Chapter 6

Finale

Richard's phone buzzed. He looked at the incoming text and chuckled. "Guess where I am," it said. "Well, I know where you are – but guess where I am…" he said to his phone.

It was lunchtime, and he decided he needed at least a short break. Since he wanted to go home early, he wouldn't take a regular lunch break today, but well, he would survive. He had survived other things, he thought a little grimly all of a sudden.

There was a small bistro a few steps down the street, and he could just get something to eat there and make himself a cup of tea in the kitchen opposite his office. Usually, he liked to sit in the bistro and watch people go by or read a little, and occasionally, he went for lunch with people from his department – the times when he had spent his lunchbreak in the office and read up old cases were definitely over. He had done that during his years in Croydon, and it had suited him then, but it was part of his past, not of his present life…

He put on his jacket and left the office to get a bite to eat. The girl in the bistro greeted him with a friendly smile and asked cheerfully "Same as usual, sir? Turkey or ham?" He said "Ham - and to go, please!" He still was very predictable with food, but at least he varied a little more nowadays. He handed her the money for his sandwich and stepped out again. The drizzle that had come down just a few hours ago had not returned, and the sun had decided to show up, so hopefully, the remainder of the day would be pleasant and nice.

He hoped she wouldn't feel offended or tricked… He was authorized to inform her on what her job over here included, but he wasn't going to be her immediate superior, though they would work together on the curriculum, and the tasks she'd have in the French team would be Leblanc's business.

He wondered idly how they'd get along. Leblanc already had to deal with a somewhat bossy (though very competent) superior, so maybe he wouldn't mind getting a somewhat bossy (also very competent) subordinate…

No matter how much Richard loved Camille – he was not blind to her shortcomings. She had been incredibly patient, loving and supportive towards him – and he still was in awe about the fact that she had flown around the world just to see him in rehab, as miserable and messed up as he had been there - struggling and trying to come to terms with his situation… and that she had not been put off, but come to visit again… and well, everything else… He blushed a little, thinking of what 'everything else' included…

But this had all happened because she… well, because she loved him, as unlikely as it sounded. He couldn't help but marvel at the depth and sincerity of their feelings for one another and the profound mutual understanding between them. In any event, that didn't make her any less short-tempered, impatient, rash or explosive. However, she was also loyal, resourceful, compassionate and genuinely interested in her work and the people around her, so he felt that Leblanc had made a pretty good catch with her… He seemed fairly lenient, anyway, so maybe it had just been him – Richard – who had initially had issues with Camille's temperament. And with Leblanc she could rant in her mother tongue – that would make it so much easier for everyone. Well, maybe not for Leblanc, but that remained to be seen…

It had been a good idea not to pick her up in person, but send Shaw instead. Not only because her flight had arrived at an ungodly hour, but also because he wanted to surprise her, plus the whole thing required an official touch. It would have appeared strange if he had gone to the airport himself to pick her up. Gossip would have come up, and he wanted to avoid that. People would find out soon enough about their personal connection. Although they certainly would act professionally – no holding hands and kissing in the hallways… - but it would be next to impossible to completely hide their feelings.

Of course, when he had spoken to Potter, he had mentioned that Sergeant Bordey had been his partner on Saint Marie, and he had also said that they were friends and had kept in touch after he had had to leave the island. What Potter had made of this… neither did he know, nor did he care. He hadn't wanted to give away too much – but well, that man had eyes to see, and he'd find out eventually that Richard's eagerness to have Camille in the international team was not only based on professional motives and reasons.

But: She'd been hired by the French, not by the Met. That was important because that way he was out of her report line – officially, at least. Of course, there'd be cooperation, and they'd have to attend meetings together and everything, but she would not be his subordinate, they'd be part of different organisations, and there wouldn't be any issues in regard to the non-fraternisation rules. The Commissioner on Saint Marie was perhaps tolerant about them, but the Met here in London was a different thing, so it was definitely better to be on the safe side.

He returned to the building and entered it through the side entrance. The security officer looked up when he approached him. "Sir?" he asked politely. Richard put on his most complaisant face. "Could you please do me a favour and give me a quick ring when Officer Shaw enters the house? You know him, don't you?" The officer nodded. Richard continued "He should be back within the next hour or so… Oh, and… it's DCI Poole, Crime Academy, International Department, you know… And… thank you!" The man in the glass cubicle nodded again and replied "No problem, sir." Richard thanked him once again and went back to his office. He just wanted to be prepared…

Not so long after he had finished his sandwich, his phone rang, and the security officer told him that Shaw and a lady had just entered the house and moved on, heading to the lifts. Richard smiled as he said "thank you" and hung up. Then he shook his head about his own behaviour… Good grief, that security officer had heard him say "thank you" quite a lot… no wonder that some people said behind what they thought were closed doors that he was OCD… He knew well enough that he was regarded as 'eccentric' by a lot of people, but Richard was beyond caring about what others might think of him at this point.

He got up from his chair a little nervously, looked around his office to check if everything looked tidy, briefly straightened out his silver pencil (he had two now – one was in his pocket, together with his notebook), the ruler and the fountain pen on his desk (again – for the third time or so) - and then began to pace up and down. Then, he checked his appearance - his shoes were polished, his suit was spotless, his tie was straight.

