Hathaway Episode 6
Acquiescence
The sun rose above the city of Oxford. It was a Saturday. Gradually, the place came to life: the traffic building, the students arriving back from their summer break, both new and old. The train and coach stations were bustling carrying the weight of the returning youngsters and visitors. George Street began filling up as was Broad Street not far away. Cornmarket was its usual packed self, with shoppers filling the street, coming in and out of the shops and fast food outlets. The Randolph Hotel was preparing for its usual influx of guests along with an upcoming wedding party. The Ashmolean Museum opposite opened its doors to visitors, and the various pubs and taverns gradually opened for business one by one.
Stephen Hazel drove easily through the streets towards the station. His window was down halfway for breeze and the radio was on at a low volume. He looked at the rear view mirror and noticed how bright his dark eyes were. He had a new lease of life recently: a new hair style, a new suit, even a new place of abode. He finally moved out of that shared flat and into a place he never expected to move into. It was all his, and Hazel found himself now with extra responsibility – but one he was only too happy to have. Finally, he had his own independence, somewhere to literally call his own. He turned slowly into the station car park coming to a halt in a space near Hathaway's. The radio silenced as Hazel took the key out of the ignition. He got out, pausing briefly to look around him. He closed the door, locking it before walking inside. He had his own parking space, the sign 'DI Hazel' indicating so.
He walked into CID grinning at Alannah as she walked past him. She stopped him in his tracks briefly to congratulate him, the young detective shaking her hand before walking into his office. He paused briefly to look at the name plates on the door. Gemma's was still there as was his under his old position and also Hathaway's. Hazel smiled before walking over to his desk – a desk that he remembered so vividly looking across at only recently. He got his act together, adjusting the chair before logging in, still with that smile on his face.
Caroline strained a little bit as she tiptoed to place a small stack of oven dishes into a cupboard. She was standing on one of the kitchen table chairs. A pair of hands intervened, and Caroline smiled as Hathaway easily slotted the dishes into place, his height coming in handy. He was standing next to her. She smiled gratefully before stepping down, holding Hathaway's hand as she did. She brought the chair back to the table whilst Hathaway closed the door of the dishwasher. Papers were strewn in a slight messy disorder on the table alongside an open bag of share size corn chips. The windows were open, a slight breeze blowing in. Caroline smiled at Hathaway as she sat down on the chair she was previously standing on. A tall glass of squash was placed in front of her as Hathaway dragged over a chair so he can sit beside her. He picked up a couple of papers to look at them again. They were of the wedding venue. Caroline took a sip of her drink and looked at him, a look of excitement coming over her face. She also took note of the rather distracted look on Hathaway's features, as if there was still something on his mind. Caroline's face fell guessing what it probably was but said nothing. Instead, she gazed at him watching as he quietly read the papers to himself and her excitement grew. Their wedding was not far away. That and her new job was starting soon. She bit her lip with a grin and turned her attentions to the papers in front of her.
Hazel looked at the clock briefly on the wall opposite his desk and looked back at his computer screen. He knew Hathaway would be in later, if not the next day, but he still wondered what would happen to him. There had been no word from Gemma since she left, but no confirmation either she had quit or had been transferred to a station near her mother's place in London. Shirley Trewlove was herself quite distant, but still was polite enough to take his calls. Hazel missed Gemma terribly, and wondered how she was. She was avoiding him, that he knew, but that only exacerbated his concerns. All his calls and voicemails and texts went unanswered, and Hazel thought it best to leave it – for now anyway. However he found himself drawn to his mobile phone, which was lying on his desk not far away from him and tried not to give in to temptation. Just as his hand glided over the handset, a shuffle at the open doorway got his attention and he looked up, his eyebrows raising in surprise.
"Rebecca!" he said, standing up as she walked in dressed in a smart trouser suit. He watched as she stood in front of what was his old desk. "What are you doing here dressed…?" He realised how that must have sounded. Rebecca smiled.
"Didn't Hathaway tell you, sir?" she asked. "I've been promoted. I decided to pursue my career in CID. I took the assessment a while ago now. I only got the results last week."
