Jake had acknowledged Alec by saying he was ready for Rose to leave the safety of the police station so he quickly rang Mickey, who knew to only let his phone ring once then hang up. JC had gone off to the other side of the marketplace but could still see the station and Rose's car then he saw the two of them step onto the veranda, Rose talking to Alec.
"He'd better be out there somewhere Alec," Rose told him, going towards the steps.
"He will be, he won't be able to resist the opportunity. If he thinks the other two officers are somewhere else, he will only just have been alerted now and it will be too late for him to back out," Alec told her as he took her hand then kissed her cheek.
They were still a few yards from her car, the Landrover parked just at the side, which Alec wasn't happy about it obscuring his full view but he could make out Mickey lounging around and he spotted one of the two brothers from the side as they reached Rose's car.
"I'm driving Alec," Rose announced, as if nothing was going on.
Alec didn't like the whole situation and he couldn't even look back at the station to see if Camille and Dwayne were watching, as arranged.
Inside, they were watching from the shuttered windows, Dwayne whistling to himself.
"Stop it Dwayne," Camille told him.
"Sorry Camille, this is getting to me. How are they going to delay leaving to let Holmes have a chance to go for her?" Dwayne asked.
"I'm sure they'll think of something. If Holmes doesn't appear soon, Hardy will find a way," Camille replied.
"You mean like kiss her or something?" Dwayne laughed.
That was exactly what Alec had in mind as Rose unlocked the car doors and no-one was heading towards them. Alec leaned close.
"Make this look good Rose, just follow what I have planned. I will lean down to kiss you then you put your arms around my neck. Hopefully, if we look occupied, he will make his move."
"Geez Alec, I hope so, this is getting too much. I see Mickey is watching," Rose smiled.
Alec smiled back. "Then give me your full attention."
He leaned down and Rose put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"We have some talking to do tonight Alec," she told him as their lips met.
Just as Alec had hoped, their intimate moment gave Billy Holmes the chance he needed as he came out from the entrance to the church next door and made his way down the path but Alec, who had one eye half open while kissing Rose, saw movement though he continued with what they were doing. Breaking the kiss but not pulling away, he just whispered in Rose's ear, pretending he was kissing her neck.
"He is just behind you. Now let go and I will walk to the other side of the car."
Rose gave him another quick kiss, trying not to think the killer was just a few feet away as Alec let go.
"What are we having for dinner tonight sweetheart?" Alec asked as he got his sunglasses out of his jacket pocket, pretending he didn't know who the man now approaching Rose was as Holmes walked up behind her and Alec headed for the passenger door as if Holmes was just someone passing by.
"Don't know babe, maybe salad?" Rose replied as she touched the door handle.
"That's far enough," Holmes told her as Rose felt something in the small of her back and Alec turned around.
"Just get in the car," Holmes told Rose, loud enough for Alec to hear. "You, step away from the car or I shoot her right now," he called to Alec, who had raised his hands slightly, hoping Mickey had seen even if Jake couldn't.
Jake had seen and was restraining himself from getting up and running as fast as he could then tackle Rose's would-be kidnapper but he was a trained Torchwood agent and he knew he had to put his personal feelings aside to ensure her safety. He knew Mickey, Alec and the rest of them were just as anxious to do the same.
Camille motioned to Dwayne to follow her out onto the veranda and make their way down the steps while Holmes was occupied and Jake was watching the stallholder he'd paid twenty dollars to move his stall out. The man seemed to be busy and Jake hoped he would hear the car starting or he'd wasted his money and the car wouldn't be stopped.
As if the stallholder had ESP, the man began to take notice and called his friend over.
"Hey Jimmy, give me a hand," he called, Jake hoping it wouldn't alert Holmes but their suspect was too busy waving the gun towards Alec to get him to step back from the car.
"I said step away, I'm not kidding," Holmes called out to Alec, who was debating if Jake's plan of the stallholder getting in the way would work or not. "Get in the car Miss Tyler and yes, I do know who you are. You are going to drive me to the harbour and when I get on a fast boat, I'll let you go but only if your boyfriend orders the rest of the island's police officers to keep back and not follow."
