"Here are those coroner reports you requested, sir"
JP stated, handing the file for the Inspector to exam. Jack raises his mug of coffee slightly and thanks the young man. They had yet to interview anyone, but that would soon be underway.
"Broke de C4 'an C5..."
"Bingo!"
Dwayne randomly interjects. Both colleagues and the DI glance at him confounded. He chuckles awkwardly, a sheepish expression gracing his face.
"Sorry, Chief. Couldn't help it"
Jack gives a brief awkward chuckle before resuming.
"All good, Dwayne. Let's start witness statements shall we?"
The obvious start-point was the young man's place of work. Saint Marie Slice was rather unassuming. A somewhat small establishment, but what it lacked in overall size, made up for in the number of customers they served daily. Upon entering, was the team greeted with the pleasant array of oregano, garlic and bread baking.
Jack approaches the counter and asks to speak with the manager. The young, blonde haired girl behind the till smiles at him before brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Of course"
She then disappears in the back briefly. Hearing the man's name uttered rather sharply. This is followed by a string of short-fused grousing he didn't think anyone else heard as he made his way around the front counter.
"What seems to be the problem?"
Jack couldn't help but shoot a brow up at his seemingly nonchalant attitude towards the whole matter.
"Well, your dead employee for starters"
Came a somewhat direct, yet witty response. The man's eyes widen in panic and quickly ushers the team as far from the patrons as the condensed square-footage allowed. He was well aware of his driver's untimely demise. However, such news said in such a public setting, casting a rather unfavorable light on the business.
"Yes, a shame about Ben. Are, are you suggesting it was murder?"
"We're open to the possibility, yes. Can you think of anyone he had a fallin' out with... Mr.?"
"Oh, Thomas Forbes. (Gives a low chuckle) but, please. Call me Tom"
Jack's eyes travel over to the area of the table the man had rested his hands. They seemed to have just the slightest touch of a tremble. This was interesting. Was this stress? underlying disease? Guilt? He hears Tom clear his throat before resuming once again.
"But no. I can't think of anyone that would want to hurt Ben. Everyone liked him"
Behind him he hears Florence interview other staff. Although it seemed the headway they were making was few and far between. The DI sighs and gets up from his seat.
"Well if ya can think of anything give us a ring"
Forbes nods his head "'course". Suddenly, Jack feels the swift weight of someone's hand on his shoulder. It was Dwayne.
"Chief, we gotta get outta here! They still haven't forgotten de rum thing"
He couldn't help but laugh faintly at this
"No worries, Dwayne. We're goin' "
However, just as the team of four were headed back to the Land Rover did Jack wind up colliding with a short haired brunette in the midst of her entering the pizzeria. In those following seconds did he feel the most intense wave of embarrassment and maladroit wash over him. The only things to sway in his favor was the fact nothing fell and both escaped injury.
"Oh, my word. I'm so sorry"
His words riddled with guilt. To his surprise she didn't get upset. What's more, it almost seemed like she acted as if nothing happened. She smiles and pulls the hem of her top further down.
"These things happen. It's okay"
The second he heard that Irish inflection in her voice he was hooked. It was rare for the island to see many British travelers. Even rarer having them hail from Ireland. He could feel the blood rushing to his face, feeling as though a heating pad was placed directly on his cheeks. He notices Florence by the driver's side door. An indeterminable smile gracing her face as she watched the two of them.
"Well good..(he states and heads off towards the vehicle) .by the way, never got your name"
She turns her attention from him to the door. Simultaneously whilst opening it responds with an airy chuckle.
"Alannah"
Not wanting to miss his moment. He hurriedly retrieves one of his business cards from his pants pocket. Walking as briskly as he possibly could to hand the card over to her.
"Ah, Jack.. well, we'll be in touch"
She once again smiles towards him. Only this time it seemed rather coquettish. Naturally, he couldn't return to the Rover without Dwayne playfully goading him. A wry grin plastered on his face.
"Ooooh, looks like you have an admirer, Chief"
