Author's Note: From this chapter on, the story is being carried on by Em and myself. We were simply having too much fun to stop. We email the story back and forth and currently are up to nearly 1800 pages! I had promised to post chapters more quickly but have been going over the completed 40 chapters and proofing them again to find any other mistakes before posting.
I appreciate reviewer Karl's remarks, however it should be understood I am doing my best. It's not easy to proof your own work. As for using American phrases, I should perhaps point out that I am an American and how I say things will bleed through on occasion. Another project I am going to start on is "Cast of Characters" album on photobucket. When we first started this, we "cast" an model or actress that we thought fit how we saw the character in our minds. So, it seems only logical to share that with others. When it is finished, I will put the link on the profile page, hopefully it will be allowed :D
Thank you for the subscriptions, we are glad you are enjoying the story as much as we are enjoying writing it.
BB
Moon
We do not own Eastenders or Ashes to Ashes, we have simply built our world around them
Chapter 14
Rowan awoke before the dawn as usual, the odd feeling of foreboding making her as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She smiled down at Chris as he lay there sleeping. She'd huddled against him, shaking for quite a while before she'd managed to go to sleep.
She slipped quietly out of her room and went into the kitchen to get the coffee going. She was sure Chris and Alyssa would need it!
Alyssa stirred as her alarm went off. She moaned in agony as the annoying bleeping noise she had become accustomed to set off a thousand and one drills inside her head. She threw her arm over the clock and hit the snooze button clumsily as she did so.
Turning over she buried her head back into her pillow and gathered her quilt more securely around her not wanting to surrender to the cooler air waiting outside of her covers. Alyssa did not have to wait long for sleep to claim her once more.
2 hours later Alyssa was brought back to consciousness by a glimmer of light that had somehow worked its way past her curtains and was attempting to lighten her room.
She grumbled to herself as it again triggered her hangover. She shouldn't have drunk so much last night. At least not without eating first.
When Rowan realized Alyssa had not stirred herself by 7:00 she rapidly fixed a cup of coffee and knocked on her flatmate's door.
"Coffee at 7 o'clock," Rowan announced. She also placed two paracetamol next to the cup. After the amount she'd seen Alyssa put away in the pub she was sure to be in serious pain this morning. Rowan paged through her Book. She was sure she had something for a hangover but whether or not the herbs were handy was another story.
She made a cup for Chris and went into her room to wake him up. He'd be needing to get to work soon as well. She felt her heart pound a little harder as she looked at him lying there. She fought back her impulses and simply ran her fingers through his hair to wake him. She was going to have a massively busy day in the café today with her theme night buffet and she had a lot to get done before then.
When Chris was sitting up sipping his coffee, Rowan went back into the kitchen and began to make breakfast – full English, she decided with a wicked grin.
Then she went into her room and rummaged in her herb box and made a hangover cure tea for Alyssa.
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Alyssa threw a nearby slipper at the door in retaliation to her friend's interruption of Alyssa's enjoyable stupor.
She was grateful for the coffee that was undoubtedly waiting outside her door. But in her present state the only emotions she would be able to convey were few and far between. She knew that gratitude was not going to make an appearance no matter how much she wanted it to.
Alyssa heaved her carcass out of her bed and left her curtains. Light she was not ready for. She avoided the mirror too. She knew that she would look rough if her headache was anything to go by and she didn't particularly want to be cringing at this hour.
Opening the door cautiously Alyssa picked up the warm mug and the paracetamol Rowan had left her on the small table. She threw the pills down her gullet and allowed a mouthful of coffee to follow, scorching her throat as it went.
From her room, Rowan heard Alyssa finally stir. She smiled. Her flatmate was radiating her misery. Poor girl! Rowan gave Chris a quick kiss and then went into the kitchen to check on the tea. It had steeped enough so she poured up a cup and went to Alyssa's door.
"Lyss?" she said softly, "Try this out, might help."
Alyssa placed her coffee down next to her clock and dragged herself back to the door.
She opened her door and squinted through the sunlight that seeped through. Blearily she looked at Rowan and then at the mug in her hand.
She took it off her with a small smile and peered at the stuff inside it.
"What is it?" she croaked.
"It's to help your hangover," Rowan replied. Chris took advantage of Alyssa keeping to her room to grab a quick shower.
"Breakfast is nearly ready if you're eating and you may want to call in late," Rowan added with a giggle. "Chris and I will be leaving soon. Bianca's opening the café today so I can be a bit late. Do you want me to go by the car lot and tell Max you need to leave early for tonight?"
Alyssa avoided smelling the liquid as she downed it.
"Cheers, Ro," she mumbled as she handed the mug back.
Alyssa shuffled back into her dark room and took a deep breath as she drew her curtains back and flooded her room with light.
She turned back to Rowan.
"I'll talk to Max, don't worry. I'm going to have to call in late."
She reached for her coffee mug and drank the rest of the searing hot liquid.
"Ro, I don't think food is a good idea this morning."
Rowan nodded.
"All right, but I'm going to leave you some toast. You will feel differently before you leave I reckon," she said with a smile. She turned and went back to the kitchen to finish her breakfast with Chris.
Alyssa nodded and moved into the bathroom as Rowan went to the kitchen.
Alyssa stepped out of the shower feeling more awake. Whatever Rowan had given her was beginning to work. Her hangover was gradually fading.
She dressed and managed to look the complete opposite from how she was feeling.
She wandered into the kitchen and tried not to gag at the smell of food.
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Max pulled up in front of the car lot and got out of his car. He juggled Alyssa's Starbucks and his briefcase and kept an eye on Abi as she sulkily climbed from the vehicle and then stood, folded her arms across her chest and scowled at her father.
"Abs, don't start this today right?" he said to her. She huffed and stalked to the door of the office. Max sighed and trailed behind.
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Alyssa eventually wandered into work. She hated being hung-over. Rowan's tea had worked but the drills inside her head were still working.
She blanked Max and sat down at her desk with a scowl. Computers were not going to be her friend today and god help the person that made any loud noises this morning.