"Oh well," he thought with a trace of self-deprecation as he caught himself brushing an invisible particle of dust off his lapel, "…might as well admit it – you are nervous!"

Then he heard steps in the hallway, along with the sound of wheels… the noise clearly came from a suitcase being pulled along the floor - approaching his office -the rolling of the mail cart sounded differently…

Quickly, he returned to his desk and sat down, turning away from the door and facing the windows behind his desk. He waited… there was a knock on the door, and he took a moment to breathe deeply before he answered with a brief "Come in".

The door opened, and Shaw's voice announced that he had brought Sergeant Bordey… So she was finally here… He felt the tension in the pit of his stomach and took another deep breath before he turned around and looked in her eyes.

It was admirable to see how she kept a straight face. There only was a tiny smile curving her lips and a gleam shining in her eyes – he was sure that Shaw couldn't see it. But he saw it, and he was relieved… it meant that she wasn't upset with him but rather enjoyed this little charade. He got up and approached her, extending his hand and acting very formally. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her – but well, Shaw was still in the room, waiting for further orders – or whatever. Couldn't he just make a graceful exit and leave him alone with Camille?

He managed to string together a few more or less coherent sentences, Camille turned around to thank the young sergeant, Shaw made a reply – and Richard wanted to scream when he saw that he still hadn't left the office. Instead he was staring at Camille, blushing madly! Richard coughed – and he finally got the hint and left. Hopefully he wouldn't skulk around in the hallway – but then again, who cared as long as he didn't come in again!

A split second after the door had closed behind Sergeant Shaw, Richard took her in his arms and kissed her – very thoroughly. Happily he felt how she pressed herself against him and responded to his kiss with considerable passion. He wanted to feel more of her, so his hands slid under her jacket, caressing her back and stroking her flanks, and he felt her breath quickening. Finally, he pulled back and took a closer look at her.

She had a new haircut – well, it wasn't really new, but it was shorter and reminded him of how she had worn her hair when he had first met her all those years ago. Her attire was elegant and professional – he had never seen her like that, but he quite liked it – and he would certainly get used to it… And he noticed that she had chosen similar colours like the ones he wore – that was a funny coincidence. He made a comment on her outfit – he just had to tell her how amazing she looked. And although he knew he should talk business now and leave her no longer in the dark in regard to the situation, he couldn't help it – he just had to kiss her again. She seemed quite happy, so he drew it out a little longer…

However… eventually he had to sit down with her to explain. They'd have time for more later on, after his parents' leaving… He had stripped the bed this morning, put on fresh sheets and stored a bottle of champagne in the fridge, so…

He started by giving her a rundown on how he had proceeded to bring her to London. Much to his relief, she didn't fall in a frenzy and have a go at him because he had acted behind her back – more or less, at least. He apologised for acting in a secretive way and explained his reasons, and she understood. Obviously, she was just glad that she had been given the opportunity to leave Saint Marie, do something new and interesting - and be together with him at the same time.

At least they could see each other regularly, she could stay with him – and when there were meetings in Paris, he could come to stay with her. She'd have her own flat in Paris, so – if she let him - that would be his home away from home (her smile at this remark was radiant, and he was tempted to kiss her again, but decided it would be better to finish his explanation, or they'd never get anywhere).

They would have a rhythm and a routine together, and if they felt like it, they could easily hop on the train and cross the channel to spend a weekend together. They'd both have their respective careers and schedules, and while it wouldn't always be easy, it would be much, much better than being on different continents. And they could make realistic plans for the future…

When he reached that point, he paused for a moment, trying not to think of the small velvet box that was hidden in a drawer of his nightstand, waiting for the right moment to come. It would perhaps be too early to ask her tonight – but they'd have a few days together, after all… so he wouldn't have to rush it. Now that she was here, he felt the panic subsiding – he hadn't even noticed how tense he had been ever since he had started to plot all this.

She actually laughed out loud when he described how he had approached Leblanc. "He had heard about you, mind you, and he was more than interested to have you in the team," he told her. "And Dubois also was happy to hear that you were considering leaving Saint Marie and returning to France." Camille nodded and said "I know her – superficially – and she's got a reputation, as you can imagine. She's one of the best. I haven't worked with her directly, but one of my friends was in her team years ago, and I only heard good things about her. I have met her in person a few times during meetings, too, and she always came across as competent and the epitome of integrity. I look forward to working with her… I'm sure I'll learn a lot. And Leblanc will be my immediate superior?"

He nodded and then asked a little hesitantly "So, what do you think, Camille – is this a good start?" She didn't give him a verbal answer, but since she moved over to sit on his lap, put her arms around him and kissed him, he figured it was okay.

After a while, they broke for air, and she looked at him with shining eyes. He smiled at her tenderly, happy because she was happy. With some effort, he found his keychain in the pocket of his trousers, took off the spare key to the house and gave it to her.

"Time for you to go home, darling. I have to stay here for a little longer, but I'm sure my parents will be more than happy to entertain you – they are waiting for you in our house."

She kissed him once again, got up and sashayed to her suitcase. He couldn't take his eyes off her – how had he managed for all those months without her being around?

As she opened the door, she looked back over her shoulder and shot him an enticing glance. "See you later, darling – and hurry!"

The door closed, and he smiled happily. He had been given a new life, and it was getting better and better…