"Wow!" Hazel was slightly speechless as he walked forward to shake her hand. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, sir." Rebecca grinned. She realised by the look on Hazel's face that he really was clueless. "Inspector Hazel… I'm your new Detective Constable." The look on Hazel's face went from clueless to slight disappointment almost immediately. He learned quickly not to show it.
"No worries!" He smiled. "Welcome, DC…"
"Waterford, sir." Rebecca giggled a little. "Hathaway didn't tell you at all, did he?"
"No, he didn't."
"No worries. I asked him specifically if I could work with you. He had no objection." She watched as Hazel walked back to his desk. "Is that all right with you? If not, I can ask Alannah if I can shadow her for a while." Hazel, although not meaning to, ignored Rebecca. He picked up his phone, his back to her, and looked at his phone list. He accessed Gemma's number and deleted it. He took a deep breath and turned to face Rebecca.
"Welcome to the team!" he told her brightly, indicating his old desk behind her. Rebecca grinned and walked over to take her seat, slinging her suit jacket over her chair before logging into the computer in front of her. Hazel meanwhile sat back in his chair and disguised his upset by staring blankly at his computer screen.
The door closed gently and a young woman dressed in a smart monochrome trouser suit walked briskly from the office she just vacated. She had an air of authoritativeness about her, but still achieved a lot of smiles and pleasantry as she walked across what looked like a college grounds. She walked inside another building opposite and up some stairs reaching a closed door at the top. She unlocked the door and pushed down the handle and opened it, the sunlight bathing the room in a very bright and almost blinding glow. The woman squinted slightly as she walked inside and closed the door behind her with a swift kick of her heel.
She walked over to a table not far away dumping the papers she had been holding against her chest onto a leather sofa nearby. A poster of what looked like a complicated formula of some description adorned a wall nearby with some printed media on a table directly below. There was what looked like empty pizza boxes on the floor alongside some empty plastic fizzy drinks bottles. The woman reached over to open a window and the papers she had set aside blew across the other side of the sofa. She took a look over her shoulder and tutted, leaving the window open and walking the short distance to her chair. She collapsed into it, her thoughts suddenly elsewhere.
The grand residence gleamed in the sun, its grounds immaculate as was the huge steps leading to the front door. The gravelled and sandy road that led a long way down to some iron gates in the distance was half full of some rather grand looking vehicles, all parked in the grounds in front of the residence, the glare of the autumn sun blinding as it hit the polished bodywork. The sound of an approaching vehicle was heard and a small dot was gradually getting bigger. The car came into view and drove around a small grassy roundabout, coming to a halt at the side not far from a white Rolls Royce. The sound of the handbrake was heard pulling up and the engine silenced. Hazel got out from the vehicle with Rebecca following on behind him. They stopped beside each other at the front of their car looking across at the grand spectacle in front of them. Nothing was said. Only the nervous look of Hazel said it all. He glanced at Rebecca, who was viewing the whole thing in awe, and walked ahead. He suddenly stopped and turned.
"You coming?" he asked, his echo the only thing interrupting the birds' rather lovely song. Rebecca blinked, coming back down to Earth and she scurried after him, Hazel walking around a few of the vehicles towards the steps.
Hathaway made sure Caroline was okay before answering his call. He stood in the living room doorway with his phone to his ear listening to what was being said to him. Once he was satisfied she was watching the DVD without a lapse in concentration, he walked silently out of the living room and down the corridor towards the kitchen. He opened the back door and stepped out into the garden, coming to a stop by the empty washing line. He glanced quickly behind his shoulder to make sure he was on his own before speaking.