If Max was surprised at the state of his PA he chose not to show it. Abi had already been causing him enough grief that morning. She had taken great exception to Alyssa calling Max on his cell phone, even if it had been completely work related. He really was beginning to wonder if he could cope with her anymore if this was how she was going to act around any female near him.
He hoped she would get plans made and not hang about work all day. Alyssa looked like her day was not starting out well and Abi would be sure to make it worse.
Alyssa hadn't noticed Abi as she had walked in. A noise behind her made her turn and she held in a groan as she saw the teenager.
"Abi, would you mind keeping it down!"
She turned back to her monitor as it turned on. She took the lid off her Starbucks and took a sip.
She prayed that Rowan's tea stuff was still working.
Abi scowled and began to swing her leg, causing it to hit the file cabinet with a great deal of noise.
"Abs, that's enough!" Max snapped. "You will not come here and harass my employees understood?"
Alyssa winced at the sound of Abi kicking the filing cabinet. Max's raised voice did nothing to help either.
Abi folded her arms and scowled in reply. Her phone beeped and she flipped it open.
"I'm out of here," she huffed and stomped out of the office, taking great care to slam the door behind her.
She restrained herself from doing Abi some serious harm as she slammed the office door.
Alyssa really wanted to collapse on her desk and sleep off her hangover. She glared at Abi's retreating figure out of the window.
Max got up and placed his hands gently on Alyssa's shoulders and began to gently rub her neck.
"I'm really sorry about Abi, Alyssa. Look, I know you're feeling rough and there's nothing going on until this afternoon so why don't you go home and go back to bed and be back here at noon alright?"
He walked around to face her and put his hand on her cheek.
"Besides, I know you have to be in shape for your mate's big do tonight yea?" he smiled.
"So, go on. You can catch up your paperwork when you get back and leave after that interview this afternoon."
Alyssa leant back in her chair as he spoke to her.
As he finished she stood, leaned forward and kissed him softly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
She walked out of the office and made her way home.
Abi saw Alyssa walking away from the car lot and nudged Jordan.
"There she is."
The pair got up and moved to intercept Alyssa. Abi stopped in front of Alyssa and folded her arms, blocking her way with a glare.
"You need to stay away from my dad," Abi snarled. "I'm not going to warn you again. Making him wait on you like some kind of puppy, getting you your posh coffee. You leave him alone."
Then they each threw a water balloon at her and ran off.
Alyssa was fuming. That girl had serious issues where her father was concerned.
Her little rant was amusing though. Had she been given a chance, Alyssa had a thousand retorts brewing in her mind.
She looked down at her soaking top and was grateful that her hair was mostly dry.
Chris had been out wandering around, waiting for Alex and the Guv to set plans for the day when he saw what happened.
"You alright?" he asked as he came running up to Alyssa. She was soaked.
"Little bastards," he muttered. "Want me to do anything?"
Alyssa looked up at Chris.
"I'm fine Chris. It's just water. But she needs a serious attitude adjustment!"
Alyssa patted his arm and smiled at him.
"I'm off to sleep this hangover off. See you later yeah?"
"Yea, Ro got bossy with me this morning that I be at the café at 4," he said with a grin. He was really looking forward to her big do that evening.
"See ya later," he said with a wave and wandered off, wondering absently where Ray might be.
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The morning sunlight woke Ronnie from her sleep. She rolled over and curled up next to Ray, happy to be in her bed this time. She was still sore, exquisitely so, but at least this time it wasn't from sleeping on the floor.
She sighed and wondered what time she should show up at the pub. Now that she and Roxy had made up, again, she was willing to help her sister out. And, if she was being honest, keep an eye on that Danny.
Ray felt Ronnie move closer into him. He moved his arm so that she was cradled in his grasp. He leaned his head further back into the pillows. They were certainly a lot more comfortable than sleeping on the floor.
Ronnie felt his arm come around her and snuggled closer. He made her feel safe. She narrowed her eyes and looked at the clock on the bedside table. 7am! She sighed.
"What time do you have to be at work?" she mumbled.
Ray leaned his head against hers. "Well seeing as the Guv is with Drake I reckon I've got longer than usual."
He glanced at the clock and thought carefully. "Probably about an hour an a half."
Ronnie picked up her phone and sent a quick text to Roxy to find out what time her sister wanted her at the pub. Then she looked at Ray and smiled a slow smile.
"So, we've some time to kill then?" she asked as she slid her hand between his legs.
Ray groaned and then rolled on top of her and kissed her softly.
"You are very naughty!" he told her between kisses.
"What can I say, you bring out the bad girl in me," she giggled and then slid slowly down his body, her mouth following her hands as she slipped under the covers and put her mouth to work elsewhere.
Ray groaned again and buried his hands in her hair. His hands clenched into fists and got knotted in the mass of blonde attached to her head.
Ronnie lifted her head briefly.
"Ray," she whispered, "be careful with the hair." Then she lowered her head back to what she'd been doing, using teeth, lips and tongue to take him over the edge.
Ray relaxed his grip as she wished and let her continue.
"You're incredible!" he said breathlessly.
"I aim to please," she replied and then bent to increase her efforts. She realized she was enjoying what she was doing to him as much as he was and wanted to make it memorable.
Ray let her finish and then pulled her on top of him. He kissed her roughly and tasted himself on her lips. He growled.
Ronnie smiled wickedly. He was so sexy when he growled! She lay on top of him and kissed him soundly, glad Roxy hadn't texted her back yet. She wasn't sure she wanted to get out of bed at all if Ray was in it.
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Roxy sat in the kitchen. Amy on her lap, the poor girl had been screaming for most of the night whilst her baby teeth came through.
She knew that Danny had left early because of it. She cuddled her daughter and picked up her phone as a text came through.
She texted Ronnie back and put her phone back down.
She watched her aunt come along the corridor and she smiled trying to stem Amy's tears.
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Ronnie heard the beeping of her phone that signaled an incoming text but was far too distracted to answer.
When the pleasure of release finally coursed through her she reached over weakly and snatched the phone up. She flopped down boneless, spent beyond belief. She pressed herself against him, trying to encourage a cuddle and flipped open her phone.
