He knew he should do more, but he had no idea what. When they heard the gunshot she had started to cry, her tears running freely down her face as she tired to stop them. She had loved him, even though he was a monster, she still loved him. He was way out of his depth, this was Grace's territory not his, or even Frankie's. Frankie! Frankie would know what to do. He glanced across at Eve, tears still rolling down her face as she sat shivering in her wet clothes. He was the only dry one in the car, Spencer and Kat both getting wet when they had took a dip in the lake to get both Eve and Stefan out.
With some difficulty Boyd managed to remove his coat without taking his seatbelt off, making sure he kept his phone in his hand. Reaching across he draped his big overcoat across Eve, seeing Eve look at him as he did. He should never have let it get this far, never have let her get in the situation where she was so compromised. He gave her a quick, tight smile before turning to look at his phone. Kat's place was the first stop, then Eve's. He would have time, he just hoped Frankie would.
Taking his glasses out his pocket he started to type a message, making sure he kept the phone so Eve couldn't see the screen.
"Frankie, meet me at Eve's ASAP. Stefan is dead, Eve's soaked to the skin, and I have no fucking idea what to do. I'll explain everything properly later, just help me out here, please. X"
Hitting send he glanced across at Eve over his glasses, her head turned away from him as she held his coat collar to her neck. She was still crying and shivering but there wasn't a thing he could do. Taking his glasses off he looked out the window and saw they were about half an hour away from Kat's place, forty five from Eve's. That's should give Frankie plenty time to make up an excuse and get out of work.
"Spence, is the heating on?" Glancing at the dashboard as he leaned forward so he could look and see.
"Of course it is, we're all bloody soaking wet." Spencer still on edge and moody over what had happened.
"Well crank it up, Eve's shivering." Sitting back but deliberately not looking at Eve as he did.
Spencer swore while Kat turned the heating up full blast. Kat did turn in her seat and look at Boyd before trying to glance at Eve who was behind her. Kat couldn't turn around so looked in the wing mirror, seeing Eve's reflection as she leaned her head against the window, right where Stefan's dirty handprint was. She wanted to tell Spencer to stop the car so she could wipe it off, but that wasn't exactly practical. So she left it, knowing she would be the first one home and could wipe it off when she got out. The tension in the car was tangible, every person riding on a different wave of emotions. Boyd knew there was a storm approaching between Spencer and himself over what had happened. He would deal with it like he always did, both of them shouting and screaming at each other, Grace storming in and separating them, Spencer storming away then coming back and it was all done. Kat was still too new to challenge him. She might have a talk with Grace, which if Grace warranted, he would hear about. Eve was a different matter altogether. He would leave her with Frankie and take it from there.
Just as they approached the edge of the city Boyds phone buzzed, no doubt a message from Frankie. Putting his glasses back on he opened the message and read it,
"Shit, Pete! Please tell me you didn't kill him? Or anyone else on the team? She'll walk if any of you did it. I'm ten minutes from hers, I'll see you there. X"
Boyd quickly replied, knowing he didn't actually pull the trigger but still being indirectly responsible.
"Of course I didn't actually kill him, and neither did Spence of Kat. Be there in twenty minutes. X"
He would explain properly later, for now, he just needs to get the team home and into dry clothes. Frankie would know what to say to Eve, what to do and how to try and make things right. He was so preoccupied with his phone he didn't notice there were pulling into Kats street. It wasn't until the car stopped and Kat called his name did he focus again.
"Boyd, what time do you want me back in?" Kat watching him as she rested her hand on the door handle ready to open the door.
"Tomorrow, no one is in any state to work. I'll see you tomorrow, okay." Boyd giving her a very brief smile before she nodded her head and got out the car.
Boyd watched her, and he didn't miss the way she ran a tissue over the passenger side back window, the muddy handprint left by Stefan smearing away. Now he knew what Eve was staring at all the way home and he had missed it, but Kat hadn't. Spencer and Boyd both watched as Kat opened the door to her flat and disappeared inside. As soon as the door was shut Spencer had the car in gear and was pulling away, he was not waiting for anyone.
Boyd kept glancing at Eve on the short drive to her house, Spencer nearly jumping three red lights just to get there quicker. Just as they pulled in the street Boyd spotted Frankie car parked up, the dark blue Volvo noticeable amongst all the more select style of car.
"Is that Frankie's car?" Spencer as observant as ever.
"Yes, I asked her to meet us here." Seeing Eve whip round to face him.
"I don't need looking after, Boyd." Eve showing some of her spit and fire had returned as she turned to look out the window as Spencer parked the car.
Boyd didn't answer, just undid his seat belt and sat forward to talk to Spencer.
"Go home, I'll see you tomorrow, Spence." Boyd patting the younger man on the arm before going to get out the car.