"She hasn't, no," he replied in his usual monotone. His facial expression and body language however told a different story. "I understand, but I took her out for this reason. It just wasn't appropriate…" He paused as he listened again to what was being said to him. The heavy look on his face worsened. "She is my fiancée, I know her better than anyone else!" He realised he was beginning to lose his temper and took a deep breath to calm himself. Once again, he looked behind his shoulder and once again he was still on his own. "Listen, Liv! I have told you once and I will tell you again: I will not bring her back! Yes, I understand and I appreciate it… Call me stubborn if you want, Liv. I know what I am doing." He sighed rather irritably as again, the familiar female voice spoke to him. As much as Hathaway respected the opposite sex, he wanted to hang up on Liv. She was beginning to do his head in, and he began to regret even getting her involved. He suddenly heard movement behind him and turned. Caroline was standing there watching him. This gave Hathaway the excuse he needed and he abruptly hung up. Caroline stayed rooted to the spot. The breeze was blowing her dark hair and her clothing. Hathaway raised his hand to show her his phone and walked towards her, stopping not far in front. Caroline raised her head to look at him, a lost look coming over her eyes. This frightened Hathaway somewhat and he dropped the handset on the grass beside him and took her in his arms. Caroline clutched the back of his shirt tightly and blinked as she felt a soft kiss land on the top of her head.
"It's all right," she heard him whisper. "You will be all right." She broke loose slightly to look up again at Hathaway. His blue eyes gazed into hers and she nodded.
"I won't let you down," she told him in the same gentle manner. "I promise." Hathaway smiled lovingly at her.
"I know you won't," he said. He picked up his phone and watched as Caroline walked back inside hoping he wouldn't be proved wrong.
Hazel and Rebecca walked into this rather majestic entrance hall. They were told to wait by who looked like the butler as he would fetch the owner. Rebecca was struck by the décor of the place. It was like a palace! She and Hazel were standing on marble flooring, polished to a very high standard. Above them was a huge chandelier, the reflections of the glass and crystals hitting the walls around them. A grand staircase, which seemed to lead to infinity, was towards their left, the bottom few steps twisting into a weak spiral shape. It was carpeted in brilliant white. There was an arched doorway ahead of them which seemed to lead into another huge hall. Hazel stepped forward and raised his head to look at the chandelier, which was now directly above his head. Rebecca meanwhile was looking at a bust case on a showcase by the main entrance. She turned as she heard the butler clear his throat. She looked at Hazel and followed him inside through the arched doorway. A ballroom greeted them. Rebecca let out a cough. Hazel now was struck in awe.
"DI Hazel…" Rebecca whispered.
"I know, Rebecca," Hazel whispered back. He was distracted by this huge grand piano that was ahead of him at the opposite end of the room.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" A voice disrupted the two detectives' thoughts and they turned their heads. A rather classy looking woman was standing by the doorway. She was dressed in a white playsuit with a leather belt around her waist. She had black heeled shoes which made light 'clip clop' noises as she walked across the floor. Hazel and Rebecca's eyes followed her every move, more out of fascination than anything else. The woman indicated two rather comfortable looking chairs nearby and the two detectives obliged, taking their seats. The woman took hers opposite. She took out a rather slender cigarette from a rather shiny gold case from her pocket. The black nicotine filter tip graced the top of the cigarette as she lit it, taking a drag. She crossed her legs elegantly, the sole of her right shoe in clear view of Hazel. She held the cigarette classily between her fingers as she exhaled, making sure she turned her head so not to be rude. Rebecca watched absolutely amazed. The woman looked at her with a smile from her ruby red lipstick lips.
"Mrs…"
"Lady!" she interrupted Hazel, still oozing class by her well-rounded voice. "Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley."
Hazel cleared his throat. "Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley, sorry."
"Oh, that is quite all right." She leaned forward to flicked some ash into a glass ashtray which was settled on a rather high table beside her to the left. "Thank you for coming at short notice. As you must have seen from outside, there is going to be a soirée here in the next couple of days."
"The cars?" Hazel asked.
"Indeed." She took another drag of her cigarette exhaling near enough immediately. "People's love of classic cars. I have to entertain these people." She seemed annoyed, like it was an inconvenience. She butted out her cigarette half used and left it inside the ashtray. "Officers… Sorry, detectives. I need your assistance."
"With what, Lady Masterson?" Rebecca stopped suddenly as she only addressed by half her name. The woman looked at her and smiled.
"Can I ask your name?"
"Rebecca. Detective Constable Rebecca Waterford."
"DC Waterford, the reason for my call to you both is that I am concerned about my estranged husband." She stood up and began walking towards the huge windows at the other side of the ballroom. The two detectives turned themselves round to look at her.
"Is your husband all right, Lady Masterson?"