Alec noted the man had said nothing about her friends.
"I will hold them back on the condition she is released unharmed," Alec stated, seeing Jake move out of the corner of his eye.
"That depends on you, Hardy. Now stop stalling for time and get in the car Miss Tyler," Holmes told her, almost pushing her into the car. "Try anything and your boyfriend gets hurt."
Camille and Dwayne were just behind the bushes, JC had seen what was going on and so had his brother. Mickey had joined Jake without being seen and they were ready to move just as the stallholder moved his vegetable stall across where Rose was about to reverse out once Holmes got in. Making sure her seatbelt was fastened, as soon as Holmes got in the car, before he had the chance to put his on, Rose started the car engine and looking back through the mirror, made sure no-one was standing behind her but she saw the stall had been moved.
Pretending she hadn't see the stall behind her, she put her foot down as she placed the automatic gearstick in 'Reverse' and seeing the car reversing, Dwayne and Camille, who had armed themselves came out of their vantage point. The two brothers went behind the stall and Jake and Mickey joined them just as Rose slammed on the brakes and missed the stall by inches, much to the relief of everyone including Alec, who had followed them and was about to open the passenger door to a stunned Holmes.
Camille and Dwayne joined him, Dwayne motioning Alec out of the way.
"Let us deal with him Sir," Camille suggested as Dwayne opened the passenger door.
Alec nodded and went to join Jake, who was helping Rose out but as soon as she saw Alec, she ran to him.
"It's over Rose, you can relax now," Alec told her as she flung her arms around his neck.
Camille was putting a pair of handcuffs on Holmes, who was still slightly stunned from Rose slamming on the brakes.
"You are under arrest for the murder of Richard Poole, armed robbery and the attempted kidnapping of a police officer," Camille told him.
"Officer Myers, read him his rights and take him inside," Alec told Dwayne, who wasn't handling the perpetrator very gently. "Jake, take Rose home please."
"I don't want to go home, I want to hear him confess," Rose insisted.
"I'm not confessing to anything," Holmes finally spoke up. "I want a lawyer."
"You are in no position to demand anything Holmes," Alec told him. "We can hold you for 24 hours before we charge you. You will be questioned and held overnight then we transfer you to prison where you will await trial. Officer Myers, make the arrangements."
"Yes Chief," Dwayne replied as the two other officers escorted Holmes inside.
Alec turned to Rose. "You should go home, Jake and Mickey will stay with you until I get back. Were you hurt when he pushed you inside the car?"
"No, I'm fine. If anyone's hurt it's him, why do ya think I put my seatbelt on? I saw that man moving his stall, I guessed what you'd asked Jake to arrange, good thinking."
"That was my idea," Jake grinned as Mickey moved her car back. "We figured Holmes would be too busy to notice what was going on behind him."
"Yes, well be thankful it worked," Alec told him, kissing Rose's forehead as she clung to him.
Inside the police station, Dwayne had locked the man up after a struggle which had resulted in JC and JP assisting. Dwayne went back to his desk to begin filling in the paperwork and getting the fingerprint kit out of his desk drawer.
"Phew, never thought the man would struggle so much," he said to Camille.
"What did you expect?" Camille replied. "You saw what he was going to do, he waved a gun at them."
"Come on Camille, I was watching the man, I would have shot at him before he got the chief or Rose," Dwayne replied as Alec came back in, without Rose.
"Sir, do you want us to question Holmes for you?" Camille asked him.
"No I will do it myself, fetch him."
"Sir, it took three of us to get him in his cell," Dwayne objected. "Trust me, he is best kept locked up, I have to take his fingerprints."
"Then do so Officer Myers, then take his statement," Alec replied, going for his pills and getting some water.
Camille noticed and went across to him.
"Are you okay Sir?"
"What? Yes, I am fine. Do not tell Rose but I thought I was going to have another attack out there. It's this damned heat."
"Are you sure?" Camille questioned him. "You need to get yourself sorted or Rose will get on your case. She's worried about you, we all are."
