I have decided to start a new story which is a continuation of Stand by me (which apparently got more chapters than I intended)

*****

"Well, well, well", Spikings said as he saw them enter the office the next day. "It's good to see you back at work. I was afraid you sailed away towards the setting sun"

"I'm sorry we're late but Dempsey's car broke down and I had to pick him up", Harry lied.

"it's good you arrived at all", Spikings said. "There's plenty of work for you here. The files are on your desk"

"Great", Dempsey murmured and headed for the coffee machine.

"Oh, and Sarah's lawyer's been trying to contact you", Spikings said. " he wants to talk to you"

"Well, I have nothing to tell him", Dempsey said irritably.

"I didn't mean you, Dempsey. Just harry"

"What? Why would he want to talk to Harry?"

"I don't know", Spikings said. "He's seeing his client right now in room 4"

"Ok", Harry sighed. "It means the paper work on our desks is for you, Dempsey"

"It can wait", he offered.

"Harry", Spikings stopped her before she left. "You need to know something before you go"

"Yes?"

"It's Robert"

"Sorry? I don't understand"

"Robert is the lawyer", he said.

At that moment Dempsey could see Harry's face go pale and her eyes narrow.

"What is it?", Dempsey asked seeing her face expression.

"I have to go", she said and left, leaving Dempsey wondering why she had reacted to the name so strongly.

*****

"Chas, have you seen Harry?", Dempsey asked when he didn't find her in the interrogation room.

"I think I saw her going down the hall towards the locker rooms ", Chas replied. "But it was some time ago"

"Thanks"

Dempsey knocked at the door and then slowly opened it. Harry was closing her locker when he approached her.

"What did he want?", he asked.

"Who?"

"Sarah's lawyer"

"To talk", she said quietly while putting on her sweater.

"About what?"

"I don't know"

"What do you mean? You didn't talk to him?"

"I did"

"And?", he enquired.

"And nothing"

"Didn't he ask you anything?", he became irritated.

"No", she replied and left the locker room followed by Dempsey.

"I'm confused here", he said.

"I didn't give him a chance to ask me anything, Dempsey"

"Why?", he asked. "Who is this guy? And why did he want to see you in specific?"

"I told you - his Sarah's lawyer"

"I know this, but who is he for you?"

"He's no-one"

"I don't buy it, Harry", Dempsey said. "I saw your reaction when Spikings told you his name. You know the guy and I assume you're not on good terms so I won't give up until you tell me where you know him from"

Harry saw determination in his eyes. She sighed resigned and then looked around the hall and decided it would be best to go back into the interrogation room. When they were inside, she went over to the window and looked out.

"He's …. just someone I used to know", she said quietly.

"What do you mean?", Dempsey asked, but there was no answer. Harry bit her upper lip, trying to find words to explain.

"You and him … did you have a … thing?", he asked.

"You could say that", Harry replied and turned to face him. "Look, I really don't want to talk about it now, ok?", she said quietly.
"Not ok", he said firmly.

"The guy's name is Robert", Harry said avoiding Dempsey's eyes.

"I know that already ", Dempsey smirked. "Who the hell is he?"

"It's Robert Makepeace"

"Makepeace?", Dempsey echoed. "Are you two related?"

"He's my …. he was my … husband", Harry finished quickly.

"Husband?", Dempsey looked shocked. "He's your ex?"

"Yes"

"But he's defending Sarah!", Dempsey exasperated. "Sarah Wilson! The woman who did all these … who almost got you killed!"

"Don't I know that Dempsey?", Harry snapped.

"How can he be doing this?"

"Easily, Dempsey", Harry said. "He'll do anything for money"

Dempsey looked at her closely and wondered whether it would be right to ask another question.

"You probably want to know if he married me for my money, don't you?", Harry knew him so well.

"Did he?"

"I don't know", Harry said quietly. "Probably"

"Then why…?", Dempsey hesitated.

"Why did I marry him?", Harry finished his question. "I was young, naïve and … in love"

"But you saw through him"

"Yeah, but only after I caught him cheating on me with my best friend"

"Bastard"

"Now you know everything"

"Except for one thing", he said cautiously.

"What's that?"

"A while ago you said you were separated…"

"I got divorced some time ago", she explained and then smiled, "Relax Dempsey, you're not having an affair with a married woman"
"What married woman?", Spikings voice made them both jump.

Harry and Dempsey looked at each other in panic. Thye hadn't noticed the door opened and Spikings had come in.

"I asked you a question", Spikings insisted.

"No-one chief", Dempsey said. "Harry's been just ... she's just…"

"Dempsey! Are you having an affair with a married woman?", Spikings demanded to know.

"No!", Dempsey protested."But even if I was, it'd be none of your business"

"You're wrong! It would be my business. Everything's my business as long as it can affect your work so you'd better be telling the truth as if there's a husband out there who wants your head blown off, I'll be the first person to help him. Understood?"

"Easy boss, as far as I know she's not married"

"Oh, so you are having an affair then"

Harry looked daggers at Dempsey, but he ignored her.

"Sure. You want to meet her?", Dempsey teased.

"Why would I want to?", Spikings asked.

"You'll like her. You have a lot in common – she's this English lady, you know? Very proper, very sensible…"

"Dempsey!", Harry interrupted him.

Both Dempsey and Spikings looked at her surprised by her reaction.

"Shut up, will you?", Harry felt uneasy. "I'm sure boss hasn't come here to talk about your… err… you and your…"

Dempsey grinned seeing her uneasiness though he realised he was in trouble.

"Oh yes. What is it boss?", he asked.

"The murder squad are on their way. They want to ask us a favour and I think I might have an idea what it is", Spikings said.

"The McLiam's case?", Harry asked.

"Yes"

"But they didn't want us to take the case in the first place", Dempsey remarked.

"Apparently they changed their mind", Spikings smiled contentedly.

"When will they finally admit that we're the best?", Dempsey smirked.

"When you stop wasting your time and get down to some serious work", Spikings said and felt.

"Dempsey, I'll kill you", Harry snapped. "How could say all these things"

"I didn't say anything wrong"

"God knows what you'd have told him if I hadn't stopped you"

"I wouldn't do anything stupid"

"I'm not so sure about it"

"Don't you trust me?"

"No", she said sweetly. "It's something that I've learnt over the years of working with you"

"I can't even tell you how wrong you are about me", he said as he followed her out.