She quickly replied to Roxy's text: "I'll be there," and shut the phone. She huffed out a breath trying to pull herself together.
"Well, looks like I have to be at the pub in an hour so I should probably get up and shower seeing as my morning workout has been so exhaustive," she teased.
Ray didn't want to leave Ronnie but knew that he would have to at some point.
He also knew that they both needed showers. They were both more than a little bit sticky from last night's escapades.
Maintaining her kisses he lifted her naked form and stood. He climbed off the bed and carried her in the direction of her bathroom.
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Roxy heard her phone go off again and picked it up. She smiled at her sister's response and then stood with her daughter in her arms.
"Best get you presentable then darling," she cooed.
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Rowan bounced into the café and greeted Bianca cheerily. Since all seemed to be under control she went to the prep area and checked over the ham and the beans. Then, she got started baking pies.
Danny sloped into the café, very much in a foul mood. That brat of Roxy's had kept him up all night with her screaming and he was beginning to lose his will. He ordered a coffee and sat down; nursing it, trying to convince himself that the money was worth it.
Chris wandered in the direction of the café after making sure Alyssa was all right. He kept patting his phone, wondering if he should give Ray a bell but knowing he'd get it in both ears if he interrupted anything. He'd go in the café, have a quick brew and then maybe call Alex. He needed to know what the Guv wanted him to get on today anyway so that couldn't hurt. He ordered a brew off Bianca and then set down off to the side so he could see Rowan in the back. She was clearly cooking and very caught up so he didn't interrupt. He pulled out his phone and stared at it, mulling over who to call first.
He decided to call Alex, at least she wouldn't beat him, although, the Guv might.
No answer. He got a refill on his tea and contemplated Rowan as she worked. Watching her cook was almost like watching a dance. He'd never really taken an interest before but even he could tell she made it look easy. She had a negligent style that made anyone think they could cook.
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Gene rolled over and knocked Alex's alarm to the floor. He growled and sat up, the sunlight causing him to squint. Bloody women! They put curtains up everywhere and never closed the bloody things!
He smacked her bare bottom and then dragged himself from the bed to head for the kitchen to make coffee. Time to make a start on looking into this Mitchell murder a bit more.
Alex groaned as he got up and she felt his warmth leave her side. She kicked him on his leg as he passed in retaliation as he smacked her.
She covered herself with the blankets and sat up too. She stretched, glad for the sunshine streaming in through the uncovered window. She glanced at the outside world. No clouds, sunshine. Summer was definitely on its way.
Alex leant down and retrieved her alarm clock from where Gene had thrown it. She inspected it carefully for damage. Satisfied she set it back in its place. Swinging her legs off the bed she picked up a dressing gown and padded into her kitchen.
She wrapped her arms around his stomach and leant into his back, closing her eyes as she inhaled his morning smell.
Gene covered her hands with his and she wrapped him in her arms. He felt so much better with her around. So good in fact, he thought this was the first morning he had ever woken up without a screaming headache from too much to drink the night before.
"So," he said as he reached over some cups, taking care not to dislodge her warmth against his back. "Think we'll manage to find any more information on this Mitchell murder today?"
He sighed as he poured out her coffee. He placed the cup on the counter and then turned in her arms to face her, giving her a quick kiss when he'd done so.
"We really should find some place for us, the team, to talk over the files Chris got, and maybe see what else we can get him to find."
He picked up the coffee and handed it to her.
Alex withdrew one arm from around him to take her mug and she sipped the hot brown stuff in it.
She shifted her position so she was next to him and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I'm not sure. We really need to get to the bottom of it though. It's making my head hurt just thinking about it."
She blew on her coffee and then took another sip.
Frustrated she placed her mug down and reached for a pen and notepad.
"People connected? Jack? Ronnie? Max? Mitchell Family?" she thought aloud as she wrote down the contents of her head.
She had a small mind map full of links within minutes and reached back over for her coffee, her mind was a whirlwind of theories.
"Marsden was pretty focused in on those Mitchells, although I don't think your mate had anything to do with it. I imagine Ray will keep us informed if he gets anything out of her besides," he broke off and coughed loudly to prevent himself from saying something crude. Alex would know what he meant. It was pretty clear how things were between those two. He hoped Ray could survive.
"I think Jack's only involvement was in helping his little nephew leg it. I don't imagine we'll get anything out of him. I personally don't care if he did help but he knows more than he's telling," he harrumphed and drained his tea.
Alex raised her eyebrows at him. Knowing exactly what was going to come next.
"I agree that no matter how much Ronnie hated her dad she wouldn't have killed him, the rest of the family however..."
She pondered for a moment and then wrote a list of the Mitchell family members.
"What about Max Branning, he's Bradley's dad right? Surely he knows something. He might be less defensive..."
She trailed off again, thinking. She vaguely knew Alyssa; she was a friend of Rowan's. Maybe Max would be more likely to open up to a colleague than the police.
"Did you manage to read all those notes of Marsden's in the file? No, I don't think Ronnie is a killer, but in those files it says that that man raped her when she was 14. I think if she'd been inclined to kill him it would have been long ago. He was obviously abusive and though she might mouth off to him I don't think she'd have had the guts to kill him."
He paused and made himself more tea.
"Now if you know someone who can get something out of Max I say try. Hard to say if he knows anything much. He seemed pretty wrecked by his son's taking off, especially since the wife went too and she was up the duff."
Ignoring any protest from Alex, Gene pulled out a cigarette and lit up.
"I want some more on that wife, what was her name, Glenda?" He shook his head. "She showed up pretty quick for the will reading after being out of the picture for so long. And that makes the Gene Genie suspicious."
He ran the tap and put the cigarette out with the water and then threw it in the bin.
"I'm for a shower, you gonna join me?"
Alex looked at him. He had definitely retained the information in the file.
"Glenda! She interests me too. Probably a goldigga."
She added her to the mind map. She wrote some more notes as he put out his cigarette.