Alec didn't like being made a fuss of, even now it was out in the open he was ill. They heard some shouting from the cell area, Camille shaking her head.
"I guess our killer does not want his fingerprint taken," she smiled.
Dwayne emerged from the cell area.
"He's demanding a lawyer, says he will pay for it Chief."
Alec hated being called that even more than being called Alec.
"Is there one on duty?" he asked.
Camille picked up her desk phone.
"I will see who is still in the local office Sir, someone will be on standby. Are you going to question him tonight?"
"No I will leave it until morning and if you will come back with me to speak to Rose and take her statement?" he asked Camille.
"You need a ride home," Camille smiled while she was put on 'Hold'.
Rose had just got home, Jake making some coffee and Rose calling Pete.
"Yeah, it's all over Pete," Rose was telling him. "Jake and Alec had a plan and the killer fell for it. I'm just waiting for Alec to come back, I expect Camille will be with him to take my statement."
"Good, I'm glad it's over but best not tell your mother how the killer was caught? They seemed sure that was going to work, using you as bait?" Pete asked her.
"Yeah but they didn't tell me everything," Rose smiled, directing that at Jake.
She hung up after assuring Pete she was fine and Jake sat next to her.
"It was my idea to get the stallholder to block the way. I saw Alec on his way back to the station and he thought it may work. Glad it did."
"So am I Jake. You're quiet Mickey," Rose commented.
"What's to say? You didn't really need us all did you?" Mickey asked grumpily.
"What's with you?" Jake asked.
"Nothing. I could have stayed at home."
"Martha turned you down then?" Jake grinned.
Mickey flung a cushion at him.
"Ooh, sore point?" Jake laughed.
"I'm going home, when all this is over," Rose informed them.
Mickey sat up. Then he became deflated again as Rose continued.
"I'm gonna have to stay to testify at the trial, since I'm involved now but after that, I'm gonna take some leave and visit Alec in Broadchurch. If they can find a replacement for me, then I'm not coming back, Alec said I could work as a liaison officer for Torchwood. I'm sure Pete would agree to it, I could cover the whole Dorset area and maybe parts of Devon."
"Good idea Rosie," Jake agreed.
Mickey didn't think it was such a good idea, ever since Rose had chosen to live and work on the island, he'd thought she may invite him over a few more times but she never had and now, she had been getting cosy with the Doctor's double and he wondered if Alec knew. Rose wouldn't thank him for telling the detective though but Jackie would have something to say about it.
Dwayne waited for the duty solicitor to arrive then he was busy taking Holmes's statement as Camille drove Alec back to the villa. She pulled up outside, delaying getting out.
"So, are you going home now Sir?" Camille asked as he took his seatbelt off.
"Do you think I am in a hurry to leave?" Alec replied. "I can't stay in this heat, not in my condition, I told you what almost happened and do not repeat that. I am in no hurry to leave Rose but she understands my reason for going back."
"Don't break her heart Alec," Camille warned him, risking being personal with him. "Has she told you she lost someone a few years ago?"
"She mentioned something but she did not go into any details. That was the past and no, I am not leaving here until she agrees to at least pay me a visit in Broadchurch. She will have to testify here, now she was almost kidnapped, I hope the justice system is quicker here than back in Britain."
Camille smiled, taking her seatbelt off.
"I'm sure it is, you shouldn't have to wait long for her to join you. I've never seen her take any interest in men while she's been here and trust me, I have tried to fix her up with a few dates."
"She mentioned it," Alec half smiled, reaching for the door handle.
Rose rushed over to Alec as he let himself and Camille in, flinging her arms around him.
"Are you okay Alec?" Rose asked him, clinging hold of him.
"Yes, I am fine. Camille has to take your statement, I'm sure you want to get it over with?" he asked her, seeing Mickey eyeing them. "You go ahead, Jake and I will prepare something to eat."
"Who am I, the invisible man?" Mickey huffed as Camille led Rose out to the poolside.
"Stop it Mickey," Jake warned him. "What's your problem?"
"Him," Mickey replied, seeing Alec raise his eyebrows, just like the Doctor used to do when they'd been in the Tardis.