"Perfectly…" It was the bitterness in her voice that got Hazel's attention. "I think my husband may have been up to 'extra-curricular' activities." She looked out onto the immaculately lawned grounds. Heaviness suddenly came over her and she bowed her head. Hazel and Rebecca stood up and carefully approached the woman, keeping their distance. "He has been fixing the accounts I fear." She turned suddenly. "I have noticed things missing. Not valuable, but things, nonetheless. Don't let this huge house fool you."
"What has gone missing?" Rebecca asked, taking out her notepad and pen from her jacket pocket.
"I have the full list in my study. I'll just go and get them for you." She smiled at Rebecca and walked slowly out, her sound of her heels fading. The two detectives looked at each other grimly.
"What do you think, DI Hazel?"
"I don't know." Hazel was thinking hard. "I don't like the sound of this."
"Maybe it is just a matter of retrieving the missing items. We cannot interfere with domestic matters unless it is of our interest."
"Perhaps," Hazel replied, still deep in thought. Something didn't sound right to him: the way the woman was, her mannerisms, the bitterness in her voice. He chose to keep an open mind however…
"Here is the list, detectives." The woman walked back in her hand outstretched. Hazel met her halfway taking the piece of paper. It wasn't an overly long list, but these items obviously meant something to her.
"Thank you, Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley," he said politely. "We will look into this and keep you in the loop."
"Thank you, detectives." There was heaviness in the woman's eyes. Hazel and Rebecca bid her farewell as they left, only for the younger to turn.
"I'm sorry, Lady Masterson. I have a question to ask." Hazel, now on the other side of the arched doorway, turned on hearing her voice.
"Ask away, DC Waterford."
"Pardon for the intrusion, but your husband."
"What about him?" There was kindness in her voice.
"Does he still reside here…?"
"Rebecca!" Hazel interrupted between his teeth. The woman hushed him by raising her left hand.
"No, that is a perfectly good question, Detective Inspector." She looked at Rebecca. "Yes, he does…" She trailed off suddenly. Rebecca nodded, thanked the woman and bid her a good day. She and Hazel finally left. They stepped back out into the driveway walking back to her vehicle.
"He doesn't live here," Rebecca told Hazel. "If he does, it is only through his own convenience." She waited by the passenger door for Hazel to deactivate the remote locking. She got in upon hearing the noise. Hazel, knowing Rebecca was on to something, turned to look back at the huge house. He saw the woman looking out at him now from a top window and watched as she let go of the net curtain. Hazel got into the car, closing the door.
Caroline walked down the stairs. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror via the stand on the opposite side of the entrance and stared. She looked better of late, but still had a long way to go as far as she was concerned. She noticed her dark hair, her eyes. She turned to find her middle on the flat side. Her face fell. She turned to face the mirror when she caught sight of Hathaway's reflection behind her. He walked down the stairs and stood behind her.
"What do you think, Blue Eyes?" she asked.
"Still beautiful," Hathaway replied.
"You know what I mean." She tilted her head to the side. "Do I look like him?"
"Like who?"
"My father. My real one."
"You look like your mother, Caroline." Hathaway walked off towards the kitchen. Caroline sighed heavily and followed him in.
"I'm trying to figure out why she lied." She sat down at the table. "What made her do it? What was so awful she had to keep it from Dad all this time." Hathaway, his back to Caroline, looked to the ceiling. She had been asking questions of late – a lot of them.
"She had her reasons I'm sure." Hathaway turned.
"Yeah, but Mum was the last person to lie. She hated it."
"What if it was for a good reason?" Hathaway decided to drop a hint. Caroline looked up at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Hathaway walked over and sat down next to her.
"I mean...What if there was a reason."
"Like what?" Caroline was at a loss. "What reason could there have been to keep something like this."
Hathaway paused. "Maybe because she didn't want to hurt anyone? Your mother was a gentle being, Caroline. She didn't believe in causing anyone any harm."
"I know, but still… It's bothering me." Hathaway took note of the troubled look on Caroline's face and felt guilty for still keeping the truth from her. He took her hand and held it. "Your birth certificate, Caroline. The one you found on your laptop. Did it tell you the identity of your father?"
