The Widows Woman (GirlxGirl)

Enough For Me

"How did Ben know about Thea?"

"You two had a viral video, remember La?" Brian was losing his patience now, she'd been interrogating him for the last hour.

"No, that she's police. How did he know?"

"So it seems your wife did a lot of damage to the Irish a couple of years ago. Put some of their top players away for life. They saw the video and it took a while but word got back."

"For fucks sake Thea, you don't mess with the Irish."

"Language, please. In front of the little one." Ruth demanded while her grandson sat there playing with a toy, completely oblivious to the strain in the room.

"Sorry." Carla said sincerely.

"Uh, it's my job babe." The cop said defensively. "I was undercover during that operation, there's no way they could have recognised me. I wore the itchiest wig for like six months."

"Oh they recognised you all right, the damage you did to that crew, I doubt they'll ever forget you. I don't think your height helps either. It's a dead give away."

"Oh good. I'll just crouch the next time then!"

"Your funny for a pig."

"Less of the pig!" Ruth didn't mention Jemal this time but she did point to him, making his father raise his hands in apology.

"Do you want a beer?" He asked Thea. He thought Carla was at ease, enough for him to stand up at least, so he walked to the fridge.

"No thanks. I'm driving." She wouldn't risk her reactions being slowed by alcohol until she had Carla safely back in their home.

"It's only one." He held it in front of her.

"Nah I'm good, honestly."

"Babe, take the beer my brother is offering you."

She could tell by Carla's face that this meant more than a beer somehow. This was his way of cementing trust in her despite the institution she belonged to. She took the tin out of his hand.

"Cheers. Thank you." It was barely cold and she really didn't want it but she pulled the ring and took a swig.

"Bens been spotted."

All three of them turned to look at Ruth. Carla then looked back at her wife who's colour had completely drained from her face.

"Where?" The cop asked, her heart beating fast in her chest.

"Walhamstow central, then Canary Wharf."

"What the fu-uudge? How was he able to do that without being picked up ma'am?" Thea asked through gritted teeth.

"It was noticed too late and don't make me explain to you the dangers of our dwindling resources and manpower. Do any of you have any idea what he'd be going there for? Who he could be meeting?"

"No." Ben and Carla said at the same time.

"It has to be Mantaz, she gets out and now he emerges? Its too coincidental. Is she paroled anywhere near there?"

"No Thea, her parole address is not on the system. The NCA is protecting her."

"NCA?" Carla asked. The little boy next to her smiled at the sound of her voice as if he had forgotten she was there. He put his toy down, abandoned the rest of his dinner and pulled himself up onto her lap. Carla helped him and lifted him instinctively without taking her eyes off the grown ups at the table.

"The National crime agency." Thea explained. "They released her, not our team. If her parole address isn't on the system, have they given her a new identity?"