Grace and Reason

Howlynn

Chapter 2: Valley of Tears

Summary:

Lewis overhears a conversation that adds to his pain.

Most men seem to live according to sense rather than reason.

~Thomas Aquinas

He'd sat down in a stall to fall apart quietly after emptying his stomach of his meager breakfast. He lost track of time in his grief. Footsteps and whispers were heard, startling Robbie out of his memories. Nobody knew he sat in the last stall. Robbie was silent, fearing anyone finding him blubbering in the toilet like a jilted lass.

Nothing like the nick for the quick spread of gossip, and evidently Robbie had been in the gent's longer than he'd thought.

"Poor sod. I wonder if they told the full thing to his old Guv? Looks like someone will get a shot at his pretty Sergeant after all? Did you see Hammonds in there bringing the tearful DS Maddox tea and having a pity chat-up?"

"Stop that, she's got a bloke, don't she? Still mad about him and happily married, I hear. A witness on scene said his holiness died screaming. Still alive and burning when he tipped into the water. "

"Burned then drowned in that cold dark water. I can't imagine the kind of pain that must have been. And now they can't get to it. Wedged into the muck and caught on a piling. Can't even cut him out 'til they sort that. The poor bugger."

"He'll be a right sopping scramble when they do. They have any kindness for the old man, they will keep him away."

"Twenty quid says Lewis will be next. Stab one and the other bleeds. He's been a topper waiting to happen for years. Probably going cardiac as we speak."

"I hope God shows my carcass more mercy. Go out like that? They say he was a fallen priest. Just makes you wonder, don't it?"

"Wonder what?"

"You know. What'd he do that was so bad, that after his Guv saved him from burning once that it still happened. Didn't get saved from the fire this time, did he? It's freaking creepy. Fire and flood. God's wrath and all…"

"Come on, he was alright. Bit Poncy and all but, a good bloke. Brilliant brain, just a bit broody and such."

"Bit in love with the old man you mean. Wonder if the old toff even knew or cared."

"Don't be a git. Lewis is dating Doc Hobson and was married back in the Stone Age. You're just obsessed with buggery, Phillips."

"Piss off. I know what I know and not the first time rumors about Lewis batting for both teams. Hathaway? No question about it. Well, we all know where he grew up for one thing."

"You might be right. Who knows what they got up to. Always seemed thick as thieves now that you mention it."

"Come on. Lewis isn't gay. Poor old plodder. I feel sorry for him. Think that tall git of his was his only mate these days. But that doesn't mean…"

" He and the great legend, supposedly got up to a bit as well. My old man served with them in the golden olden years and he said it was a fact. Old Morse and his posh ways, had him a bit of Geordie rough on the side when he couldn't get a leg over his fancy women. Left Lewis a fortune and that big old red car. Bet he's got it stashed somewhere and uses it to seduce … "

"Sir!" the shortest constable said in shock and horror when he heard the stall door slam and turned to see Detective Inspector Lewis in full blown fury.

Lewis walked up to Phillips and glared. His voice was quiet and his eyes never wavered from the constable's face. "I did know your old man. Son. Couldn't detect his way out of your Mum's knickers most days. Thought you showed some promise. What a shame that I was wrong."

"Sir, in all fairness you should have made your presence known."

Robbie exploded. "In all fairness, you will die as judgmentally as you lived and if anyone forgives you, count on Hathaway. He'd pray for your black little hearts and it's a good thing, that, because it'd be a soft day in hell, before I would."

He looked so disgusted that all three young men looked ashamed. Robbie stormed out of the facilities and bumped straight into Innocent. "God, Robbie, where did you go? I looked everywhere. Is Phillips in there? He's driving us over."

Robbie shook his head. "Not if my life depended on it. Get Gray. He can drive us. Phillips is as big of an arse-hole as his dear old dad. He'd do well to stay out of my way for as long as you don't want to see a poor old Geordie plodder like me up on the suspect board."

Innocent sent Robbie to find Sergeant Grey and she had a short conversation with three red-faced constables.