Dempsey waited impatiently by the phone for Spikings to call, but the phone didn't ring. He waited and waited. Finally it was half past 3 and he picked up the phone and asked for Spikings. Chas told him that the man was not in his office.
"Thanks Chas. I have to go to the airport or I will miss my flight. Say goodbye to everyone. I'll miss you all".
"I'll miss you too Dempsey". Chas had not the courage to inform Dempsey about the fact that Harry indeed had made it on time, but that Fry had ruined all his chances.
"So that was it" Dempsey said to himself. Makepeace had let him down. Well he couldn't blame her. Probably she was better off without him.
He packed his back, looked around in his apartment for the last time and took his car keys. He got a déjà-vu from another time. About a drive to Heathrow airport to return to New York. But then it had been his own decision. This time he was forced to it and there was nothing he could do about it. That's what he hated the most. It was obvious to him now. He needed Harry, but she didn't need him. Not in her personal life, not at work. Maybe she was even relieved that he wouldn't be around now anymore, That she finally got ride of him.
A half hour later he was on his way to the airport. He was used to drive on the left side of the road now. Probably he needed to learn to drive on the right side again when he was in New York, he thought, a little ironical . After his arrival at the airport, he handled the car keys and car over and took a seat in the hall. Looking at his watch there would be another 2 hours to wait. 2 long hours. He decided to take a short nap. He would be awake when he had to border.
But just as he was starting to drift away, hoping that he finally would have some sleep without nightmares, someone was shaken his shoulder.
"Mr. Dempsey" a voice said. He woke up and first had no idea where he was.
"Mr. Dempsey?" the voice repeated.
"Yes, that's me". He saw a man standing beside him wearing an uniform.
"I need to transport you back to London".
"I'm not going anywhere before I knew what's going on" What the hell now?
"I'm only following orders Sir".
"I have a plane to catch!" Dempsey became a little angry now.
"I know Sir, but Mr. Spikings said that it was important".
"Spikings?' was that man joking or what?
"What did Spikings said?"
"Only that it was important Sir. Don't know the details".
Well, when Spikings obvious gave this man orders to transport him back to London, he wouldn't be responsible when he should miss his flight.
When he followed the uniformed man outside the hall he saw a police car waiting. The uniformed man opened the backdoor so that he could jump in and then sat next to him. Strange, Dempsey thought, or I would have any intention to run away.
With sirens on they drove away entering SI10 some time later. The uniformed man opened the door and staid with him till they reached the front door of the building.
"They are waiting for you upstairs".
"I know the way" Dempsey wanted to say but the uniformed man was out of reach already. So he climbed up the stairs and opened the door.
"You made it" he heard a voice saying and the next moment he felt two arms around his neck and a kiss on his cheek.
"Makepeace!" Dempsey smiled at her. She looked exhausted, but happy.
"What did Spikings said to you?" he really wanted to know.
On that moment the man himself entered the room.
"Congratulations Dempsey. Thanks to Harry's report it was possible to clear your name". He opened a drawer of his desk and handled him his badge and gun.
"But do me a favour Lieutenant. Bring them in alive next time. This took me 6 years of my life. And now out with the two of you. I expect you both back by Monday morning. And I hope you have solved your personal problems by then as well".
"Yes Sir" Harry smiled.
"Thank you Chief".
"I told you before I'm no Indian", but he smiled when he said that watching the two leaving his office.