"No," Caroline replied, her voice cracking a little. "Not a thing. It was a blank. Not even the man I thought was my father's name was on there." The penny dropped. "You managed to get it, didn't you? My actual one." Hathaway nodded. "Where from? It was definitely not Cambridge." She watched as Hathaway stood up and left. He came back in a few minutes later with an envelope.
"This is not what you found in that box, Caroline," he told her as he sat back down. Caroline viewed this suspiciously but took it. Hathaway watched as she took out the document.
"My actual birth certificate!" She gasped. "Where did you get it?"
"It doesn't matter," Hathaway replied. "Your father's name is on there." Caroline's dropped to the appropriate section and her eyes widened.
"I can't…" Her voice hushed into a whisper. "Who is he?" She looked at Hathaway. "Who is he, Blue Eyes?" Hathaway said nothing except look into his fiancée's eyes, knowing the truth was about to come out.
The woman in the monochrome suit was now dressed in an elegant evening gown. She picked up two diamond earrings and slotted them in each lobe. In the background, classical music was playing via a laptop on the low table behind her. She took a look at herself in the mirror. Her brown hair was tied neatly in a French twist and her make up was done just as elegantly, if not flawlessly. She smoothed down her grown getting rid of rogue creases before walking over to pick up her black heeled shoes, which were under her bed. Now she was a few inches taller. She reached over to her side table to pick up what looked like a sparkly ring putting on her left ring finger. She then closed the music player window on her laptop logging off only to look up when there was a knock on the door.
Cars pulled up outside one college building and one by one the guests arrived, all dressed to the nines. They were greeted by the hired staff, who opened the doors for these guests, greeting their pleasantries as they stepped out. Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley got out of a white Rolls Royce all glamorous in a blue evening dress and grey faux fur coat. Her male companion was beside her, dressed in a tuxedo. They thanked the staff who opened the door for them and walked inside the college building to be met by their fellow peers.
The next morning, Rebecca was in early deciding to tackle the list of missing items. She also had the answer Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley gave on her mind. She went down the list with a capped ball point, counting the items under her breath. These were quite expensive items, she thought. Certainly expensive in her eyes and her budget. They had to be considering the wealth of the house she and Hazel walked into. She blindly picked up her Oxford United mug and placed it to her lips when Hazel walked in. He was briefly startled to find Rebecca sitting at what was Gemma's desk considering he gave her his old one. Rebecca felt a pair of eyes staring at her and looked up.
"Morning, DI Hazel," she said politely still unaware of where she was sitting. Hazel just smiled and took his seat at what was Hathaway's desk, switching on his desktop and logging on.
"How's it going?"
"There are 40 items on this paper, sir!" Rebecca exclaimed. "Some really expensive sounding items, too."
"Forty!" Hazel nearly scoffed. He opened his email Inbox and was dismayed to see around 20 new ones. "Where to start?"
"I have no idea, sir." Rebecca suddenly had an idea. "Antique shops! I'm sure some of these will turn up there."
"We do not know what these items are, Rebecca." Hazel hopefully didn't come across as patronising, but he was still missing Gemma. He scrolled through is unopened emails uninterested in reading any of them. His mind drifted off.
"Wake up, Stephen!" The familiar deep voice did the trick almost immediately. There was Hathaway standing in the doorway. Hazel cleared his throat and stood up.
"Sir!" he said. Hathaway just stared at Hazel as if he was transparent. Rebecca looked at him with a grin. Hathaway glanced at her.
"DC Waterford."
"Yes, sir." Now it was Rebecca's turn to stand. Hathaway, in a very smart suit, walked inside. He scanned his two detectives almost on the verge of religiously. His thoughts were also a million miles away. He ended up staring into space at the window. Rebecca and Hazel looked at each other uneasily. Rebecca walked slowly up to Hathaway.
"Sir?" she enquired. "Are you okay?" There was no response. "Superintendent Hathaway?"
Hathaway snapped out of his trance. "This case you are on." It was like nothing happened. "What can you tell me about it?"
"Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley." Rebecca rushed back to Gemma's desk to pick up the list. "She has had some items go missing." Hathaway looked at the list. His attentions turned to Hazel.
"We think there is something amiss, sir," he continued. "She mentioned that the accounts have been tampered with."