At his words a smile crept onto her face. She looked up and then stood. Walking over to him she took his hand and led him to the bathroom
"Do you really have to ask?"
Gene snorted a laugh at Alex's word choice. She always seemed to say things to make him laugh. He still fondly remembered when they were after that poof of a gangster. Alex had shocked them all when she'd said "cock". He was so proud of her.
He squeezed her hand as she led him to the bathroom.
"No, but it seemed the gentlemanly thing to do," she said, then yanked her to him and scooped her up and carried her the rest of the way.
He thought he heard the trill of Alex's phone ringing but ignored it.
When they'd finished in the shower, Gene handed Alex her phone. He noted as he passed it to her that there had been a missed call. He really didn't get the fascination with these noncey little pieces of plastic.
She stood at the doorway and watched him silently, the smile returning.
Alex dried her hands on her towel and then took her phone off Gene.
She wrapped her towel securely around her and clicked redial.
She let the phone ring, the number hadn't been recognized. She wondered who had called her so early in the morning.
"Gene what if it was important?" she worried.
Gene harrumphed and shook his head.
"Did they leave a message? No." That was something else he'd noticed. "If it's important they call back.
He stalked into the bedroom to get dressed.
Alex sighed. The phone rang out. The other phone was engaged.
She placed her phone back down next to her notes and followed Gene into the bedroom.
Chris sat and listened to Ray's phone ring. He finally stopped the call and sighed. He put the phone down and it beeped at him. He picked it up. Missed call. Alex. He hurriedly picked up the phone and hit the button.
Alex jumped, startled. The sound of her phone ringing brought her back from her daydream. She tore her eyes away from Gene as she scrambled back towards her phone as it continued to ring.
For gods sake! She thought as she rushed to answer it
"Alex Drake" she said breathlessly with a look back at the bedroom
"Ma'am? It's Chris. You all right?" he asked, curious at her breathless response. He suddenly cringed and hoped he hadn't interrupted something.
"Errrr, just wondered what time we're supposed to meet up today is all," he said weakly.
Alex glanced at Gene as she tried to regain her breath.
"I'm fine Chris. Umm..., hang on a second."
She held her hand over the receiver and called out.
"Gene? What time d'you want to meet the others?"
She watched the doorway in anticipation.
"As soon as bloody possible!" Gene hollered back from the next room. "And we'll meet them at that café, that bird of Chris' can cook and I'm hungry."
Chris heard Alex ask and thought maybe he had got bad timing…but then the Guv was clearly answering from a distance. Chris allowed himself a small sigh of relief.
Chris decided to call Ray again. With Alex and the Guv on the way he'd better get to the café quick. He picked up the phone and hit redial.
"Come on Ray, answer your phone!" Chris pleaded. He was sure he could hear the roar of the Quattro as it approached. Voice mail!
"Ray, the Guv and Drake are going to be at the Café any minute now. You better get your arse over here!" he blurted and then snapped his phone shut. He moved to the bigger table in the back and waited.
Rowan had finally noticed him there and he gave her a little wave. She blew him a kiss and then went to talk to Bianca to see if she needed anything.
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Gene spun his keys on his fingers and slammed out the door with a large grin on his face. He slid into the Quattro and beat a tattoo on the steering wheel until Alex got in. Her door had barely closed before he hit the gas and the car leaped away, heading for the café.
Alex hung onto the side of the car. He was driving more like a maniac than usual.
"Ever heard of driving safely!" she yelped as they narrowly avoided another car as the Quattro hurtled around the bend.
Even her vice like grip on the door next to her could not prevent the rest of her body from being thrown around the car due to his reckless driving.
Alex scowled at him.
"Don't be such a girl!" Gene scolded and slammed on the brakes to slide into a perfect parking position outside the café.
"In case these weren't enough of a giveaway Guv! I AM a girl!" she huffed, gesturing to her bosom.
"We have arrived!" he announced. He grinned at her and got out of the car.
She followed his lead and slipped out of the car.
Gene chuckled at Alex's comment as he went into the Café. Rowan happened to be standing there at the counter as they came in. Gene smiled cheekily at her. Rowan fought the urge to blush. There was no doubt that Alex's man was overwhelming.
"Tea and full English love," he requested and winked at her. Then he turned and went to sit with Chris.
"Where's Raymondo?" he growled.
"No idea Guv," Chris answered. "Been trying to call but getting voice mail."
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Ray growled at the sound of his phone going off. He ignored it and turned the shower on with one hand. Ronnie still encased in his arms.
Delicately he placed Ronnie onto the tiled floor and held the shower's glass door open for her.
"After you."
Ronnie smiled at Ray and kissed him then gratefully stepped into the hot water. She glanced at him when his phone rang.
"Shouldn't you answer that?" she asked him.
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As more people came into the café, Danny decided he'd had enough and decided to head back to the pub. He'd overheard Peggy convincing Roxy to make up with Ronnie last night and judging by Roxy's face she'd done just that. He would have to make sure to keep an eye on Ronnie while she was around. Ronnie was smart and observant which meant trouble for him if he wasn't careful.
Alex glared after him but smiled as she turned to Rowan.
"Morning Rowan. Do you do chocolate croissants?"
She leant against the counter and surveyed the café. Chris, Rowan, Bianca and were here apart from Gene and herself.
Rowan smiled at Alex and shook her head.
"No, but try one of these." Rowan went to her baked goods case and took something out and came back. She stuck it on a plate and put a cup of coffee next to it.
"Chocolate chocolate chip muffin," Rowan explained. "Low fat," she finished with a grin. The muffin was large, nearly the size of a regular coffee cup.
She placed the cup of tea for Gene next to Alex's coffee.
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Ray grumbled and turned, leaving Ronnie in the shower.
He picked up his phone and rang back Chris. Tapping his foot impatiently. What he wanted was to be in the shower with Ronnie!
Chris snatched up his phone as it began to ring.
"Ray? Where are you? You better get to the café quick. The Guv…." Chris broke off as Gene grabbed the phone from him.
"Raymondo!" Gene nearly bellowed. "Get your arse down here double quick. That is an order. We have police work to do."
