Play@YSDC

Kris paused to think things through. ”I really need to get Balfour’s car to the station,” he said. ”The boss isn’t going to be happy if I start driving it around here, there and everywhere.”

”I’ll drop it off and then walk over to the cafe. That shouldn’t take too long. Simon can come back and look at the book, then, while we talk to the cafe owner.” ’Unless you’ve completely fucked that up,’ he thought to himself.

“While you’re waiting, you could see if any of the clientele look like that Johnny Zero character - he’s got neck tattoos - he’s looking out for Lewiston himself.”

"Okay, thanks, I'll take a look," says Jocelyn. "Who's Johnny Zero?"

”AKA John Allen, he’s a former gang member with previous for drugs and guns. He found God and got involved in Balfour’s church,” explained Kris. “Though he may have wandered off the straight and narrow again, as he was spotted trying the break into Lewiston’s house the other night.”

"All right, cheers," says Jocelyn. "If we see him, we'll wait for you to arrive before we approach him, unless he tries to leave. See you soon." She disconnects the call.

Kris pocketed his phone and slid behind the wheel. Starting the engine, he flicked off the hazard warning lights, and turned on the indicators and when there was a gap in the traffic, pulled out and headed back towards the police station in Wycombe.

Kris heads back towards High Wycombe, driving Balfour's car, which responds pleasingly as he puts his foot down.

OOC,Roll Drive Auto if you want to gain a bit of time by driving a bit too fast and/or taking a few shortcuts - of you fail you'll get there the same time you would have done. If you fumble...

The roads are busy but the traffic is starting to thin as it moves into the evening.

Kris drove steadily, making sure he left plenty of space for other cars. As a police officer he knew he should do that anyway, but he also knew he’d get in serious trouble if he turned up with a bunch of dents down the side...

OOC,Given Kris’ recent experiences, he’ll be taking it easy.

It is 6.49pm when Kris pulls into the High Wycombe Police Station. As he leaves Balfour's SUV in the secure car park he sees a yellowish stain with pink streaks on the steering wheel. Trying to rub it off just spreads the stain and he realises that it is coming from the underside of one of his gloves. A yellow discharge is oozing from his forearm, mixed with streaks of blood, and dripping onto his glove. Kris gives it a sniff, it has a sour smell, like gone off fruit.

After his best efforts to clean off the upholstery, Kris enters the back door of the station and runs into DS Bates. 'How are you doing Kris? That was all a bit hairy with Balfour back there' she says sympathetically. 'Uniform got him home okay, apparently he sends his apologies to you.' She gives him an awkward smile and pats his arm half heartedly, pulling her hand away as she catches sight of his soiled gloves. Kris knows that any kind of interpersonal sensitivity is very much outside of her comfort zone.

'Not much to update you on, to be frank I think the investigation has stalled. No sign of Johnny Zero, although I'm not sure what he's going to be able to tell us. No sign of Lindsay's car, and that's what we really need. DI Malone is talking about a public appeal by the Balfours tomorrow, maybe releasing Lindsay Peale's name and photo to the press, see if we get any bites.'

Kris dropped his hands to his sides, conscious of whatever it was slowly dripping down his arms. ”I’m err... heading back out to The Happy Cafe to meet Simon and Jocelyn. The cafe was a haunt of Lewiston’s so we’re hoping to find a lead there.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll err... before I go,” said Kris, nodding in the direction of the gents.

Bates smiles weakly and nods, 'You look like you could do with some rest Kris, don't stay up too late, start fresh tomorrow, okay?'

Kris nodded and took his leave. He headed for the gents, pausing only to pick up a first aid kit on the way. Once in there, he stood in front of the sink, pulled off his jacket and unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt sleeves so he could get a better look at his arms...

The first thing Kris notices is that there are stains leaking through the arms and even the body of his shirt. Rolling up the sleeves he can see that the rash has got a lot worse. No longer particularly itchy it is now rather sore and stings as he forces the cuffs over his forearms.

Where earlier there were raised welts he can now see tense fluid-filled bullae and sloughing blisters leaking a yellow exudate with a cloying sour smell that sticks in the nostrils. Red raw welts and erosions dribble little trickles of blood down his arms and the dorsum of his hands to drip from his fingers.

Kris really regrets not following the doctor's advice about using the antibiotics and ointment.

Kris’ felt his stomach turn over. It was worse than he thought! He tore open a packet of bandages and carefully wrapped his arms, although he could see red blotches flowering before he’d even finished bandaging his second arm. He carefully pulled his shirt sleeves down and put his jacket on again, throwing the rubbish in the bin and swilling the sink before heading out of the station at a brisk walk in the direction of The Happy Cafe...