To: pcbh-digest Subject: RR Chapter 29b (fwd) Originally sent by Della Mills : on Sun, 03 Aug 97 *** Start of forwarded message Chapter 29B Burke laughed at Meg. "Alright, Bitch. get a good look. You and me are gonna get real close." One of the two Police Officers accompanying him yanked Burke's arm. "Shut it, mate." And pulled him to the white line. Meg returned from her stupor and approached the other officer. "What's he doing back here?" The officer shrugged his shoulders and said, "It seems Burke has a lack of social integrity... He gets into fights." He leant closer to Meg and added, "Word got around that someone was going to do him in. Knowing how unpopular he is, we couldn't've begun to find out who had started the threat, so we had to move him." Meg was horrified, "But why here...?! Didn't anyone tell you the problems we had with him before?!" "Don't worry, we sympathise, but what can we do? We're back to the old problem of 'No space'." For a brief moment Meg seriously debated whether to get Dennis from the staff room and ask him to do the induction of Burke, but all in all she had never shirked from her responsibilities and was not about to start now; especially with someone as unlikeable as Burke. She approached the officer with Burke, took the papers from him and turned to his prisoner. "Your name is Francis Burke? Yes or no?" Burke took a long, lingering look at Meg then nodded, licking his lips suggestively. Meg did her best to ignore him, "You have been sentenced to Ten Years imprisonment for the rape of...and she listed them...one by one." "Hey," Burke interrupted her, "this is de-ja-vous." He smiled adding, "You gonna watch me shower?" And laughed manically. The two Police officers escorted Burke from reception. Meg followed at a discreet distance, dispising Burke's laughing. Dennis made his way to Isolation with a plate of sandwiches and a hot mug of tea. He had not been told what cell Heather was in, but all were open barring one. Juggling the plate on one arm with the tea in that hand, he placed the key into the lock, turned it and opened the door. He stood in the doorway for a moment looking across the cell to the bed. Heather was fast asleep. He felt strangely comforted that she was asleep. What he had to say to her could quite easily wait until another time. However, if there was a chance that she should wake during the night; he placed the sandwiches beside her bed and left the cell with the tea. Meg Morris seated herself at the table in the staff tearoom and wished to God someone could do something about Burke. She had not been in the mood for the likes of him and seeing him only deepened her moodiness. It also reminded her the injustice of the system. Someone like Heather Rogers having to share the same prison with the likes of Burke. His return boded an ill wind, she was sure of it. Dennis entered still holding the mug of tea. He smiled seeing Meg. When he thought about it, he had never frowned upon her. She always had the knack of conjuring a smile from him, whatever the circumstances. 'If he had not met Heather...' He left the thought exactly there. It wasn't worth bothering about. He had met Heather and his feelings for her were never going to change, no matter the circumstances. Meg looked up at him. "Did you see Heather?" He nodded. "She was asleep. She should get as much rest as possible, 'cos I don't think her stay here is going to be the most enjoyable time of her life. Still, I'll be on hand to make sure nothing bad comes of her." "Which is just as well." She frowned, "Frank Burke," she almost spat the words, "Frank Burke is back with us." "W-what?!!" "Just now. Apparently someone had threatened his life and because there's nowhere else to go, they've sent him back here." Dennis was gob-smacked. "I-I don't believe it. Does Anne know?" Meg shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm sure she'd have said. Which reminds me, I must call her." She stood to leave. "Look Meg," he began slightly embarrassed, "I'm sorry about earlier on. I appreciated you telling me...Well...," he smiled, "well, telling me off." She laughed. "I deserved it." he added, " And I promise not to let Heather come between me and my work. For her sake." To make up the time he had been missing for at Wentworth, when Pat Slattery called in sick, Dennis volunteered to do a double shift. "You don't mind, Dennis?" Anne asked. "I wasn't here for most of my shift yesterday, Mrs Reynolds, doing an extra turn won't be too bad." "Well, if you're sure, then thank-you." She paused a moment in thought, then, "Frank Burke." Dennis frowned knowingly. He suspected what was about to be said. "You want me to keep an eye on him." "I'm sorry, Dennis, but yes. I know the problems you've had with him the past and because of that, I think you are the most qualified to do so." "And when I'm not here?" "Then Burke will be locked in his cell." "Okay, Mrs