He handed the phone back to Chris and turned back to look at the counter. What was taking his tea so long? Bloody women and their gossip! he thought as he saw that Alex and Rowan were chatting.
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Danny grumpily left the café and went back to the pub. The door was thankfully still unlatched and he went back inside and locked it behind him.
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Alex looked at the huge muffin on her tray and allowed herself a huge grin.
"Cheers, Rowan."
Rowan winked at Alex and then went to fix Gene's breakfast.
Alex lifted the tray carefully and made her way to the table where the other two were clustered.
She placed the tray down and passed Gene his tea. She sat opposite Chris and broke a bit of her muffin off.
"Where's Ray?"
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Ray cringed at his DCI's voice through his phone and answered with a meek:
"Yes Guv."
He threw his phone down and stomped back to the bathroom.
He stepped in next to Ronnie, wound his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"I've got to go," he whispered into the shell of her ear.
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Gene looked up as Alex sat down and immediately grabbed his tea and drank half of it down.
"Bout bloody time woman," he growled and then sniffed appreciatively at the smell of what he was sure was his breakfast cooking.
Gene stopped his cup halfway to his mouth as he was preparing to take another drink and looked at Alex in response to her question on Ray's whereabouts.
Chris blushed and looked away to keep from laughing.
Gene gazed at her steadily for a minute, knowing she would figure it out eventually. When he saw a flicker of understanding come into her eyes he raised his cup and took a drink.
Alex couldn't help but smirk as her brain kicked in and she realised where Ray was most likely to be. She sipped her coffee trying not to laugh.
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Danny noticed Roxy's phone lying on the bar but Roxy didn't seem to be around. She was likely upstairs with that brat of hers. He kept his eyes on the door by the stairs, picked up her phone and quickly looked at her texts. Yes, as he suspected. One to Ronnie asking her to be at the pub by 10 and Ronnie's reply that she would. He frowned and snapped the phone shut and put it back where it had been lying.
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Ronnie turned, slippery wet in his arms and kissed him.
"I have to get to work too. It's all right. The day won't last forever will it. Stop by the pub later and maybe we can…." she broke off and began to whisper in his ear exactly what they could do and the possible location where they could do it. She grinned and stepped out of the shower as his arousal became evident. She did not want to get him into trouble with his boss and if she stayed in the shower she would.
Ray stood in the shower and allowed the hot water wash over him as he watched her retreating figure.
Stepping out of the shower he dried himself quickly on a towel and dressed swiftly after trying to locate his clothes.
He planted a rough kiss on Ronnie's mouth as he rushed from her home.
Ray ran most of the way to the café. He stumbled inside and inhaled the promising smell of bacon.
He smiled at Alex and Chris before turning to Rowan.
"Bacon buttie an a brew please Rowan," he ordered before taking his seat next to Chris.
At Ray's smile, Chris looked at Alex and grinned. Someone was in a good mood. He stifled a laugh. That Ronnie bird clearly had Ray wrapped around her finger.
Rowan waved in Ray's general direction to acknowledge his order but kept her eyes on her cooking. She hurriedly slid the food onto a plate and then assembled Ray's order. She added chips to his plate knowing he liked them and then carried the food and a pot of tea over to the table.
Gene grinned at the promise of food and could barely wait for Rowan to put his plate in front of him.
She gave Ray his bacon buttie and put a buttermilk biscuit with gravy in front of Chris. She knew he liked them and she didn't have any at the flat.
She refilled the teas and poured Ray a fresh one in the empty cup she'd brought along.
"How's the muffin?" she asked Alex. Muffins weren't something she normally baked but had decided to bake her own instead of paying for them from the previous supplier.
"Cracking breakfast love," Gene announced around a mouthful of sausage and promptly smacked Rowan on the backside. Rowan's eyes widened and she shook her head slightly and blinked several times. She looked at Alex and cleared her throat.
"So, about the muffin?" she asked as she edged away from Gene.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Danny went about tidying up the rest of the pub as he waited for Roxy to make an appearance. Glenda was probably going to call him again today and ask him about the holdup on the money transfer. She didn't understand patience was required.
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Alex watched in slight disgust as Gene tucked into his breakfast and tried not to laugh through a mouthful of muffin at Gene's display of thanks. Privately she was a bit peeved but knew that it was just the way he was. Nothing she said would make him change. "Delicious!" she announced chasing the crumbs from her mouth.
Ray smiled broadly at the buttie and chips Rowan had brought him.
"Cheers, Rowan!"
He took a bite and chomped it before swallowing. "Not half bad!" he exclaimed.
He reached for a sachet of ketchup and brown sauce. His gaze drifted to Chris to see his reaction to the Guv's actions.
Rowan smiled and patted Alex on the shoulder in thanks.
She nodded at Ray's thanks, glad that she wasn't standing anywhere near him. She wasn't sure if he wouldn't do the same as his Guv and didn't think her backside could handle another. She'd worked in restaurants of all sorts for a long time. She was used to boisterous men, rednecks could be far worse and they generally didn't bother her, but that smack had stung!
Chris caught her eye and she walked around the table, grateful to be away from Gene's hands.
She leaned over and Chris whispered in her ear to ask if she was okay. She nodded and smiled at his worry. She looked in his eyes and then leaned and whispered something else in his ear. She grinned wickedly as Chris was unable to hold back a bark of laughter at what she'd whispered. She stood and winked at Alex as she left the mostly full pot of tea on the table for them.
Rowan walked back behind the counter and got back to work rearranging in the back with Bianca's help. There was more room back there than she'd realized and decided to make use of it. She'd dug into her dwindling savings and bought an oven. It was to be delivered that afternoon and she was very excited. Baking would be so very much easier.
Alex smiled again at Rowan. She and Chris were so good for each other. Though Gene's ways did take some getting used to.
Ray was satisfied that Chris and Rowan seemed to be okay with the Guv's...humour. At least no one had kicked off.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ronnie finished her shower after Ray had left and got dressed then headed for the pub, texting Roxy that she was on her way as she walked. She tried the door when she got there but it was locked, so she reached up and rapped on it smartly.