"What's he done to you?" Jake asked him, trying to keep a fight from breaking out.
"I can speak for myself," Alec told Jake. "If you have anything to say Smith, get it over with but you keep Rose out of this, she has been through enough the past few days without worrying about your jealousy."
"Huh? Me, jealous?" Mickey almost laughed.
"Come off it mate," Jake told him. "When has Rose ever indicated she'd take you back?"
"Just because she never said anything doesn't mean she wouldn't have," Mickey admitted.
"Just to get things straight, how long ago did the two of you break up?" Alec wanted to know, just in case Mickey was the one Rose had mentioned she'd lost.
"I know what you're thinking Alec," Jake told him. "Rose and Mickey broke up when she was nineteen, she met someone else and went off with him, then she lost him and she could never bring herself to go back to Mickey. He's not the one she lost."
Alec wondered what had gone on but Rose had seemed in no hurry to tell him. They had talked briefly about what had made her decide to stay on the island and her not going back to work for Torchwood but she had also said she didn't think somehow she'd qualify for the police back home. He now hoped he could change her mind about that, her stepfather had the power and influence to get her a job anywhere, he must have had a hand in getting her settled here.
He decided he wasn't going to get in a shouting contest with Mickey, Rose wouldn't appreciate they were fighting over her and besides, what had he to be jealous of Mickey for? It had been apparent to him Rose was long since over what had gone on between them.
"Just be warned Smith," Alec spoke up. "Rose seems to have made her mind up she wants to be with me so my advice is go home and move on, like Rose is trying to do. I know she lost someone, I hope I can fill that gap in her life."
Out by the pool, Camille was just writing down the recent events and she passed the statement sheet to Rose, who skimmed over it.
"Yeah, that's what happened. You don't have to put the part in where Alec looked ill do you?" Rose asked her friend.
"You noticed?" Camille smiled. "I made sure he was okay, he said it was just the heat and I expect it was because the woman he loves was in danger."
"Camille, we hardly know each other, how can he be in love with me?" Rose asked.
"I saw him looking at you. Okay, maybe that's a presumption but he is falling for you. Look at you, you turned your nose up at every man I tried to get you a date with," Camille reminded her.
"Yeah I know. I wasn't ready for a few days holiday romance Camille, I know you were only trying to help me settle here. I lost someone, a long time ago and I never got over him, a holiday romance wasn't going to take that away."
"But Alec will?" Camille questioned her. "He's going home Rose, this heat is making him ill and he knows it. At least he doesn't keep complaining about the sun like Richard did," she remembered fondly.
"Yeah, he did go on about it a bit. We all still miss him Camille," Rose tried to console her friend. "We've not really had the time to remember him so why don't we all meet at your mother's bar tomorrow night?"
"Good idea Rose," Alec said as he joined them on the patio, wearing just a t-shirt and some longer shorts. "Have you two finished?"
"Yes, I should go file this statement," Camille told him. "Do you want to speak to Holmes in the morning, before they take him to the prison?"
"Yes, I will come down after breakfast," Alec replied, putting his hands gently on Rose's shoulders.
Rose patted one of his hands. "I hope you and Mickey haven't been fighting?" she asked him.
"No love, Jake was being referee. Dinner is almost ready, just chicken salad. Will you stay?" he asked Camille.
"No, I should go finish up at the station, Dwayne will want some company, he'll be staying there tonight," Camille told him as she got up.
Alec helped Rose up then put his arms around her shoulders from behind.
"Then I will see you in the morning, Jake will see you out, Mickey is sulking somewhere, I think he has gone to pack," Alec told her, hoping he was right about the last bit.
"What did you say to him Alec?" Rose asked him.
"Nothing. Well I may have put him right on a few things. What am I supposed to do?" Alec replied, wondering what she was implying.
"I should go find him, he's probably ringing the airport to see if there's a flight back to London tonight," Rose sighed.
"Let him go love, he has to deal with it in his own way, you will just make things worse," Alec told her.
