The investigation was now into its third inconclusive week and Rosie scorned herself for thinking that the police wouldn't search for some answers in the place where Alfie spent most of his time. She shuffled in her spot; it didn't look suspicious as everyone else was equally as uneasy at the thought of being questioned by the police. Aidan's fiery attitude soon got the better of him. "Coach, what makes you think that we know anything about where Alfie is?" He asked, voice raised and annoyed. Rosie was starting to sweat again although she didn't know whether to blame it on the gym's stuffy heat or her rising nerves. There's nothing to worry about she told herself. As Alfie's ex-girlfriend, Rosie knew more about Alfie than anyone else on the team and she also potentially knew the reason for his disappearance. She couldn't tell the police. Rosie knew better than to refuse talking to them as if she did they would suspect that something was up and she couldn't risk it. 

        After a few murmurs between the team Coach decided to finally answer Aidan's question. "They're not here to ask you where Alfie is, dipshit." Coach jabbed a finger in Aidan's direction and Aidan simply scowled and looked at his own feet. "They're here to find out a few things about Alfie himself, his likes and dislikes. It's not going to kill you, it's going to help get Alfie back." Coach didn't sound very hopeful. A scoff came from the back of the large group from Max and a sharp smirk snaked onto his face.

"Something wrong?" questioned the policewoman with a frown. Rosie looked between the two officers and although both of them looked equally as serious, the policeman's bushy chestnut-coloured beard made him seem much more approachable in comparison to his partner, who wore her hair in a ponytail tighter than a sailor's knot. Despite this, Rosie would rather not speak to either of them. Max crossed his arms and tipped his chin towards the ceiling. 

"Oh, nothing," he began, the smile still on his face making his voice come out as a smug laugh, "It's just a bit far-fetched at this point." Max was confrontational as always but this wasn't a snarky comment at Coach during a drill, this was the spark of an argument with a police officer yet Max didn't seem to be swayed. Gabriel hid his face as he tried to hold in a laugh.

"Why's that then?" The woman replied. The amusement laced in her voice clearly meant that she was diving into this row head first; she knew that she would win. 

"It's been over a fortnight and you guys still haven't found anything that could lead to Alfie, that's why." Max raised his voice slightly. 

"We intend to carry on this investigation for as long as it takes until we do find something, young man. We are here in attempts to find out some valuable information from you."

"I know jack-shit about Alfie!" Max snapped back. "The viscous son of a bitch didn't let anyone get to know him!"

"You know more about him than we do," said the bearded officer. He was impressively calm. Max opened his mouth to bark back a response but was stopped by Coach Sinclair's glare. If a look could kill then Max would be six feet under already. Once Coach had decided that the crabby goalkeeper had shut up he flashed an apologetic grin at the police officers.

"Sorry about that, who do you want to speak to first?" He asked. The policewoman returned Sinclair's smile, albeit less cheerily after the confrontation.

"You have the pleasure of knowing these charming individuals more than us, I'll leave it to you. We'll go wait in the locker room." 

Coach gave her a brief nod and waited until they had disappeared before he locked eyes with the team and breathed a gruff sigh. "Right," he said coolly, "I want you all to be on your best behaviour." The man prodded a finger at mouthy Max, "No talking back or I'll ban you from this court without any practice until the first day of the Championships. Do not push it, for fuck's sake." 

Max replied with a wiggle of his middle finger which Coach ignored. Instead he ran a hand through his gelled hair, now at his wit's end, and pointed towards the changing room door. "Denise goes first. Then the other strikers, then the defenders and then the goalies. None of you will let me or the team down, you hear me?" He asked. The team chorused a simultaneous "Yes, Coach" before Sinclair nodded and finished his speech. "Okay, now piss off and let me know when the last person comes back. If you need me I'll be in my office." He gave them all another stern look over and made his way to the door.

The team were left alone in bewildered silence.