Danny heard the knocking and realized it was probably Ronnie. He frowned and then went to the storeroom so he wouldn't have to let her in.
Roxy ran down the stairs as she heard the door being knocked on.
"DANNY!" she yelled as she went.
She knew he was back because she had heard him come in.
She unlocked the door to reveal her sister.
"Hey Ron!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
When they were done organizing in the back, Rowan went over to the cook tops where her two pots of ham and butterbeans were slow cooking. She set Bianca to greasing the cast iron skillets and filling them with the cornbread dough so they could be baked when the oven arrived and was all set up. She lifted the top off the first pot and the savory smell filled the air. Rowan smiled. The smell brought back such good memories. She stirred both pots and then allowed Bianca a taste. She replaced the lids and then the pair got started on prepping the chicken for frying.
Chris was still chuckling over Rowan's whispered comment. She had a naughty side to her that while he was always surprised when she showed it, he appreciated it nonetheless.
Gene, oblivious to all but his food, made short work of his breakfast. He sighed and drank off his tea and then patted his stomach. He noted the files in front of Chris and reached over and grabbed them and began to leaf through the papers. He absently put his empty plate on the table next to them so he could put the papers down as he pored over them.
Alex rolled her eyes at him and crossed her legs in annoyance. Why did he have to go through a total personality transplant around other people?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Danny heard Roxy pound down the stairs and screech his name. He grimaced. Stupid cow. He dialled Glenda's number again but got no answer. There had been a great deal of that lately and he was becoming annoyed.
Ronnie smiled at her sister and gave her a squeeze as she entered the pub. She stood as her sister shut the door and then looked her over critically.
"You look awful Rox, haven't you been sleeping?"
Roxy smiled sleepily.
"Amy's teething," she replied simply.
She hugged her sister briefly. She turned around and scanned the bar. She cleared her throat and yelled again. "Danny!" she called her brother again.
He really was useless sometimes!
Ronnie's eyes widened at her sister's yell and she shook her head slightly.
Danny finally came stumping up from the store room carrying a crate of bottles.
"Yes Roxy?" he sighed as he put the crate heavily down on the bar.
Roxy sighed in exasperation!
"You couldn't have opened the door?"
He had been in the basement! She had had to leave Amy in her bed, find some decent clothes, run all the way downstairs and worry about her hair! All he had to do was walk up a couple of steps.
She scowled at him and retreated back upstairs to get dressed.
"Ron, can you look after Amy while I get dressed? Danny I need you to sort the bar out and call the brewery, we're running low on the Speckled Hen!"
"I was getting stock. The door was shut and I didn't hear anything. Calm down," Danny huffed. He tried to hide his annoyance with her. He really wanted this over with. He wasn't sure he could take much more. "Fine, yes. I'm on it. Make sure you call the bank so they get paid this time," he reminded her as he began to put the bottles away.
"Sure Rox," Ronnie said with a speculative glance at Danny when he wasn't looking. Something just was not right there. She couldn't put her finger on it. For some reason, she thought of Rowan and some of the odd things she'd said to Alex when Alex had been calling Gene.
She shook her head and chased the thoughts from her mind as she followed her sister up the stairs.
"Rox, what's up with you and," she broke off and then forced herself to say his name, "Danny? I don't think I've ever seen you lose your temper at him before," she commented, keeping her tone neutral and uninterested.
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Rowan noticed where the empty plate had ended up. Thankfully no one was sitting at that table. She came over with another full pot of tea and picked up the empty plates and the made sure the other pot was empty before replacing it with the new one.
She placed an artistically drawn flyer on the table. Bianca had done her a great favor and asked Whitney to design a flyer for the buffet. She had done it in the style of a sort of Civil War recruitment poster and it turned out very well. Rowan was pleased with it.
"I hope I'll see you all this evening for my big night," she said as she lightly tapped the poster.
Ray looked up. Themed food night? He licked traces of sauce from his mouth.
He grabbed the flyer and studied it before he found it being taken out of his grasp by Alex.
"My grand re-opening tonight, starts at 6. It's gonna be a hoot," Rowan drawled, letting her southern accent slip loose. She seemed to be backsliding rather a lot lately and wondered why. She felt the cold chill work its way down her spine and tried to keep herself from shivering.
Something bad was going to happen. She didn't know when, but she knew it would be soon.
She took a deep breath and smiled to cover her anxiety as her fingers slid towards Chris' arm, needing his solid presence.
"I'm making some of the food I grew up with. Thought it would be a nice shake up and something different for everyone," she continued, her accent still flavoring her speech. She couldn't seem to shake it.
Chris patted her hand, unaware of Rowan's unease, happy just to be touching her.
Alex smiled as she heard Rowan's true accent slip through her speech. She sipped her coffee and had made her way through half of the muffin. It was much better than having chocolate croissants for breakfast. She noticed Rowan shudder. Alex overlooked it and presumed it was the weird feeling Alex got when people walked over her grave.
Rowan patted Chris' hand back and then picked up the empty plates she had stacked to carry them back to the back with her. She wondered absently if she should read the cards to see if they had anything to say about this strange sense of impending doom that seemed to be hanging around. If she wasn't careful it was going to affect her cooking. She'd get distracted and start burning things and she was not willing to let that happen. Not tonight.
She pulled out her phone, unable to resist her curiosity. She quickly typed up a text to Alyssa, asking her to get the small carved wood box from her wardrobe and bring it to her during her lunch break. She flipped the phone shut with a sigh and began to wash up.
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Roxy shook her head as she reached the corridor.
"He doesn't pull his weight, everyone is constantly slagging him off and he doesn't even seem grateful that I defend him to everyone"
She let out several deep breaths after her little rant.
She looked at Ronnie and sighed.
"Amy's in her room, I'll be about 20 minutes"
She moved in the direction of her bedroom. She turned suddenly.
"Thanks Ronnie."
Ronnie nodded. "Sure Rox, any time," she said, surprised that Roxy seemed to be getting past her being enamored of this supposed brother of theirs.