"Insider dealings?"
"Maybe. There was something in response to one of Rebecca's questions that is bothering me."
"Like what?" Hathaway turned to Rebecca, who froze.
"Umm…" Nerves got the better of her. Hathaway realised he was being too hard on the young detective and relaxed his stance. "I asked her about her husband," Rebecca replied. "I asked if he lived with her. It was a hunch I was going on."
"Based on what?" This time Hathaway asked nicely.
"Based on her remark about her husband playing away, sir. I asked if he lived with her and she said he did, but I got the impression she was stretching the truth."
"I agree," Hazel said. "There is something not quite right about this."
"All right." Hathaway nodded his head. "Go ahead with this one."
"How is Caroline, sir?" Hathaway stopped just as he walked back through the doorway. He turned.
"She is fine thanks, Stephen." He walked off down he corridor. Hazel gave a huge sigh of relief as he sat down. Rebecca also showed her relief.
"He's not normally like this," she said. "I wonder what happened?"
"Don't go in that direction, Rebecca," Hazel told her. "Trust me. You will never figure it out." He remembered a similar reply he gave to Gemma suddenly as he got back to his emails whilst Rebecca started looking at listings for antique shops in the area.
Hathaway stepped into what was Bright's old office and took a look around. This was alien to him. He was so used to sharing an office with Lewis, then Lewis and Lizzie, and finally with Hazel and Gemma. He took in the silence, which was deafening. Hathaway walked to the glass desk and sat down behind it, dragging the wireless keyboard towards him to log on. The familiar Thames Valley logo wallpaper appeared on the screen along with a few icons. This was Hathaway's first day in his new position, one which he really did not want. He looked at the framed pictures on the desk that he placed when he officially took over a week before. They were all of him and Caroline back in Cambridge and also recently. He picked one up and looked at it. Caroline looked so good back in the day. By that, he thought she was different than the other students. She was mysterious, shy, beautifully fragile. He wondered what Caroline would ever see in him. To him, she had so much going on for her, so much life within her, he felt he would only drag her down, not to mention his reputation as a Lothario – something of which was not him at all, not really deep down. So, imagine his surprise when she accepted his kiss at the student union! Hathaway placed the frame back down and picked up another one. This was more recent. In fact, as recent as a couple of weeks ago. His eyes drifted to Caroline seeing the joy on her face, but also the turmoil in her eyes. He knew he would have to reveal everything to her. He had back up coming to make the blow less painful, although when that was is another story. His desk phone rung and he answered.
"Superintendent Hathaway." He placed the frame back down where he found it and listened to the voice on the other end, boredom now creeping in.
The woman in the monochrome suit walked out of her room and down the steps stepping out onto the grounds. She was dressed again quite smartly, but in a casual way. She took a look at the sky, which was showing signs of dark cloud, before going on her way. A few people passed her, the woman smiling and greeting her hello before she walked into another building directly opposite. It was busy, full of people milling about and conversation. She excused herself to get by a group before walking inside an office not far away. A few people in front of what looked like Petrie dishes looked up, smiling their hellos. The woman hung up her jacket on a peg before taking up a white coat. She fastened it before walking past and into another room. Straight away, about 10 people stood up to greet her. The woman walked behind a desk at the top of the room and gestured the desks, which were in straight lines in front of her. Hubbub filled the room once more and the woman turned, marker in her hand, as she began to jot down notes on a huge whiteboard.
Rebecca walked out of an antiques shop and shook her head at Hazel, who was waiting in the car on the opposite side of the road, window wound down. He turned to look straight through the windscreen when the familiar vibration of his phone went off. Hazel picked it up and looked at it, his heart jumping when he caught sight of a very familiar number. His finger glided over the unopened message before giving in to temptation. His eyes widened a touch as he saw the words on the screen in front of him:
Stephen,
I am so sorry to disturb you after so long. Can you please give me a call? I need to speak to you.
Thanks, S
Hazel was now in a trance. He was staring blindly at the open road in front of him. Why now? What possible reason would this message and request come through? He blinked once taking it all in. Rebecca opened the passenger door and got in. She settled down and looked to her right, watching Hazel carefully. A gentle nudge of the arm brought Hazel back inside again.