When Boyd reaches the pavement Frankie was already there helping Eve out the car. Eve still had his coat, which was now around her shoulders instead.
"Come on, inside. You're freezing and shivering." Frankie slowly guiding Eve towards her front door.
Boyd kept his distance, looking back as Spencer screeched away in the car. Stepping insides Eve's house Boyd felt a little out of place. Eve was always the one who ended up at his place or Frankie at hers. He didn't do socialising, other than in the pub. Closing the door behind him he watched as Frankie managed to remove Eve's wet coat after throwing his over the bannister post. He could now see how wet she had got standing in the lake. Her jeans were now dark blue and sticking to her, the bottom of her top was plastered around her waist, and the edge of her sweater was also wet. No wonder she was shivering.
"We need to get you warm again. Upstairs and in the shower, that should help thaw you out slowly." Attempting to get Eve up the stairs as she spoke.
"I need a fag." Eve looking at Frankie as she asked for a cigarette.
"Shit, mine are in the car. Have you got some?" Watching Eve look around.
"Coat pocket." Eve pointing at her wet coat.
"Boyd fags in the car." Frankie turning to Boyd and throwing him her car keys.
Boyd caught them and headed back outside to Frankie car. He knew where she kept her cigarettes and lighter, her feeble attempt at not smoking as much. When he came back inside Frankie and Eve were stood in the kitchen, Frankie standing pulling of Eve's sweater.
"Here." Boyd passing Frankie the box and lighter as he stood behind her.
Frankie took two out and lit them both, passing one to Eve and taking a draw of her own. Eve took a long steady inhale of her cigarette, holding it in then slowly releasing it. Boyd stood behind both women and inhaled deeply, he wasn't a smoker as such, just had the odd one for old times sake. Frankie heard him inhale, passive smoking was his favourite excuse for not actually smoking. Frankie passed him the box and lighter.
"After today you need one." Seeing him take one out and light it.
The three of them stood at Eve's open back door, all smoking causing huge plumes of smoke to rise into the air. Frankie finished her first, stubbing out the dump and throwing it in the bucket just outside the door. Eve finished her and did the same, both women turning to Boyd as he finished his.
"What? You don't need me." Stepping aside so they could both get past. "I'll make coffee for when you come down." Looking around the very neat and tidy kitchen.
Boyd stood and listened as Frankie and Eve made their way upstairs, finishing his cigarette and flicking the dump into the bucket. It wasn't as warm now the back door had been open so he checked the kettle had enough water in before switching it on, shut the back door and went in search of some form of heating system. He gave up downstairs, the only things he could find was a thermostat and that did nothing when he fiddled with it. He would have to go upstairs, or at least shout for Frankie.
"Frankie, can you hear me" Listening for any sounds of movement.
When he hard nothing he decided he would have to go in search of said heating controls and hope for the best. Boyd did eventually find what he was looking for in the cupboard on the landing. He turned up the settings a little before closing the door and going to make his way downstairs. He got as far as the top of the stairs when the bathroom door opened and Frankie appeared in a cloud of steam, Eve by her side in nothing but a towel. Boyd had never moved so fast, darting down the stairs and out of sight until Frankie and Eve came down.
He made coffee, placing all the cups on the table before sitting down. When he heard two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs he looked up from his cup, seeing Frankie then Eve enter the kitchen. Eve was wearing what looked like pyjamas and a huge fluffy dressing gown. Her long hair hung loose and damp down her back.
"I need another fag." Eve reaching for the packet of cigarettes on the kitchen bench.
"How about I go buy some more and leave you ladies to talk." Boyd standing up and placing his empty cup in the sink.
"Take my car, but it needs petrol." Frankie leaving Eve at the back door and following Boyd to the front door.
"Good, I'll take as long as I can. I'll check in with Kat, Grace and Spencer if Spencer talks to me. You just do what you need to do, make sure she's okay." Boyd not being able to stop himself from pushing Frankie's fringe back off her face.
"I'll sort this out. You lot never change, you don't do things by halves do you." Stepping up to Boyd and pulling him into a hug.
Boyd went willing into Frankie's arms, his chin on her shoulder as he turned his head and buried his face in her neck. Frankie was his anchor, his port in the storm. Frankie understood him, understood how he thought, how he felt. She didn't always agree but she was there for him. Whether it was a simple squeeze of his hand, or a full-on curled up with him on the settee as his walls broke and crumbled, she was there.
"Thank you." He whispered against her ear, his fingers finding the small strip of skin between her jeans and her top on her back.
He felt her kiss his face, small open-mouthed kisses before she gave him a quick squeeze and went to let go. He let her go, stepping back and standing to his full height. She watched him go, waiting until the door was closed before turning back to the kitchen and Eve.