Chapter 9
"It sounds to me like he doesn't know anything about what Frost found," said Harry with a grin, a striking comparison to the other two women sitting in the inspector's office, who both wore very puzzled expressions on their faces. "Frustrated in not knowing."
"Really? I'm not so sure," said the inspector with a worried frown. "I should have asked him again-"
"No," said Harry sternly. "That would only have made him more upset, and then he definitely wouldn't have wanted to talk to you again."
"But there's definitely something not right about him," said Nikki in the same stern voice, which earned her a glare from Harry. They were beginning to have conflict over their impression of the inspector. Nikki at first was worried about the inspector, but soon found upon talking to Stefanie that she thought Nikki to be very helpful, and said she would definitely do well in the Berlin forensic analysis department. They had earned each other's trust and to Nikki's delight found the inspector not half as annoying as the London police department. As for Harry, well, stubborn as he was, he wouldn't listen to Nikki. He simply didn't trust the inspector.
"I think it would help if I talk to Bridges again. I might be able to get something more out of him, concerning both Mark Hews and Joe Barnes. We also need to do an autopsy on Mark Hews as soon as possible," said Nikki calmly.
"I'm afraid that I've had to let Bridges go," said the inspector sadly.
"What?" snapped Harry.
"Yes, you see, technically we have not arrested him, and you can only hold a person for a certain period of time during questioning, and as Nikki's conversation with him would count as questioning, we've had to let him go, which if I may add, Bridges wasn't too happy about."
Harry breathed out heavily.
"Bridges however is not completely out of reach. Two policemen had offered to protect him. He's still scared that someone is after him. He's currently staying in the suburbs and said that he would gladly talk to Nikki if she wished," said the inspector but not very brightly.
"That's great then, I can go over today-"
"No."
A cold silence filled the air, and the inspector suddenly felt very uncomfortable to be in the same room as the two pathologists.
Nikki turned to Harry, who was glaring at her with dark eyes, ones she hadn't seen for a long time. What was his problem now?
"I am not letting you go see that man. Barnes may look not right, but I would bet my money right now that Bridges is manipulative and dangerous. I can just tell," said Harry, standing up and pacing around the room.
"Excuse me Harry, but I happen to think that Barnes seems much more the suspicious character, and the inspector thinks so too," retorted Nikki. Why did suddenly have to get all protective of her? If she were to move here, at least she wouldn't have him hovering over her, stopping her from doing her jo-
"I DON'T GIVE A TOSS ABOUT WHAT THE INSPECTOR THINKS!" yelled Harry. The inspector jumped. Ok, now she really wanted to leave. They were like a tormented couple, forever at each other's throats.
"Don't be so rude Harry. I'm perfectly able to take care of myself-"
"That's not the point!"
Stefanie watched in awe. Both were on their feet, almost wrestling each other. Harry had grabbed Nikki's wrist, while she was trying to push away, backing into the wall, while pushing her hand on his chest.
"Then what is the point! If anything, you're the one that has to be more careful!"
"Excuse me Dr Alexander, but recently I think you're the one that has become more reckless!"
Surrounded by hysterical voices, Stefanie suddenly found herself about to laugh. Why was it so funny? They had completely forgotten that she was still sitting there.
"Well, you're one to talk, you nearly got yourself killed!"
"Yeah, I falsely killed myself so that I wouldn't get killed! Unlike you, who always seems to want to be!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean! Why would anyone-"
Stefanie burst into laughter.
"WHAT!" they both shouted, at which she stopped and froze. They both had murder etched on their faces. She burst out again.
As Harry and Nikki watched the inspector, they slowly let go of each other. They had completely humiliated themselves.
"You can come Harry," said Nikki gently, patting his shoulder before leaving the room. Harry stood, still shocked at his sudden overflow of anger and sheer hysteria. He suddenly realised that it wasn't the inspector or Bridges he was angry about. TO his horror, he found he didn't want Nikki to succeed in the case at all, because if she did, that would mean she would leave.
Author's note: Pace will pick up slowly, and soon more will be revealed concerning all three leads! :
