opening as Frankie arrived home. She came into the kitchen and stood still, looking quizzically from person to person.

“Who are you?” asked Rowdy.

“Frankie Lane, Mr Yates,” said Frankie, who clearly knew who Rowdy was.

“Frankie is staying with us because her stepmother just threw her out,” said Susan. “Her dad just died.”

“Oh! You’re Brian Lane’s daughter. My word you’ve grown since I last saw you,” said Rowdy. “I was sorry to hear about your dad, he was a good man. Okay, we’ll get going. And Andy, take your eyes of that girl. Just remember what she did to that bloke in hospital. Beautiful, but deadly.” he winked at Susan. “Come on, we’ve work to do. I’ll have a patrol car keep an eye on you Susan. Although I’m not entirely sure that is necessary,” he laughed, and they left. As they did so Andy looked over his shoulder and smiled at Susan.

Susan introduced Frankie to Helen.

“Well, you’ve made a hit with my son, Susan,” Helen smiled. “And with Rowdy too, I think. Now you got Frankie to keep you company. I was going to ask if there was anyone, and I’m sure that she would like to know what has been going on. So I too, am going to leave you. I need to check what is going into the local paper about this. I’ll be in touch soon, and I expect Andy will keep you up to date too. Be gentle with him,” Helen smiled. “Don’t eat him, not all at once anyway.”

And with that Susan was left to explain to Frankie all about the afternoon and evening’s happenings.

Frankie was quiet for a while after Susan had filled her in on all that had happened.

“D’you think he’ll be back,” she asked Susan.

“Not any time soon,” Susan told her. “For one thing I did a proper job of kicking him in the bollocks. If he can walk before next week I’d be surprised. And then he is under arrest anyway, and they aren’t going to let him go, there are too many unanswered questions.”

“I’m not sure whether you’re too dangerous to know or what,” said Frankie, thoughtfully. “But I know you’ll protect me. It’s just whether I can cope with the, umm ... excitement.”

“Shall we go to bed,” Susan asked. “If you don’t mind a bit of excitement we could take a mug of hot chocolate with us.”

Frankie giggled. “You certainly do know how to look after a girl.”

“How did your evening go?” Susan asked. “With everything else happening I had completely forgotten.”

“I’m not surprised at that,” said Frankie. “I went to see Julia and Sarah. I’ve got to know them because they make stuff for the umm ... oh, bondage stuff,” Frankie coloured as she usually did when she mentioned that. “so I’ve had a nice evening.”

“Oh, right,” said Susan, “I don’t know them.”

“Julia’s a blacksmith, she’s in a wheelchair, and Sarah is a cabinet maker. She makes lovely furniture.”

The next morning Frankie left for work, and Susan called the hospital to be told to bring some clothes for Dee and then she could take her home. As ever, it took some time to get Dee checked out by the time all the paperwork had been completed, and medication checked. Whilst this was happening Inspector Yates turned up to ask Dee some more questions. This time it concerned where she used to live before she was ‘sold’ to Susan’s father. Dee had no difficulty remembering the address and Rowdy thanked her, and immediately got on the phone to give it to someone else.

As soon as they were in the car Dee grabbed Susan into a hug and burst into tears.

“I’m nothing but a burden to you,” she sobbed. “They asked me if I wanted counselling, but I don’t think it would do any good at my age.” she sobbed again. “They gave me a morning after pill, just in case,” she said. “I would like a baby though,” she shuddered, “but not his. It would be like giving birth the the Devil’s child.”

“I certainly agree with you there. But I don’t see why you shouldn’t have a baby,” Susan held her, stroking her hair. “I think you should try and have counselling. And you are certainly not a burden. If nothing else you keep the house, and you have a job which you enjoy. And since we’ve settled our differences I like having you around. The police will sort this problem out. Inspector Yates seems very good. And his sergeant is umm ... well, I like him.”

Dee looked up at Susan, there had been something in her voice when she spoke about the sergeant. She perked up.

“Oh yes,” Dee grinned. “What’s his name, this sergeant? Good looking is he?” she asked Susan.

“Mmm, certainly not, well, alright I suppose,” Susan blushed. “It’s just that he’s helping us ... you know.”

“Oh I’m sure I know,” Dee was actually enjoying herself pulling Susan’s leg.

“And I seem to remember someone being very interested in James, the agency chauffeur.

“Different entirely,” Dee laughed. “and I expect he’s married anyway.”

“No, he isn’t. I’ll tell him you’re interested, if you like,” Susan rejoined.

“Don’t you dare! Last thing I need in my life is another man,” Dee averred.

“There,” said Susan laughing, “you’re better already. And I think getting out and about would be good for you.”

Dee made no further comment as they arrived at home.

Susan got Dee to shower and wash her hair to get rid of the ‘hospital’ smell. With a change of clothes she took Dee out for lunch and then an afternoon of shopping.

On the way home Susan’s phone rang. She passed it to Dee to answer.

Dee paused after saying hello, and then giggled. “No, it’s Dee, Susan’s driving.” she grinned at Susan. “It’s your sergeant,” she giggled again. “Yes, we’ll be there in about ten minutes. She’s looking forward to seeing you.” She rang off and giggled again.