A/N: Once again, the storyline has been speeded up and the end results will be put differently to cover Alec and Rose's relationship because I don't want to go through the series blow by blow so a lot has been cut out.
Finally, Rose got out for the day. Alec was walking home and Rose was going to tell Mickey she had the separation order and wanted him out. He didn't have the bargaining chip any more. Alec of course had wanted to go with her but she refused, saying for one thing she didn't want him getting all worked up and have Mickey complain about being harassed and another because she needed to prove she could face him. So after kissing goodbye as Rose got into her car, she went off to face him.
Even when he moved, she still had everything to clear out, including any food left but she doubted there would be much, Mickey barely got the basics. She got there just before he arrived back and she sat waiting for him. She was going to go back and retrieve the linen and other odds and ends including mirrors and pictures when he had given her the key but if he refused, Alec said they should have some time tomorrow to clear up, after the hectic day they'd just had.
She braced herself when she heard the door opening.
''Huh? Have you come back then?''
''No, only to tell you to pack your things and get out. You won't sign the papers, I'm not letting you stay here, that was the only reason. I'll be back tomorrow and you'd best have your things out or I'll get the agency to get the key from you at the garage. I'll be back to clear up, you'd better not be here and in case you thought I wasn't being serious, you may want to take a look at this.''
She thrust the copy of the separation order she had got for him.
''It makes no difference if you sign or not. This more or less says we're divorced and I can go ahead, I don't need you to sign.''
She was only bluffing but Mickey would never be bothered checking up.
''Where am I supposed to go?''
''I don't know, try one of your so-called mates but not Nigel Carter, I think you'll find he's not exactly talking to anyone at the moment. By the way, your alibi after you left 'The Bay' is rubbish.''
She gave it a minute to sink in.
''So are you leaving on your own or do I have to come up tomorrow and pack for you? You can't deny this wasn't coming.''
''I'll leave the key tomorrow night, let me find a B&B first. What happened to you Rose? We were nice, we were happy.''
''You might have been, getting my mother to encourage me to marry you but I've not been happy for a long time. You could go back to London, I'm sure she'll take you in. Make sure you tidy up before you leave.''
Rose drove back home but stopped before she got to their caravan and took stock. Alec was pacing their newly rented caravan, worried she had not called even to say she was ok. If he had gone out onto the decking, he would have seen her leaning over the steering wheel in a parking space two caravans down on the opposite side, wondering if she was doing the right thing in trusting Alec Hardy, her boss and now her lover and a sickly one at that.
They had talked very little about what his actual diagnosis was and she had meant to look it up but they had been too busy with one thing and another so she had to get him to open up about it and what his chances were and what his life would be like once he'd had the pacemaker inserted but most of all, what it would be like if he was too stubborn to get it. She didn't even know how long he had been like this but little did she know she was about to find out the hard way.
She let herself into the kitchen area, Alec had taken the front patio door key since it would be Rose bringing in any groceries they were going to need. Alec immediately stopped his pacing and hardly gave her time to close and lock the door behind her when he heard the car engine.
''Rose darlin' I was worried about you. I put some pasta on, there's just the sauce to stir in. Is everything ok?''
He enveloped her in his arms as she sank into him. It had been a rough day what with waiting for the separation order to be signed but that had been worth every second she had waited then getting the truth out of Nigel Carter.
''It's fine babe, don't worry. Are you ok?''
''I'm fine love. As soon as this is over, we need a serious talk Rose, I mean it. Did you give him the order?''
''Yeah, you should have seen the look on his face. He thought I had gone back and didn't look like he was pleased about it. Maybe he was cheating on me after all. He says he'll be gone by tomorrow night. So, never mind all that, what did you want to talk about?''
''Us, what did you think? I know it's been less than a week but that doesn't matter. I meant it the other night Rose, I love you and when you're free, I want to make more of it, after a respectable period of whatever time you need to get over it but no matter how long it takes, I'll be waiting for you and I want you to tell me what happened to you, really when you were sixteen. Something you and Mickey were talking about. You went to him after a bad relationship, I know that much but I need you to tell me how bad it was.''
''Please, just leave it, it's over with. Yes, I went with Mickey after I got over it because Mickey was safe and I trusted him. I just never imagined he'd use that and get me to marry him. I had other offers before I finally said yes to going out with him but I wasn't ready. He took advantage of the fact I was still scared of men in general, the only man I trusted besides Mickey was my mum's then boyfriend, the one who took care of things when I'd been hurt.''
''Just how badly were you hurt, physically? I need to know love, I want you to go back and press charges, get some compensation because the police should not have backed down if there was evidence.''
''We got justice Alec, estate justice, they deal with their own and believe me, if you've never grown up on one, you can't understand how everyone bands together. I was scared, I couldn't admit I was wrong to my mother that going off wasn't a good idea but she took me back and the men took revenge. He never hurt me where it showed.''
This was tearing Alec apart. If she wouldn't tell him, he would find out what estate it was and go from there. He was not letting this rest as easily as his counterparts in London had. He supposed once Rose had withdrawn her complaint, they had no choice but he wasn't letting it go even if the men from the estate dispensed their own kind of justice, he had seen evidence of it on the estates in Glasgow when he had been a young DC.
