Jo stopped outside the cell. 'Who was she, Henry? Who was she to you? Are you going to tell me?' Henry looked up from the floor of the cell he had spent the night in after accusing a judge of killing Abigail. His Abigail.
'I'd rather not.' He said with a sad smile. 'It's quite complicated, and a rather long story.' Jo rolled her eyes.
'Everything's a long story or complicated with you Henry. Anyway, are you coming? I got Lt Reece to approve your release, and the Judge isn't pressing charges.' She held the door open and Henry walked out of the cell. Together they headed for Jo's car, pulling their coats tighter round them in the cold winter's day. Once in the car Jo cranked the heating up and turned to Henry.
'This is weird, even for you, Henry. Just… tell me right now, why are you so obsessed with Sylvia? I mean, I get she is Abe's mom, but based on what you have told us, that just makes her your friends mom. Is she your Grandmother or something? Is Abe really your father? I know you said he isn't, but…' she was cut off by Henry.
'No! She was not my grandmother and Abe is not my father!' He glared at her sending her a clear message. Drop it, Jo. She didn't.
'What is it, then? Why can't you just tell me?'
'Can we drop the subject please, Jo?! It's none of your business, so just leave it, ok? I'll tell you if, not when, I want. Ok!?' Jo's eyes grew wide. She couldn't remember Henry ever yelling, at least not at her.
'Ok then…' She started the car, trying not to let Henry see how hurt she was. Why was he so secretive all the time? She concentrated on staring out of the windscreen, willing the tears in her eyes away. I will NOT cry in front of Henry. But of course he noticed, he noticed everything.
'Jo,' she heard him sigh. 'Jo I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. The events of the last week have been rather… harrowing.' He gave a hollow laugh. 'I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you though.' He sighed again, looking out of the window as Jo pulled up by the shop. 'I was thinking of taking a few personal days. Just until this case is over.' Jo looked over at him in surprise. Henry never missed work, not even when he was sick.
Whatever it is with Abe's mother must be really big to him. 'Why? What is it with this case, Henry? You never act like this, it's like she's your mom, not Abe's-what is it? Henry?' He had stiffened, like she had hit a nerve. 'I know you said she wasn't your grandmother, but was she family?'
'Good night, Detective.' Henry opened his door, getting out of the car, and Jo leaned across and held the door open.
'Seriously, Henry? You won't even acknowledge my question now?' Her eyes were filled with fire, burning with anger.
'I said good night, Detective.' He began walking away from the car, calling over his shoulder, 'Don't expect me back at work for a week or so.' Jo pulled the car door shut and pulled away from the curb. She had never heard Henry speak like that before, so cold and with a sharp edge in his voice.
-2 weeks later-
Jo honked her horn impatiently, stuck in the morning traffic. She sighed, looking at the line of slow morning cars in front of her. She sighed again, before jumping in shock as her phone started ringing. Looking at the screen she saw it was Hanson. Probably wondering where I am, she thought.
'Yup?' She answered the phone.
'We got a fresh one. Meet me at-' He rattled off an address.
'Got it. I'll see you there soon.' As she hung up Jo grinned. A new case meant she was entitled to use her lights. Switching them on, she began weaving her way down the road as other cars pulled over for her, and within no time she was at the scene. As she stepped out of her car she saw Hanson standing with two other men. Squinting, she recognised one as Lucas and the other as… no, it wasn't Henry, it was Dr Washington.
Great. When will Henry be back? She thought to herself, then froze as she realised what she was thinking. When had she begun wanting Henry to come back? As she continued walking towards the group she realised it had been since a few days ago, when she had called the lab for a toxicology report and was answered with an American accent, not a British one. I'll go see him today. She told herself. It's been two weeks.
-Three hours later-
Jo stepped up to the shop door, surprised by the locked door and closed sign. She knocked on the door and stepped back, waiting. She frowned, hearing muffled noises from upstairs. It sounded like someone was yelling, and every so often she could hear the low sound of someone else talking calmly. She didn't realise how long she had been listening intently, but remembered what she was doing there when there were several large crashes accompanied by more muffled yelling. She knocked on the door louder this time, and was rewarded by the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, and the sight of Abe rounding the corner. She smiled when she saw him, but that smile faded when she saw him stop at the sight of her. He caught himself and unlocked the door, standing in the door way.
'Hey kid. How are ya?'
'I'm good. I just came round to see how Henry was.' She peered round him into the shop. 'Is he around?'
'Oh, actually, he's busy right now… umm I can get him to call you-' He was cut off by more yelling from upstairs.
'Abraham? Have you got rid of whoever it is yet? And get me some more drink when you're down there, ok?' Abraham had a worried look on his face.
'We've been over this already, Henry. You've drunk enough.' More footsteps trod down the stairs.
'I'll get it myself then.' Jo heard Henry go into another room, and heard the clink of bottles. Abraham cringed.
'Maybe it's best if you come back another time, yeah?' He went to shut the door but Jo stopped it with her foot.
'What's wrong with him, Abraham? Why is he like this?' Abraham went to speak but was cut off by Henry entering the room.
'Abraham, I-' e stopped when he saw Jo, and then a sinister smile grew on his face. 'Detective. Do come in.' Jo suddenly wasn't so sure. This wasn't the Henry she knew.
'Oh, umm, no thanks, I have to go.' She stammered, looking back towards her car. 'I just came to see how you were.' Henry laughed dryly, before taking a large drink from the bottle he held.
'Well as you can see, I am fine.' He took another drink, and Jo's eyes widened. This was not like Henry, something was wrong. She pushed past Abe, into the shop.
'We need to talk, Henry. I don't know what is making you act like this, but you need to sort yourself out, right now. You can tell me if you want, or you can keep it to yourself, I don't care. But I want answers now.' Henry just stared at her with a smirk playing on his lips. And it wasn't a nice smirk. 'Now, Henry.' Jo reminded him. She heard Abe close the door.
'Let's go onto the lounge.' He said, leading the way. 'Would you like tea, Jo?'
'No thank you Abe, I'm fine.'
'No tea for me either, Abraham. I already have a drink.' Henry gave a bitter laugh; taking a large swig out of the bottle he was holding, managing to spill some down his clothes. His clothes, which Jo now saw already had food and drink spilt down them. '
'Yes, Henry we know. Wouldn't you rather have tea, though?' Jo almost smiled at Abe's attempt to get Henry to stop drinking.
'Why would I rather have tea when I can drink myself into oblivion, and forget everything?' He took another large gulp. Jo stared;
'Henry, Abe's the one who just had to bury his mother, but he is having to look after you! Why are you taking this so hard? It's not like she was your family!' She stared Henry down.
'Oh, here we go.' She heard Abe mutter behind her, but she kept her eyes locked on Henry's. 'Why don't you try just telling me? It might help.' His eyes narrowed, and when he spoke, it was in a mean tone.
'Why don't you try just keeping out of my life, detective? It might help.' He slammed the bottle onto the table and stormed out of the room, leaving Jo staring after him. When he was gone, she sank onto a chair.
'What do I do Abe?'