She carefully made no comment and in went in to pick up Amy, who in true infant fashion had fallen asleep now that everyone was awake.
Ronnie rocked Amy and wondered why Roxy didn't phone the doctor to get something. Surely they made painkiller for this sort of thing. She thought she remembered Aunty Peg mentioning something about putting whiskey or something on a baby's gums when they were teething but she couldn't remember for sure and Aunty Peg had run off somewhere. Probably getting into trouble with Pat again.
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Rowan kept pulling her phone out and looking at it. Why wasn't Alyssa texting back? It was very unlike her. She opened her phone and dialled the car lot.
"Branning and Son," came Max's gruff response.
"Um, hi, it's Rowan, Alyssa's roommate. Can I speak to her please?"
"She's not here."
"I'm sorry?" Rowan was confused. She distinctly remembered Alyssa saying she was going in to work. And here it was nearly 11:00? Maybe she was taking an early lunch to get Rowan the box she'd asked for. But why not text back then.
"I said she's not here. She was feeling ill this morning so I sent her home."
"Ohhh," Rowan replied. Now she understood. "Okay, thank you Max," Rowan said, making bold to use his first name. She flipped the phone shut. Well, no wonder Alyssa wasn't answering! She shook her head and grinned. Suddenly, the time stuck her. The wonderful, big ass oven would be here soon! She needed to get busy.
She hustled out to her only table, check in hand. She hurriedly placed it on the table.
"Look, I'm going to be closing up for an hour or so. I'm taking delivery of a large oven and need to have time to get it set up," she explained.
"Then you won't mind if we impose on the privacy of your closed café to go over this case," Gene half-asked, half-stated. "We'd like to be able to discuss things without the local gossips around."
Rowan's brow furrowed. She sighed and glanced at Alex.
"All right," she conceded and then levelled a finger at Gene, "But understand I'm going to be busy so if you need tea or anything you will have to wait," she said firmly and folded her arms.
Gene shrugged and nodded and then absently fished into his pocket and put some money on top of the check. Rowan smiled and picked it up and headed back to the counter.
Gene looked at Chris. "Bossy ain't she?" he commented with a grin at Chris.
"Now, down to cases," he said and pulled out the files from yesterday that he'd stashed in his coat.
Alex had finished her muffin. She picked randomly at the small, dark, chocolaty crumbs that littered her plate. Waste not want not! She thought as she collected them on her finger.
She licked the crumbs off and snatched the files off Gene with her other hand. Alex placed them on the table neatly in front of her. She skimmed through them swiftly scanning each one quickly for anything that stood out as unusual or odd.
Ray watched Drake take the files off his DCI. He observed in amusement the anger that flashed across the Guv's face at her movements.
If he wasn't careful she would have him wrapped around her little finger.
Chris pulled out some more papers and handed them to Ray. He put a legal size pad of paper he'd asked Rowan for earlier on the table and a couple of pens. The Guv was big on notes. Not as much as Alex. Sometimes he could feel his hand cramp when she said his name in that tone that meant "notes."
Gene sat and watched Alex as she skimmed through the files. He could see her brain working as she sifted through the papers. Between them, they'd figure out what was what. He nodded to himself and took another drink of tea, mindful of that warning Chris' bird had given them about leaving her alone. He noticed Ray's smirk and glared at him until he looked at the papers Chris had slid in front of him.
"So, thoughts."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Alyssa stirred and opened her eyes. Her vision was hazy but her head felt clearer. She shifted her position and look around.
She had passed out on her bed. Her clothes were still wet from where Abi had attacked her. One of her shoes had fallen off and she didn't want to know the state her make up was in.
Alyssa rolled over and looked at her alarm clock. 11:15. She had an hour before work.
She grabbed her phone and checked it. 1 unread message?
She read Rowan's text then decided to make herself more presentable before visiting the café.
She threw her sodden outfit into the wash bin and dug around in her wardrobe for a new one. She reapplied her make up and ran a brush through her tangled curls. Feeling better she chucked her phone in her bag and went to find what Rowan had asked for.
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Max toyed with the flyer for the café's reopening. Darren had brought it in. He was of the mind that considering how good Alyssa' flatmate's sandwiches and pies had turned out to be, this buffet was sure to be brilliant as well. He found himself glancing at the clock, counting down until he knew Alyssa would be there. The office just wasn't the same without the smell of her perfume and her presence. And he had to admit, the idea of locking the office and shagging her on the desk or wherever turned out to be convenient had a great deal of appeal. He shifted in his seat and calmed his thoughts.
He dropped the flyer and headed outside for a fag and decided the buffet would be a good idea after all. Then he wouldn't have to cook for Abi and see the disappointment at his admittedly limited cooking skills. Sometimes, she reminded him too much of Tanya.
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Danny made sure the coast was clear and then slipped outside to use his phone. Answer phone, again! He was rapidly beginning to lose patience. If she showed up here it could ruin everything and the fact that she was avoiding him was a very bad sign in his book. A very bad sign indeed.
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Alex shut the files in front of her. She sat in thought for a moment, pondering the information she had just read.
Suddenly she leant down to dig in her bag for her mind map she had made earlier in the kitchen. She pulled it out and placed it in front of her. She studied it carefully checking her work and making links as she looked it over. She took out her biro too and chewed the end as her mind worked frantically trying to find connections.
Finally she turned the mind map around so Chris and Ray could read it.
"These are the people so far who may or may not be involved. The arrows show their connection to each other and the list of people on the side show who they may be more willing to open up to rather than the police." she moved her finger over her work as she spoke demonstrating what she was telling them.
Once she had finished she looked them over for any tell tale signs that they had understood her little speech.
"Any questions or ideas?" she asked hopefully
Ray looked up from his file in exasperation. Did this woman ever stop? He pitied the Guv if this was what he had to put up with. His mind drifted to Ronnie. He was jolted back to earth by the feeling he was being watched and blushed slightly under Alex's glare. Embarrassed of being watched while memories of last night filled his head.
