Dale Smith :: Profile continued

Smithy became determined to out Gabriel for what he was, spurred on by PC Andrea Dunbar insisting Kerry had told her that she’d been raped. Unfortunately for Andrea, she soon became another of Gabriel’s victims after he left her to die in the fire caused by spurned PCSO Colin Fairfax’s attack on the station. Before her death, Smithy and Andrea had grown closer and had enjoyed a couple of dates before Andrea came clear and admitted she’d been using him to make her married lover – DI Neil Manson – jealous. However when it came out that she was an undercover journalist Smithy had started to wonder just how much of what she’d said he could believe.

Things with Smithy and Gabriel came to ahead on top of a block of flats. Gabriel had cuffed June to the railings and set about revealing just what he’d been responsible for. Shocked, June was relieved upon seeing Smithy appearing to help, though Smithy lost his cool when he found out just what had happened to Kerry and lunged for Gabriel leading to a rooftop fight. After knocking Smithy unconscious with a blow to the back of his head, Gabriel climbed over the railings and jumped to his death.

Soon after, Smithy met Louise Larsen, wife of criminal Pete Larsen. Louise got under Smithy’s skin and at first infuriated him. Smithy initially saw her as a spoilt pampered pet, leading to their angry first kiss. Smithy and Louise soon fell in love, taking every opportunity to spend time together, though things soon took a dramatic turn for the worse when Louise’s husband found out and took Smithy hostage at gunpoint! Looking for a gun to prove Larsen’s guilt to allow him and Louise to be together properly, Smithy was cornered in the house. Larsen had knocked his wife unconscious on finding her texting her lover, and searched the house to find Smithy. On finding him, Larsen beat Smithy and pushed him in the boot of his car where he drove him to a warehouse with the intent to kill him. Smithy attempted to plead for his freedom, and when back up arrived, Larsen finally gave himself up and he was arrested.

Smithy was taken to the hospital where he demanded to see Louise, only to find out that not only had Larsen made sure she was up to her neck, he’d also ordered someone to kill her. Once Louise was safe, she was taken to the station and interviewed, only to break up with Smithy. Louise returned a few weeks later and apologised, Smithy discovering she’d agreed to give evidence against Larsen. The two grew closer once more and Smithy agreed to go to Australia with her after the trial, despite Gina’s forebodings. Smithy was abducted again at gunpoint and found later crashed into a railing with a bottle of vodka on the dashboard – his car having been involved in a hit and run that killed Louise Larsen.

On hearing of his lover’s death, Smithy was charged with her murder and spent time in prison. Smithy attempted to keep his spirits up, but was bullied by the ‘top dog’, Marty Johnson. Whilst in prison Smithy managed to befriend his personal officer and solved the case of a stabbing, proving that Marty was behind it. Eventually Smithy was released and visited Louise’s grave with Gina. After returning to work, Smithy buried himself in the cases, not wanting to make a fuss.

On his first day back at Sun Hill, Smithy was surprised to hear that his cellmate – Morris Leatherhead was a suspect in the case of a laptop theft and visited Morris to find out what had been going on. The manager believed that as an ex con, Morris was responsible for the theft and his PA – who had really stolen the laptop in an attempt to raise money for her unborn child – took advantage of that and gave a false statement to the police. Smithy eventually cleared Morris’ name after a struggle to prove his innocence, particularly after PC Laura Bryant had disappeared midshift because of family issues and hadn’t put her crime report on CRIS. Morris, being institutionalised, begged Smithy to let him take the blame for the computer so he could go back into prison, saddened by his request, Smithy worked with him and gave him an old mobile that he could use to contact him should he ever need any help.

TDC Kezia Walker was the next woman to catch Smithy’s eye, enjoying regular sparring matches. Kezia and Smithy worked together during Keith Durante’s rape trial and found themselves growing closer, eventually sharing a drunken kiss. Although Kezia didn’t remember the kiss the next day, they began a relationship soon after, both seeing it as a bit of fun, though that was contradicted by Smithy’s suggestion that Kezia move in with him after she’d been given notice by her landlord. Smithy soon became uncomfortable with the closeness of their relationship and after Kezia planned an unwanted birthday surprise, involving chocolate body paint and a nurse’s costume Smithy disappeared and was later found at the gun range. Finally having a heart to heart, Smithy explained that they had both wanted a bit of fun with no strings and knew Kezia hadn’t been looking for anywhere else to live in the mean time. The two broke up and still remain friends.

Inadvertently winding up a dangerous criminal after a stressful day in Custody, Smithy found himself targeted by Ryan Jones. Having discovered blood on the boot of the car, Smithy found the body of his wife inside and calls for backup after Jones ran away. Called to a disturbance at Smithy’s house, officers find Smithy’s address book open at the page of his mother and Smithy is horrified to learn that Ryan could be holding her hostage at gunpoint. Leaving a message on the answerphone, that frightens Ryan off, Smithy speeds over to his mother’s house with Gina and other Sun Hill officers to make sure she mother is okay. Seeing Ryan outside, Smithy chased him down to the London Underground and after a dramatic showdown with Smithy admitting that he feels responsible for the death of Jones’ wife, armed police forced Ryan to give himself up and he was arrested.

When Gina was accused of bullying by PC Emma Keane, Smithy stood by her and supported her, even when the Human Resources woman arrived to talk to Gina about the complaint. Gina, who had been due to leave for holiday that day, was advised by the HR woman to take leave – and Smithy was the natural choice for Acting Inspector. Having fussed all day about the handover, Smithy was disappointed when she left without meeting with him, though was cheered up by a note left from her, detailing where she’d hidden the scotch.
After surviving a horrendously busy first day as Acting Inspector, Smithy was frustrated by the attitude of arrogant new Sergeant, Callum Stone who preferred to fly solo. Talking to Superintendent John Heaton, Smithy was advised to give him a little bit of space, but to keep an eye on him incase he proved himself to be a detriment to the team. When Inspector Gina Gold returned, Smithy was glad to hand over the reigns but was irritated by how quickly Callum had tried to integrate himself with Gina. Gina was impressed, but Smithy was furious – how dare Callum take all the credit for his and Diane’s work! Smithy’s got his eye on Callum, something about him just doesn’t fit with him – but what is it? And is Smithy the only one who can see it?