''Maybe that was why she was so keen for me to marry Mickey, maybe she thought she was doing it for me.''
''It was forced marriage Rose, that's grounds enough for not needing him to sign. I'll come with you to the court tomorrow, this needs resolving and don't think I won't use my authority because I will.''
Rose leaned back on him as they sat down. ''I love it when you get all bossy.''
''Just you remember that Tyler. I'm not giving up. Now let me finish making dinner then you can go play bingo, I might even join in but maybe no dancing tonight?''
''Not even a slow one?''
He kissed her cheek and got up. ''Maybe you could twist my arm, I like people staring at us when I put my hand on your cute ass.''
The following morning, neither of them winning at bingo but still having a good night out, Joe Miller came in and Alec took a DNA sample from him and tried to get him to talk about that night but he still refused and had only provided the sample on his solicitor's advice to eliminate him.
They got called in for a meeting with the head of forensics, Brian, who had found traces of Danny's DNA and blood on the burned boat plus some hair but it was still being tested. Other men were being asked to provide DNA samples including a disgruntled vicar and Mickey, who ignored Alec and wanted Rose to administer it which Alec was proud of when he observed her, showing no signs of emotion as she did it.
''My own wife thinks I'm a suspect,'' Mickey remarked, mainly to Alec. ''Well do you Rose?''
"It's DS Tyler, I'm no longer your wife according to the piece of paper I handed to you last night and you might want to know, I don't actually need you to sign the papers, not when I've had an interview with the magistrate later on today but if I told you what about, it would spoil things.''
''You wouldn't, you need me to sign.''
Alec had sworn to Rose he wouldn't interfere but he was finding it difficult to stay quiet.
''Have you finished DS Tyler?'' Alec asked instead. ''We have more important things to do than you getting domestic with your ex husband.''
''You are, aren't you Rose? You and your boss?''
''Don't be stupid Mickey, we're working here, as if I would admit anything in an interview room. If you think I'm gonna back down, think again. I filed for divorce, last week so don't go thinking you can use anything against me to get out of it. You're free to go, don't forget I'll be at the house tonight and your stuff had better be gone and your keys on the table.''
Mickey huffed, glared at Alec and got up. He had been blind not to see it but there was a glint in Hardy's eye that told him he was right. Well he definitely wasn't signing now, he wasn't going to give the detective the satisfaction. What could Rose possibly do to sway the magistrate? He had nothing to worry about and if Rose wouldn't go back to him, Hardy wasn't getting her, separation or not, legally they were still married.
Rose remained where she was, glad they had not switched on the recording equipment because Mickey had come in on his own accord. Alec sat beside her and put his arm around her.
''Don't let him get to you Rose, he's just trying to deny you've already won. Let's go get some lunch then we'll go to the court and make an appointment with the magistrate or maybe we could just wait. If you say you need this divorce because Mickey is somehow involved in this enquiry, you have a good chance. He is involved Rose, I can feel it. Maybe he didn't commit the murder but he's hiding something. We have to talk about this at home, there may be repercussions if he gets bitter about it. I want you to know I'm here for you.''
Rose took his hand, they never got personal at work. ''I know Alec, thanks.''
They went off to the court first, figuring they may be able to go back after lunch and Rose got an appointment for two thirty. The town clerk was getting to know her, thinking the poor woman must be desperate and maybe her husband was a major suspect. Over lunch, Alec reassured her he was with her all the way, no matter what happened. Rose said she wanted to go to the appointment on her own but he insisted he went as her boss for moral support and promised to keep quiet. He said if needed, she should contact one of the solicitors they used at the station.
They went back to the station for a short while so it didn't quite look like Rose was spending more time on her personal affairs than the investigation but they went off at two fifteen and were being shown into the magistrate's office dead on two thirty. Mr Justice Mason looked at Alec, questioning his presence.
''DI Hardy is my boss. I filed for divorce last week then later that day, my husband became a person of interest in the investigation into Danny Latimer's death and as my boss, he advised me to seek a separation because my husband is refusing to sign the divorce papers. You signed the separation order yourself yesterday your honour but events have changed and even now he won't sign. There's something else you should be aware of.''
The magistrate looked up from his copy of the separation order he signed plus Rose's filed divorce application and a copy of Mickey's unsigned one. This woman was clearly in a very difficult situation but he didn't want to appear to be too hasty.
''Go ahead DS Tyler. I notice you don't use your married name, is that for professional reasons?''
''Yes Sir, it was easier to keep it when I got married. Can I explain how it was I agreed to get married? I don't want you to think I'm using it as an excuse but I'm going to tell you the truth. I married him because I let myself get talked into it after a bad relationship. I was abused by a former boyfriend, it's documented, I made a compliant about it to the police but the charges were dropped by my mother after we were threatened and we didn't pursue it. After that, she was worried about me and when I started seeing my now husband, she made me believe it was what I had to settle for, that I was safe with him and I wouldn't get hurt again and I believed her.''
Alec was finally getting vital information he needed.