"Inspector Hazel," she said. "We need to go."
"Huh?" Hazel realised where he was. "Oh, yeah." He reached for the key in the ignition.
"We need photographs of the items," Rebecca explained as Hazel drove slowly.
"Yeah… Absolutely!" Hazel's mind was still on that message. He didn't hear what Rebecca said to him next.
"…Inspector Hazel?"
"Rebecca?"
"Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley. We need to go back to see her." Hazel didn't reply, but he did take note. Rebecca could not but feel slightly frustrated but trusted him. She looked to the road in front of her, concentrating on the case, but thought about whether to let Hathaway know what was on her mind.
The woman dismissed the class and one by one the students filed out. She turned down the Bunsen burner cutting off the gas supply before turning to wipe the whiteboard clean. As silence came over the room, she took off her white coat revealing her smart casual attire. She was only too happy to pack up and leave, retracing her steps into the lab. She said her goodbyes to the people inside, hooking up her coat and picking up her jacket and walking out. She proceeded down the corridor before stopping to answer a call on her phone. The woman listened attentively before looking at her home screen as the call abruptly ended. The expression on her face was one of disappointment, sadness even, as she continued on her way, walking out into the fresh air.
Rebecca and Hazel were standing once more on the top step of the huge establishment. The cars were still there all parked in the driveway, as were the birds singing in the trees in the distance. Rebecca looked around her whilst Hazel was still in la-la land. They both turned as the door opened only to be met by someone completely different.
"Yes?" she enquired. She was slightly older than Lady Masterson, but still very glamorous. She wasn't as tall as Lady Masterson, but had her brown hair pinned back neatly with her make-up just as neatly applied, her ruby red lipstick shiny. Rebecca and Hazel wondered if they were in the right place.
"Detective Inspector Hazel. This is Detective Constable Waterford." Both flashed their warrant cards. "We are looking for Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley…"
"I am she." The answer stumped the detectives. They looked at each other briefly.
"What can I do for you?" She was friendly enough, welcoming.
"I was just wondering about these cars." Rebecca took a look behind her.
"Oh, yes." The woman chuckled. "My husband's. Typical petrol head. Loves his classic cars!" Once more the detectives looked at each other.
"Expensive ones," Rebecca continued. "I have three brothers. All car mad. Top Gear is their favourite show." Hazel's thoughts then turned to his nickname and he began to recall he, Gemma and Hathaway that time only recently…
"Yeah, that sounds like my Gilbert all right."
"Gilbert?" Hazel asked. "Your husband?"
"Yes." The woman had a bit of pride in her voice. Rebecca retook her place beside Hazel. "Would you like to speak to him?" The woman stood slightly aside.
"Oh, no thank you, Lady Masterson," Hazel said hoping she would take him up on the wrong title. To his surprise…
"You have to be careful having these cars here," Rebecca pointed out kindly. "Anyone can swipe these overnight."
"Thank you, my dear. I will tell him." Once again, the two detectives looked at each other. They thanked the woman before leaving.
"Odd, odd, odd," Rebecca told Hazel in a low voice as they approached their car. "What happened to the other woman? Is she even the real Lady Masterson-Hughes Langley? She didn't even know about the car show."
"I don't know, Rebecca. But, it is definitely intriguing." They both opened the doors on their side and got in. Hathaway would be their next port of call.
Caroline walked into the City Academy. It was quite busy with the new intake of students gathering all they need for the new academic year: forms to fill, student union cards, textbooks etc. They were all dressed in their uniforms, which Caroline reckoned would lose its appeal and immaculate appearance by the end of the semester. She smiled at the receptionist, who handed her ID badge, and informed her the principal was waiting for her. Caroline thanked her before going on her way. She passed a huge hall, and a few rooms before walking up a couple of flights of stairs. Another corridor beckoned and Caroline walked down it, a closed office door her destination to the right hand side towards the top. She stood outside it, taking a deep breath for courage. She knocked confidently and waited to be prompted. It was near enough immediately. Caroline took another deep breath before opening the door, smiling brightly at the principal, who stood up behind his desk indicating the chair in front. Caroline walked inside and closed the door behind her.
