Chapter 1

This story is a bit of a departure for me. It's all completely written so I will post a chapter a day. I hope you don't mind the change of pace.

Laura's mobile rang as she was packing away her things. Looking at the screen she muttered under her breath. The last thing she needed was a call out, she was already running late.

"James, can you hold this for ten more minutes? Then I'm not on call."

"Dr. Hobson, it's not a murder. I was calling to see if you've heard from Inspector Lewis today?"

She shook her head, lifting her bag and walking out of her office. "Not in a few days. Should I have?"

There was a pause on the line as James debated how much to say, "No, no reason. It sounds like you are busy. I'll let you go."

Laura stopped walking, alarm filling her, "What is it James?"

"He didn't come in today."

Relaxing a bit, she started walking again, "Did he call?"

"He sent Innocent an email last night." He paused, now thinking he might be overreacting. "It's just…I tried calling him and he's not answering. I drove by his place and his car isn't there."

"James, I'm sure he just took a day off. Maybe he had things to do."

"Perhaps..."

"James, what aren't you telling me?"

"Yesterday..."

At her car, her temper finally got the better of her, "James, I have someplace to be. Out with it, what happened yesterday?"

"The man who killed his wife."

"What about him?"

"He was sentenced."

Starting her car, she buckled her seatbelt, "That's great, he can finally get some closure."

"It wasn't a very long sentence. Five years, he'll be out in two."

Laura froze, "When was this?"

"Late yesterday afternoon."

"When did Innocent get the email?"

"She said around nine. Look, I know you think I'm overreacting but it doesn't feel right."

"It's OK, James. You're off this weekend, right?"

"Same as you."

"He probably took the day off to take advantage of the weekend. Most likely he's in Manchester visiting his daughter. He often turns his phone off when he's with her."

She heard James sigh on the other end, "I didn't think about that. I'll call her just to make sure."

"No, I'll call her. If he's not there, I'll call you back. So if you don't hear from me, everything is fine."

"You don't have to do that. I'm the one who's worried."

"I don't mind, James. Go on and get your weekend off started."

"Thanks, Dr. Hobson."