Disclaimer: Death in Paradise is sadly not mine. Belongs to the writers, creators, production teams and BBC.

Author Note: Any fan already knows what we are in for for the 3rd season – waaaah – so I'm just ignoring what's to come and sticking with what we all know. For those that don't know, to quote River Song, "Spoilers". Also, I'm American but tried to keep with the British words so any mistakes there are completely mine. Although, for the record, I still get all excited when people mention carrying a torch only to be disappointed to remember it's a flashlight.

**Later chapters will reference an attack with intent to rape - it's not major but just felt I should warn.


I'll Never Leave You


Stifling humidity had settled of Saint Marie making every day existence that much more unbearable for those not used to such conditions. The setting sun offered little relief.

"We shouldn't be here." The young woman's whisper hinted of the depth of her fear but she continued to trudge along the jungle path behind her boyfriend.

"All those stories are just to keep people away. If we find the treasure we'll own this island and all those around it."

"Assuming we live," she mumbled.

Her boyfriend stopped so quickly she walked right into him. Their eyes widened at the site of the large cave opening before them. Maybe the legends weren't just legends after all.

"Rob, I have a really bad feeling about this."

"Come on, Ashley, didn't we choose the Caribbean for some adventure? What can be more adventurous than this?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his torch and disappeared into the darkness of the cave.

Taking a deep breath, Ashley followed him.


Detective Sargent Camille Bordey bit her lower lip. The pain of dealing with an annoyed and irritable Detective Inspector Richard Poole was far worse than the oppressive heat. She was already thinking up various plots of revenge against her co-workers for leaving her alone with him.

"Have they even heard of air conditioning here?" he grumbled from behind his desk. England had not prepared him for life in the tropics and no matter how long he found himself on the island; he doubted he'd ever adjust.

"You could wear more weather appropriate clothing, Sir," she offered.

He glared at his DS. He was British. Suits and ties were required no matter what the weather. "Maybe I could get some of those bright, flowery shirts? Why not go all the way and opt for sandals too. Two hour lunches lounging at the beach!"

Camille sighed. She had learned long ago there was no rationalizing with him when he was moody. Picking up her purse, she mentioned, "I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"

"We're on duty."

"I was talking about a cola."

"Oh." Richard stood up and grabbed his suit jacket, putting it on despite the heat. "There's no point to sitting in this sauna."

The ringing of the phone broke the silence. Camille picked it up and listened. "We'll be right there." She turned to Richard. "A body just washed up."


There was already a small crowd, mostly tourists, who had gathered around the gruesome scene. The EMT's had tried to keep them back away from the scene as best they could and Officer Dwayne Myers had jumped in to help once he and Fidel Best, recently promoted Police Sergeant, had arrived.

The body was face down in the sand but was obviously male. Fidel was already processing the scene with images, evidence bags and securing what he could.

"I haven't found much, Sir." Fidel placed another small piece of something in a bag. "If he was out in the water…"

Richard nodded.

With Camille's help, she and Fidel turned over the body to reveal a young male.

"He looks to be early twenties," Camille announced. "There's a large cut on his head with bruising." She shrugged at Richard. "It could mean he fell in the water and hit his head though." Checking his pockets, she found a thin wallet. "His name is Rob Cassop. It looks like he is from Wales. And this hotel card indicates he was staying at the L'Hotel de L'Aventure." Off Richard's look, she smirked. "The Hotel of Adventure."

"This had better not be another treasure hunter."

Camille chuckled as she stood up and wiped the sand off her legs. "It's the Caribbean. Treasure lures people here all the time. Haven't you ever wondered? Been tempted to look for lost pirate's treasure?" she teased as they walked back to the car.

"Not even for a second. Climbing around in trees and vines with snakes and blood-sucking bugs for something that doesn't exist? Can't say that I have ever had that urge."

"So you have no sense of adventure?"

"I'm still on this island, aren't I? I'd say that's pretty adventurous. Not to mention the food here."

Sliding into the driver's seat, she looked at him. "Most people would kill for the opportunity to work and live in such a place."

He gave her a small smile, one he generally reserved for only her. "I'm not most people, am I?"

She laughed outright and started the car. "No, no you are not."


The trip to the hotel had only yielded the information that Rob had been travelling with his girlfriend, Ashley Warren, who had also not been seen since the day before. With no evidence of murder, they had not been permitted access to the hotel room.


Back at the office, Richard was once more complaining about the heat, Camille plotted an escape plan for herself while Dwayne was trying to make himself look busy on a computer he clearly did not fully understand.

Fidel walked in with a handful of papers. "The autopsy report just came back," he announced handing the papers to Richard.

"How? How did you get them so fast?" Richard asked, clearly impressed with his young sergeant.

Grinning, Fidel merely responded, "I have new connections."

Camille shook her head as she stood beside him.

"Does Juliette know about these 'connections'?" Dwayne teased.

"What? Yes, I mean, no it's not like that," he stammered.

"Relax," Dwayne said laughing.

"Well?" Camille asked Richard. "Was it murder or accident?"

He looked up at her. "You're a little blood thirsty today."

She rolled her eyes. "Blame the heat, blame boredom, whatever you want. I can't stand sitting here listening to your whining anymore."

"Yes, of course. A murder is certainly more enjoyable."

With a loud huff, she grabbed the report out of his hands and read it herself. Her eyes met his.

Richard stood up. "Looks like we now have a reason to check out his room."