"He's right Rose," Camille agreed. "I tried to stay out of it but Mickey will never move on while you make a fuss of him, it's best you let him go."
"I stayed friends with him but maybe that's not been enough?" Rose wondered out loud, reaching for Alec's hand and him kissing the top of her head.
"I'm going," Camille laughed at the sight of them. "See you tomorrow."
Camille went off and was heading for the door when Jake came out of the kitchen.
"Not staying Camille?" he asked. "You're welcome, I made enough."
"No thanks Jake, looks like you've made too much if Mickey is pouting. Is he still here?"
"He went to the bathroom but he's probably called for a cab to take him back to the hotel and booked a plane out of here," Jake grinned.
Mickey had just come out of the bathroom and heard them talking from the top of the stairs. He took his phone out of his pocket and connected to the internet then changed his mind. He decided he'd leave the next day, since the hotel room was booked for the night and besides, it was early evening and he'd probably have to get two planes and a boat knowing his luck.
He came downstairs as Camille was going out.
"Hey Camille, can you drop me at the hotel?" he called after her.
"Not staying Mickey?" Jake asked him.
"You are kidding?" Mickey replied. "You saw the way he keeps looking at me."
Camille burst out laughing. "Come on, I'll drop you in town."
Rose and Alec had stood on the patio, leading to them kissing, which Mickey had been staring at as he came downstairs.
"Are you going back to Broadchurch Alec?" Rose was asking him, resting in his shoulder.
"You know I have to, this heat is too much for me, even wearing casual clothes. I won't leave before Monday and before we talk about it. You have to stay for any trial, I doubt Holmes will plead guilty. The commissioner will have to send for a replacement, he knew I was not going to stay, I was all they could find at such short notice."
"Yeah and you got Richard's killer," Rose reminded him.
"Only by putting you in danger love, that should never have happened."
"I know but it brought him out into the open and it was your plan. It worked," Rose assured him.
"I had some help from your friend Jake. Rose, I have to ask you something."
"About Mickey? It's over between me and Mickey, if there was anything ever really there. I was young Alec, we just got together but then someone else came along and Mickey wouldn't let go. It drove the other man away though he never actually said it was Mickey, it's complicated."
"It always is," Alec mused. "You want to talk about things being complicated? Try your ex carrying on with a fellow officer right under your nose and everyone knows about it except you. It hurt, yes but I let her go and now, well I wonder if we were ever meant to get together in the first place."
"You have a daughter Alec, she wouldn't be here if you'd not met your ex. Mickey's just one of those who can't accept something is over and I feel guilty but I swear if he makes a fuss this time, I'll never talk to him again."
"I believe you Rose," Alec assured her, holding her closer. "We have a lot to talk about but we eat first."
When Jake had called for a cab back to the hotel, they sat on the sofa as Rose lay across Alec's legs while he held her.
"Did I tell you the neighbours were having a barbecue on Sunday?" Rose asked him. "Maybe we should go?"
"If you want to go? Rose, I think we have more important things to talk about than a barbecue eh? Before I leave, I have to know you will come and visit when the trial is over."
"Of course I will Alec. I'll put in for leave as soon as we get a new DI, well if we get a permanent one, which I hope the commissioner is working on. You're going back to Broadchurch then?"
"It's as good a place as any. I will arrange for my surgery before you get there but will you go with me?"
Rose moved to kiss him.
"Yeah, 'course I will you plum. It could take me a few weeks to get back though, can you wait that long? Don't put it off for me Alec."
"I'm not, it scares me Rose but if you are there, then I know I will make it because I was told the chances of success were not very high."
Rose was appalled.
"What? Then don't go delaying it Alec, speak to my stepfather, you won't have to wait, he'll get you the top surgeon."
"I can't accept any help Rose, I have to wait my turn like anyone else. I would not get any special treatment had I not met you."
"Well you did meet me so maybe you were meant to? Take a chance Alec, just this once."
"I am taking a chance," he told her as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "You made me realise I won't last without getting the pacemaker, I'm taking a big risk for you."
"I know you are but please, if you get worse, promise me you won't wait for me going back."