Hathaway raised his head to look at both Hazel and Rebecca in front of him. The look on his face was which could only be described as 'you're having me on'. He sat back in his chair and thought about things. Hazel and Rebecca glanced at each other. They watched as Hathaway was deep in thought. He then sat back up again and reached into his desk drawer.
"The pictures," he told them sliding the folder over. "I took the liberty of contacting their solicitor." Rebecca picked up the folder, slightly embarrassed. "Easy mistake to make," Hathaway told her. Rebecca just cleared her throat feeling awkward. "So… This woman is not the woman you first met?" he asked.
"No, sir," Hazel replied. "She was oblivious of the car show."
"More than one wife?" Hathaway just put it out there. "Are you sure she said she was the lady of the house?"
"Absolutely, sir!" Rebecca replied. "Inspector Hazel and I heard it clear as day." Hathaway stood up. Hazel couldn't help but notice a couple of items behind him in a bag. Hathaway glanced at it briefly causing Hazel to back off slightly.
"All right. These items are your main concern. It may prove to be vital. If it is what we all think it is…"
"Sir?" Hazel asked. He became concerned about his former Inspector suddenly.
"Let me know what you find." Hazel and Rebecca looked at each other one more time, both feeling the awkwardness. They both turned to leave. Hazel closed the door behind him, the sounds of CID echoing around them. Rebecca looked at him.
"Caroline…?"
"Don't go there, Rebecca. I told you." Hazel walked off leaving Rebecca to run after him, the folder under her arm.
That evening, Caroline was sitting at the kitchen table far away with her thoughts. A few documents were in front of her as was a tall glass of black fizzy stuff. She was propping up her head with her right hand, her elbow at an angle and resting on the table. The light was on and the window was open a touch. The faint sound of music could be heard from the living room.
Hathaway walked inside and switched the light on. He caught sight of Caroline in the distance as he closed the door, placing the keys in the tray on the table below the mirror. He kept his eyes on his fiancée as he took off his blazer, hanging it on the rack nearby. He placed the bag on the floor before walking towards her. Caroline was still a million miles away as he entered, taking a glass from the cupboard and filling it with the same fizzy black stuff from a 1.5ltr bottle on the sink top. She didn't even notice he taking a seat in the chair he dragged from the opposite side, parking it next to her. He placed the glass on the table and leaned over to kiss her on the side of her head. Caroline blinked and turned to look at Hathaway, moving her hand away so she could sit up properly. She took up her glass to take a sip.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"How do you think? He wasn't happy."
"Did you explain why?"
Caroline shrugged. Hathaway glanced at the floor. "It was the right decision…"
"Was it?" Caroline looked at him almost immediately. Hathaway held her hand.
"You know it was." His voice was soft. Caroline sighed heavily. She picked up one of the documents on the table. It was her birth certificate. Caroline stared at it again, her eyes affixed on her father's name.
"Who is he?" she asked in a whisper. "Who is he, Blue Eyes?"
"I don't know," Hathaway replied once again bending the truth slightly. He glanced at the wall clock on the wall above the table.
"Do I look like him? What traits do I have of his? Is he still alive?" Hathaway said nothing. He noticed the puzzled look on Caroline's face. His attentions then turned to the bag he left in the corridor. Caroline could only watch as he left to retrieve it, clearing the remaining documents to one side as he took out three folders laying them down between them. He folded up the bag leaving it at the top of the table before retaking his seat. He slid one particular one over to Caroline. Her eyes met his confusingly.
"This will answer some of your questions." His voice was still soft. Caroline, frightened to take a look, plucked up the courage to open the folder. What met her caused her to gasp. She took the first document up and read it quietly.
"Is this him?" she asked looking at the attached photograph. A tear escaped her eye. Hathaway nodded. "Oh, wow!" She placed that document aside and looked at the next one. A smile of pride came over her features. "Amazing," she commented in wonder. Hathaway leaned forwards to kiss her meaningfully on the forehead, his lips staying there for a little while. Caroline gazed into his eyes and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Caroline gently caressed Hathaway's face. She looked back at the next document, the two of them going through the folder together well into the evening and into the early hours.