''Go ahead. So you now believe the marriage you entered into was to safeguard you from future abuse? How old were you when you were abused by your then boyfriend?''
''Sixteen. It was over a year before I could even face going out with anyone else. I'd known my husband all my life and I suppose I felt safe with him. My mother said I should marry him for stability and since I was about to get a promotion within the police, at the time I thought she was right. Even now she's taking his side and encouraging him not to sign. I would have still filed for divorce even if this investigation had not arisen, we've tried to make it work but it isn't, it's just getting worse.''
''I see. You are in a difficult situation and I should really hear his side of the story. Maybe he did think he was protecting you but that's no reason to force you into a marriage you say you were talked into. People do get married for the wrong reasons and ends in divorce so I will take that into consideration but since he clearly does not want the marriage to end, there is no easy way to resolve this so I will make the decision for you. You will need to leave it with me. If I decide in your favour, I will sign the divorce off for you and if you do decide to reconcile which judging by your reaction is not very likely, you will need to re-marry. I will make my decision and inform you within seven days. In the meanwhile you have your separation order. Do you now have a permanent address?''
''No your honour, I'm just having my mail forwarded to the Police Station, I've given up the house and he's moving out, I put his work address down. I've rented a holiday caravan for the time being, it suits me for now, it's next to the Police Station. I don't want him to know where I've moved to.''
The magistrate had heard worse stories in his career and did actually feel sorry for her but without seeing the other party, it was going to be a difficult decision to make but since he had not made the effort to contest it or sign the papers, he concluded the man was not that bothered or he would be hot on his wife's heels saying she was being unfair and he wanted her back and their solicitors would be involved. Since that didn't seem to be the case, his decision may not be that difficult to make after all.
Rose felt better as they left the court, making out they were not actually 'together' in front of any officials. Alec hoped they wouldn't be remembered if they were to take things further in the future but he supposed it was inevitable, they just seemed to belong together and hoped Rose felt the same way. He hoped things went well though he didn't want her to think he was probably doing exactly the same as her husband did. Mickey may have loved her at one time but he had a funny way of showing it, getting her to give in and get married. He vowed he would never do that, if the subject came up and he hoped it would when all this was over. That was if he survived.
He still hadn't told Rose his condition was terminal and only a slight chance of a reprieve if the pacemaker implant was successful. She had enough to worry about, she didn't need that at present, she needed to get this divorce over with and they had a murderer to put away but the matter was going to be taken out of his hands. He just didn't expect anything to happen before everything was over, he didn't want to leave her, he had promised to take care of her.
Alec had been the one to send for Mickey, whom he had expected to be hostile but was he now suspecting there was something between himself and Rose? They got back to the station, mindful of what they had been told about hiding their relationship and not to start rumours and were waiting for forensics to get back to them when Rose got a phone call from the vicar, Paul Coates.
''Rose, can you come over to the vicarage? I just caught Tom Miller outside the churchyard trying to smash up his laptop.''
''What was he doing that for?''
''I'll tell you when you get here. Do you have to bring your boss with you?''
Rose smiled across at Alec, who was looking at his computer screen.
''Sorry, we come as a pair, if I leave him behind, he'll just complain. We won't be long.''
She went in to tell him.
''Well don't stand there Tyler, let's get going. Did he give any indication why the boy would be doing that?''
Rose shook her head. They found Paul waiting for them, a cardboard box under his arm.
''I should tell you that Tom threatened to tell you I hit Danny during computer classes.''
''And did you?'' Alec asked, taking the box.
''No. Now you know why I didn't want you to bring him Rose. Is he always like that?''
''He has his moments. Did Tom say why he was smashing it up?''
''I didn't ask. I approached him and picked it up. He said if I gave it to you, he'd tell you I forced him to give it to me and tell you I hit Danny, then he ran off. I know he's upset and losing his friend but I thought maybe there was something on there he didn't want anyone to see.''
''Tell me, have you ever been in a boat recently?'' Alec asked.
Paul looked at Rose. ''Only in Olly's boat, I borrowed it once, thought I'd try my hand at fishing and caught nothing.''
''Ok. Can you come down to the station and provide a DNA sample? We're asking everyone who knew Danny to do the same.''
''Even your husband Rose? I saw him, he's not happy, he says you threw him out and you're divorcing him. Is that true?''
Mickey and his big mouth. ''It's no-one's business Paul, it's a well known fact we haven't been getting on but I don't talk about my personal life unlike he does. I expect it's all around town by now. I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread the word, you know what the gossips are like, I don't need it advertising if we are getting divorced but I will tell you we've separated.''
''I won't say anything Rose, it's not my place but people will find out eventually. I'm here if you want to talk about it or I can put you in touch with a marriage guidance councillor.''
Alec butted in. ''She doesn't need that, just a good divorce lawyer. If she wants to talk she can talk to me.''
Paul looked at him and was going to say something. ''Very well and yes, I'll call at the station since it seems even I'm under suspicion. Rose, I hope you know what you're doing.''
''What does that mean?'' Alec asked, turning back as he was about to go back to the car.
''Make what you like of it detective inspector.''
TBC