Conspiracy Theories

Siân was exhausted as she dialled the number for Tom's mobile phone. She knew there was a good chance he wouldn't believe her but she had to try. She listened to the ringing as Lloyd slept peacefully in the armchair opposite her.

Xxxxx

Tom drove through the Aberystwyth countryside as Mared stared out of the window. He hadn't expected her to react the way she had. Mared was always sensible, controlled and together. To see her so upset, so bitter had shaken him. He frowned slightly, knowing that she had every right to be angry. He knew he had to find out exactly what his senior officer was up to. The phone ringing distracted him.

"It's Siân." Mared answered before answering the call. "Hi, Tom's driving."

"Oh right." Siân ran a hand through her hair as she spoke, unsure what, if anything she should say in to the other woman. "Sorry."

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure if I should say over the phone. Me and Lloyd found something. It might be nothing but I thought you should know." The blonde sounded insecure; not something Mared was used to hearing from the blonde detective.

"Ok, I'll put you on speaker." She held the phone so Tom could hear. Siân's disembodied voice filled the small car.

"Siân, you and Lloyd were sent home to sleep." Tom stated as Mared rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, Lloyd is sleeping. Sir, we've found something out about Evans."

Mared felt her stomach churn. She had no idea the two junior officers were still looking into the case. Tom frowned.

"Go on."

"I'd rather not say on the phone or in the station. We're at my place. It's safer here." Siân just hoped her seniors didn't think she was over reacting.

"Ok." Tom paused. "We're on our way." Mared ended the call before turning to him.

"Do you think they know?"

"About Prosser?" Tom narrowed his eyes. "They are both good detectives. I'd be surprised if they hadn't suspected him."

"But." Mared paused. Tom sighed.

"They're better detectives than me. Plus they were both able to be more objective than me. I was a mess. More so than usual, before you say anything else."

"You? Emotionally involved in a case? Never?" She teased. Tom smiled slightly.

"Mared."

"I know." She touched his hand as it covered the gear stick. "I know." He smiled slightly.

"Will you be ok? Going to Siân's?"

"I've been there before." Mared shrugged. "Yes, I'll be ok. Don't worry so much."

"Sorry." He knew how independent she was. "I just. The thought of you with Evans. With that sick piece of scum."

"I know. But I'm ok. Bruised and battered but they'll heal."' She watched as he stared out of the window. "And I've got my family? I've got you."

"Yeah." He glanced at her. "Yeah, you've got me." She smiled shyly as he spoke. "I meant what I said, you know that?"

"What?"

"I love you."

He spoke so quietly she wasn't sure she had heard him. He glanced in the rear view mirror, suddenly concerned he put his foot on the accelerator.

"I know." She smiled. "You know how I feel about you too?"

"I worry you sick, annoy the hell out of you, stole what should have been your job and generally make your life difficult." He spoke as she nodded. His foot pressing on the accelerator, taking the speed up to the absolute legal speed limit.

"That's true. But I still love you." He swallowed hard, knowing that was the first time she had told him. He couldn't help but smile.

"Slight problem."

"What?"

"We're being followed." He overtook a van from one of the local farms. "That black SUV has been on our tail since we left the station. I thought I was being paranoid."

Mared tried to turn in her seat, wincing as her abused muscles protested at the movement.

"Who is it?"

"I've no idea."

"Why? Why would we be followed?"

"I've no idea. Unless they know we are into Prosser." He swerved as the car got dangerously close, hitting them on the rear of their car, shunting them forwards. Tom swore, struggling to control the vehicle. Moments later the car was forced off the road and sent careening down the embankment to a sickening halt. The SUV stopped for a moment as the driver assessed the carnage below. He was satisfied the problem has been removed before driving away, leaving the occupants of the car to their fate. He returned to the car, pulling his cell phone out and pressing speed dial.

"It's me. It's done."

Ccccc