"Erm, yeah! Who's Glenda?" he asked gesturing to her mind map.
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Alyssa had found what she presumed was the item Rowan had asked for and balanced it with her purse in one hand while she shut the door.
She crossed the street, avoiding looking at the car lot and keeping a wary eye out for Abi.
She knocked on the door of the café as it appeared to be locked. She could see a group of people around one table and hoped she wasn't interrupting Rowan in an important meeting.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Chris looked over at Ray in response to his question and answered before the Guv.
"She was married to that Mr. Mitchell. Marsden ruled her out because she didn't show up until the reading of the will but left her name in the file. I think she meant to get back to it. Was a mite bit suspicious that, although it were a waste of her time. That Roxy got everything. Turned out that Glenda wasn't actually married to him anymore. So she got nothing," Chris grinned.
Gene nodded in agreement with Chris' assessment.
"There's also the question of this so-called son, Daniel Mitchell," Gene pointed out. "From that lovely cat fight in the pub we know he showed up with Glenda and she claimed he was Archie's long lost son. Your mate Ronnie doesn't seem to buy it and neither does that aunt of theirs," he said with a nod at Alex. "I think we need to find out more about him and all. Any ideas who we can get for that, Bolly?" he asked her as he folded his hands on the table.
"Do you really think that Max Branning might know something?" Chris asked curiously. He noticed Rowan slip out the door and saw a flash of Alyssa's hair through the blinds. He pointed at her name on the paper. "She's outside with Ro right now," Chris offered.
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Rowan happened to be getting the machines ready to brew more tea and coffee when she heard the rapping on the door. She peered over and saw the flash of Alyssa's hair in the sunlight. She hurried around and unlocked the door and went outside. She was dying for a cigarette anyway.
"How are you feeling? Did you have any more of that tea? I'd left some on the stove. Why didn't you tell me Max sent you home?" Rowan fussed as she fumbled out her cigarettes and lighter. "Sorry I'm closed up, I've got a big ass baking oven that's going to be here any minute and I need to have time to get it set up without people whining at me for tea every five minutes," she joked as she finally managed to light up.
"Oh, did you find the box? It should have been right in front on the shelf," she mimed the shape of the small box with her hands.
Alyssa dug in her bag and withdrew the box that she hoped was what Rowan was after.
"Is this it?" she questioned holding it up. "And in answer to your questions, yes I am feeling much better thank you, your tea stuff must have done the trick. I didn't have anymore of it; think I must have passed out the second I got home. And I didn't tell you I had gone home because a certain menace attacked me in the street and that was more on my mind at that point"
Alyssa smiled at Rowan. Her friend was clearly verging on becoming stressed.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Alex studied the connections on her piece of paper.
"Well we've got Ronnie and Roxy as an obvious connection to Danny due to the fact that he is claiming to be their brother. If they've got any sense they will be a bit sceptical about him," she stated.
She switched her attention to the red haired woman outside the door. Alyssa worked with Max.
"Alyssa...Redcliffe. Max Branning's PA. Need information about him and I am betting that she is the person to go to."
She scanned for other possible leads and got none.
"So people we need information from, Glenda, Guv I know you are suspicious about her, however I still think that she's a goldigga, Danny, I don't think he knows anything but he may be useful. Max, I reckon he knows something, or knows his son knows something vital!" she finished and sipped her coffee.
She looked at her colleagues for their verdict on her theory.
"That Ronnie bird sure made it clear she's sceptical," Chris said quietly with a glance at Ray. "If that Danny has got any sense he'd be scared of her," he muttered. "I'll go see if Alyssa will talk to Max, ma'am," Chris offered. "She's Rowan's mate after all." He suddenly chuckled remembering that morning with the water balloons. "Though I expect she'll be having a different sort of conversation with him before she does." He headed for the door, still chuckling.
Gene sat and pondered for a moment. He looked at Alex.
"I want you to talk to your mate, Ronnie. Ask her about that Danny and anything she might want to volunteer. Make sure she understands we're on her side," he cautioned. "I don't think she did it, but it's possible she knows something. I would rather not talk to that Danny," Gene said in a contemplative tone. "He looks a bit high strung to me and I'd rather make him sweat then try to get any talking out of him. This Glenda is another story. We need to find her and have a little chat with the ex-Missus Mitchell," he finished with a cold smile.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Rowan took the smallish box and with a nod.
"Yes, I need some answers and this is a way to get them." She opened the box and pulled out something wrapped in black silk. Rowan unwrapped the black silk revealing a deck of beautifully hand-painted tarot cards, each about the size of her hand. "Momma got her drawing skills from her great-granpapa," Rowan said softly. "He made these cards." She gently stroked them and then flipped the wrapping back around them in a quick gesture and put them back in the box. She tucked the box in her pocket and smoked.
"Do you have a meeting going on in there?" Alyssa wanted to know.
Rowan glanced at the huddle of figures inside at Alyssa's question.
"Oh, that's Chris and his team. They wanted to use the café to discuss some case since it was going to be locked up. I said it was okay as long as they let me alone to take care of business," she grinned wickedly. "Told that big man of Alex's right off."
She began to chuckle and jumped, startled, when the door opened behind her. It was Chris.
"Hey, Ro," Chris said as he came out and closed the door behind him. He looked at Alyssa.
"Can I have a word? It's a bit important? Need to ask a favor."
Alyssa gave Chris a curious look.
"Favour?" she questioned her glance drifting to Rowan looking for answers.
Rowan shrugged at Alyssa's look and looked at Chris.
"Yea," he said, giving Rowan an apologetic glance as he took Alyssa's arm and moved her away a bit.
"Your boss, Max Branning. We, well the Guv, wants you to see if you can get anything out of him about the murder. We're investigating it now but keep that to yourself. Since Bradley was a suspect we're hoping maybe Max knows something the police don't. Will you help?"
Alyssa listened intently. She glanced over Chris' shoulder at Rowan a mischievous smile forming on her face.
"I'll be able to get something out of him," she said her eyes still on Rowan.
She returned her gaze to Chris.
"I'll try."