THE WEDDING OF BEN CHATHAM: Part 1

Ok folks, here is the much anticipated new Ben Chatham story. It will have a festive element to go with Xmas. Enjoy alongside the Christmas Doctor Who story .

"THE WEDDING OF BEN CHATHAM"

Ben stared into the half-empty glass of absinthe and sighed bleakly to himsilf as the sound of shouting clubbers and pulsating music seemed like it was crushing his soul. He slumped back on the seat and his head knocked into a young blonde woman who was nattering away to a young man in a white shirt.
"Ere watch it mate" the woman exclaimed. Ben turned to her, his floppy hair dishevelled and falling down:
"I'm not your mate you commonplace female" he mumbled, his mind cloudy with alcohol. The girl scowled and the guy in the white shirt leaned forward:
"Watch it mate" he shouted. Ben sank down further into the seat:
"How did it come to this? How did I end up spending my evenings in this ghastly club? More to the point what the hell is a dive like this doing being frequented by the youth of Cambridge. The elite. The Junesse Dore of England...... mores the point how did my life end up in this rut. Everyone I've tried to love has ended up just knifing me in the back. Is there any point? I'm rambling......"
Ben slumps forward and knocks his drink over. As he does so, Katie Ryan comes over:
"Are you going to just sit there all night Ben? Come on over to the dancefloor". Ben lifts his head up slightly:
"I'm tired. Go away". As Ben spoke Ben's mobile went off.
"Answer that whatever thingy Katie ....." Katie frowned:
"You can be pathetic sometimes Ben". She rooted in his jacket pocket and found the phone.
"Hello, its Katie Ryan, Ben is busy...... what?.... slow down you little crap I can't follow you.... what? ........."
She stared at Ben:
"Its Luigi. Kyle's been arrested". Ben gave an intoxicated grin:
"Hardly a rarety".
"No you don't get it Ben. Kyle's been arrested at your apartment. Your apartment is being raided. "

Katie helped Ben to stagger out of "Club Zanzinger" and towards a row of taxis in the distance. Ben's phone went again and Katie answered:
"Hello... Oh no ... look have you told them who we are? They can't do this, we are above their juristiction......"
"What now?" Ben groaned.
"Operation Delta HQ is being raided as well, That was Paul Farraday. Apparently the police have special permission as its to do with the summer riots".
"Nonsense Katie. Operation Delta is above the police, as is Torchwood. I'll see that someone loses his job for......" Ben lurches forward and vomits on the pavement. A woman passing by mumbles something and Katie flashes her a firm look:
"Piss off bitch."
She orders a taxi to take them to Ben's apartment and when they arrive they see a large police removal van being loaded up with massive boxes and computer equipment.
"What the hell is going on?" Katie demands. A police officer approaches:
"Do you live in these premesis madam?"
"No I don't. This is Ben Chatham's apartment. THE Ben Chatham. You are in big ¤¤¤¤ing trouble, PC Plod".
"We have reason to believe that this property has been used to store stolen goods from the summer riots by one Kyle Barry Scott. Do you know Kyle Barry Scott?" Ben looks up and flicks his golden hair out of his luscious eyes. He holds up his Operation Delta card:
"You cannot do this as it contravenes protocol. The regular police cannot question Operation Delta personnel".
"Rubbish Sir. We have also arrested a feral foreign youth of latin appearance called Luigi whom we suspect of riot offences. And I smell alcohol on your breath. I suggest you let us get on with our work or I will arrest you for being drunk and disorderly."

Katie drags Ben away and towards the Mermaid Wine Bar.
"What are you doing Katie? They can't do this its........"
"I know Ben. Something is really ¤¤¤¤ing wrong here. Paul Farraday has just texted so say that he, Corinne and the rest of the London staff have been threatened with arrest as well. The place is being gutted. They are using Kyle hiding stolen goods as an excuse again. Shakey Jake has also been arrested and his house ransacked. I'm phoning Nigel Moore, our contact guy at the Home Office".
They enter the Mermaid and Katie moves to a quiet corner to make the call. As she does so Keith Smith rushes in:
"Ben I've been looking for you. Its a plot to discredit the whole organisation. The conspiracy must involve people high up as........"
"What the hell are you rambling on about Keith? I'm tired and exhausted. I don't need all of this."
As Ben spoke, Katie approached:
"This is ¤¤¤¤ing odd Ben. Apparently Moore is no longer working at the Home Office. He's been arrested and charged with pornography offences. The woman on the phone said that OPeration Delta is no longer a recognised government agency".
As she spoke, the Mermaid door burst open and three police officers burst in through the door and approached Ben:
"Benjamin Chatham. You are under arrest for instigating public order offences, recieving stolen goods and possession of class A drugs. You have the right to remain silent and anything you say may lead to a kick in the nuts."

................ to be continued.