Sub Plot - Sandra

It was PC Dennis Bates first night in the area car. Dennis knew that the sergeant had only put him in the car because the regular man had gone sick, but he felt excited and honoured to be chosen over the other two new rookies at Ledbury station. 
His crew partner and driver for the shift was Arthur Smith.  Arthur had fifteen years behind him in the police force and boasted that there was not a dark alley he did not know. Nor a villains face he couldn't put a name too on their patch.
The night had started quietly enough. They had driven around the outskirts of the town, checking out the regular trouble hotspots. Spoken to a couple of teenage boys and were then thinking about taking a refreshment break at the station when the call came through.
"999 to 26 West Street, female very distressed. Sounds like its just a domestic but check it out please"
"Roger, Sergeant on our way". Dennis replied.
Arthur groaned "Damn domestics, they're a waste of time. Spend two hours taking a statement then the good lady rings in the next day  to say she's changed her mind and does not want to press charges. Still it will be good experience for you Dennis".
Dennis grabbed the dashboard as Arthur took a sharp right at The Swan.
"Ah, Yes - thought I recognized the address I've been here before a couple of times. Once to interview the bloke about some allegations of fraud and once to return a small child I found crying her eyes out on Duggan Street. Told me she was looking for her Grandmother,bless her. Well here we are then, lets see whats up." Dennis grabbed his helmet and jumped out, followed closely by Arthur.
Dennis banged on the door twice, "Police" he shouted, then tried the door. "Its bolted on the inside Arthur" they were about too look for another way in when May opened the door.
"Thank Goodness you are here* she said as the officers walked past her into the living room where Doreen still laid on the floor.
Arthur knelt down beside her and spoke to her "Who did this to you sweetheart?" he asked. Doreen turned her head and seeing the gash on her face Arthur asked \Dennis to call in for an Ambulance.
"Where is he?" Arthur asked. Doreen was silent. May who was standing behind them spoke,
"It was her boyfriend Carl Perkins, he ran off when he heard the police car." .
"Which way did he go?" Dennis asked.
"Out the back" May said. "
"Any idea where he might have gone love" Arthur looked enquiringly at Doreen.
"His shed up on the allotments, he will probably go there". She replied so quietly Arthur could hardly hear her.. Arthur straightened up, "Come on Dennis lets go, this good lady can wait here for the ambulance,." he said pointing at May. May took the officers through the kitchen to the back door. "There's a short cut", she started "I know" said Arthur  " Don't worry love we will find the blighter, Just tell me which allotment is his?"
".If you go up blind alley theres a big gap in the hedge on the left - go through the gap and Carl's shed is the third one you come too".
"Righto, got your torch Dennis, Good lets go".
Dennis and Arthur made their way through the back yard and out the gate into the alley. Both officers loosened their truncheons and wrapped the leather straps tightly around their wrists.
Neither spoke as they walked quickly along, hidden from the allotment by the tall hedge.  Dennis grabbed Arthurs sleeve and pointed out the gap that May had mentioned.  They moved silently one behind the other, above them an owl hooted and Dennis started making Arthur smile to himself.  'These youngsters', he thought,' think they know it all but jump out of their skins when an owl hoots'.
All the sheds were in darkness and as they approached Carl's shed they wondered if Doreen was wrong.
There was no sign that he was there or had been there that night.. Dennis gingerly tried the door which was locked.
"He is not here Dennis." Arthur said."But we might as well have a look in the shed whilst we are here."
"Should we do that Arthur? Isn't that against the regulations?"
"When you have done this job as long as I have you will realize you have to bend the rules a bit or you never get anywhere. Now help me kick this door in". Arthur replied.
Dennis kicked sharply at the latch and the door panel broke open.
He shone the torch around the shed - all the usual garden implements, a pile of mens magazines. he picked one up and put it down again quickly. Arthur picked one up and put it inside his tunic. " Save that for later" he winked at Dennis. 
They were about to leave when Dennis spotted a tarpaulin which had been pulled over some boxes at the back of the shed. he pulled the tarpaulin back. Arthur whistled - "Well lad, what have we got here then?" .
"Looks like its the proceeds from that house break last week" Dennis grinned.
Arthur grinned back, "Well something tells me that Mr Carl Perkins, whereever he is has a few questions to answer".