A/N: Thank you for reviewing! I appreciate it so much!

II.

When he had a day off, Lynley liked to walk along the banks of the Thames. It helped him to put his mind off things, although he wouldn't get a chance to enjoy that pleasure today. He was walking at the height of the Tate Museum and the Millennium Bridge when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"I'm surprised to see you again, Thomas Lynley."

He turned around instantly.

"Lindsay."

She was wearing a dress that matched her eyes and hair perfectly. She looked absolutely stunning. He bit his lip and felt his cheeks turn red. It had been four days since… He hoped he hadn't hurt her. It had been a very un-gentleman like thing to do, and nothing like him. He deeply regretted his actions now, looking at the beautiful young woman standing before him, eyeing him with those hazel eyes. Apparently she could read the fear in his eyes.

"Don't be worried Tommy, I'm not a fragile porcelain doll who will fall apart any minute."

She smiled at him and he returned her smile. She pointed at the museum.

"I was just on my way to the Tate. Why don't you go with me?"

He hesitated.

"Come on, it's for free! I won't bite."

Lynley grinned and followed her.

x x x x x x

"I just love John Constable's art. Which is your favourite?"

"I don't really like paintings."

Lindsay's face straightened a little so he quickly continued.

"But I do find John Constable's work to be of very high quality. Those landscapes are very interesting."

Lindsay laughed.

"You're just saying that to please me."

Now it was Lynley's turn to have a laugh.

"Well… Maybe a little. Come on, I'll buy you a coffee. I know a lot more about that."

They both laughed and set off. They settled in a nice café somewhere along the Thames.

"So where did your fascination for the arts come from?"

"I've studied Art History. It would be a dream come true to work in a place like Tate's one day."

"I'm sure you will," he smiled.

They spent the rest of the day together.

"I am thoroughly enjoying this day, Lindsay. At work it's always so hectic; it's nice to escape from that for a while."

She squeezed his hand and smiled.

"What is it you do? Gosh, we've chatted about thousands of things, everything but your job!"

He grinned.

"Yes well, like I said, it's nice not to think about it for a while. I'm a police officer. Detective Inspector, to be exact."

"Detective Inspector… Well, well. I thought those were all ugly raving bastards."

Lynley laughed.

"Not all of them. Say, I know a nice little place just around the corner. How about we go out for some dinner?"

"I'm sorry Tommy, but I have to go."

He frowned. She looked at him briefly, then eyed down.

"I have some business to attend to. I'm sorry."

She kissed him on the cheek and walked off, disappearing into the summer night. The swan flew back to her nest while the crow was left behind in the dustbin.

x x x x x x

The following day he was not exactly a joy at work. The words 'DANGER – DO NOT APPROACH!' were written all over his forehead. Along with the words 'Shut up' and 'Get out of my way,' for that matter. Poor Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers was having a rough day. And matters were about to get worse.

She knocked his door.

"Sir!"

"Come in."

He didn't seem amused. She wondered what was bothering him, but by the look on his face he obviously didn't feel like talking. And she wisely kept to that secret message, although she had no other choice but to discuss the upcoming event.

"There has been a murder."

The exhibition of John Constable was from 1 June – 28 August 2006: the time at which this story takes place.