Reynolds, though I hope contact with him will be minimal." "As we all do, Dennis, but you know as well as I do the chance of that." There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Meg entered the office with an armful of papers and smiled at Anne and Dennis. Anne Reynolds sighed on seeing the papers. "Perhaps I will have a better chance of avoiding Burke than you, Dennis." And smiled sympathetically. Meg placed the papers onto Anne's desk. "Keane and Mitchell are being returned to us today. Do you want me to do the inductions, Anne?" "If you would, Meg." A bell rang in the corridor. "Well," Dennis interjected, "Best get to the women and see that they're fed." And left the office. Anne frowned at Meg, "He's not happy that Burke has been returned to us and coupled with that I've given him the job of keeping tabs on him." "Well, Anne, with Heather in Isolation as well I don't think he's too upset at the assignment." She smiled. "He was looking for a good excuse to see Heather on a regular basis without the other woman thinking it was favouritism." "I don't think the women would've thought that in any case, Meg. He's quite popular with the woman is our..." She laughed, "...our 'Yorkshire Pud'." All the women had showered and were now in the eating area having their Breakfast; that left Burke and Heather to see to. Heather was Dennis' first choice. 'Better to leave Burke until last.' He thought. Dennis turned the corner into the corridor of Isolation. He had mixed feelings concerning the two he was about to see. Since Meg had told him of Burke's return he had been dreading this, but Heather he was eager to see her; to explain his absence. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks and listened...Silence...and yet he could have sworn he had heard something.... All at once a prickle of fear shot down the length of his spine. A muffled scream. "Heather...!!!" he gasped and ran the length of the corridor with fear propelling him forward at speed. He heard it again and knew where it came from. He entered Burke's cell ready for a confrontation, however the sight that greeted him rooted him to the spot. Heather was sprawled across the bed. The dungarees each woman was given on entry into Wentworth, were at her ankles. The top she wore beneath the dungarees had been lifted, revealing her breasts. Burke was hungrily kissing them, muttering disgusting words of pleasure. Heather was in tears and helpless to stop him. Dennis growled with anger and launched himself at Burke. "Ge-e-e-t...O-f-f!!!" Burke yelled and shoved Dennis across the room. Without so much as a glance at him, Burke resumed his molesting of Heather with a fervent hunger only an animal might display after a kill. Winded, Dennis picked himself up from the floor and charged at Burke. All he could see was Heather and her helplessness. All he could feel was anger. He threw a punch with the hope of disarming Burke of his intentions and made contact with the back of his head. Burke fell from Heather, lay on the floor and groaned. Dennis quickly lifted Heather from the bed and carried her to the queezed her tight. She screamed with fright and fiercely shoved the arm away. "No!! Please, no...!!" Two hands lifted her chin upwards and the voice spoke again. "It's me, love...Dennis. C'mon, open your eyes." His voice betrayed his pain and concern. Heather heard his voice break. She opened her eyes and found him looking back down at her with a face full of concern. Her relief was overwhelming. She broke down completely. "I-I've got to leave you for a moment." He began and as she looked towards the cell, added, "Don't worry, Heath, he won't bother you." She was not convinced, however, she nodded, pulled her legs to her chest and watched him go; only weeping when he had disappeared around the corner. Each breath he took was painful and by the time he had turned the corner, he had begun to wheeze with the effort of breathing. "Dennis...?" Meg muttered as she approached him. "Are you alright...?" He knew he had been operating on adrenaline for some time, but now he could feel the shock starting to take a hold. Without warning he pitched forward and slumped to the ground. Meg squealed with surprise. "Dennis!!!" She knelt beside him, feeling for a pulse. At her touch he started to regain some thread of consciousness. "H-Heather, Meg...Burke..." He murmured and then passed out. Heather began to weep, then stopped as a groan from the cell filtered through her sobs. "Oh my God...No!!!" she whispered and begun edging along the wall away from the cell door. The tears started to fall again, only now they contained genuine fear... "Hurry, Den... Hurry." He used to give me roses... Della Mills *** End of forwarded message -- Chris Hewitt - chris@chewy.demon.co.uk ** Chewy on IRC ** Team AMIGA The Chewy Pages - http://www.chewy.demon.co.uk/ `It must be worth losing If it is worth something' - Talula - Tori Amos