Chapter 21

He'd stared at the orchid for most of the trip. Katharine's words echoing in his mind. Both about relationships such as theirs having an expiration date and about not leaving it too long. He hoped he hadn't hurt her. She'd been so brave or at least had pretended to be. He would call her in six months no matter what was going on in his life.

His thoughts turned to Laura. In her last letter she'd said she was thinking about leaving Oxford. She hadn't said why. He wondered if it was another job or possibly a significant other. It occurred to him asking her out might be a moot point. She might not even be in Oxford. She might not even be available.

He stared out the window as the plane circled the English countryside. He was in a better place mentally than when he'd left. Some was as a result of time passing, the rest was down to Katharine. Helping her, caring for her had helped him. Her words about there being an adjustment period worried him. Things would have changed, they had changed before he left. Would the changes be for the good or simply change?

As he cleared the secure area with the trolley carrying the few things he'd brought back with him, he saw a young man with a rather fanciful rendering of his name Lewis. There was something insolent about the young man, "Are you for me?"

"I am if you're Inspector Lewis, Oxfordshire Police?"

"Well I am, but I never ordered a taxi."

"Well you're in luck sir because I'm not one." Holding up his warrant card, "DS James Hathaway, Chief Superintendent Innocent sent me."

Nodding, "Very good of her."

Something unpleasant crossed James' face, "Yeah, shall we?"

He bent to pick up Robbie's luggage when a pretty young woman with an island accent touched Robbie's arm, "Mr. Lewis, you left them on board.

She handed him the beautiful orchids, "So I did. Thank you, thanks so much."

"No problem."

James looked at the flowers with disdain, "Orchids?"

Robbie bent over, tucking the flowers into his bag, "Yeah, they grow wild."

"How long were you on attachment sir?"

"Two years."

"Nice work if you can get it."

Yawning, Robbie covered his mouth, "Suppose so. Alright then, home James. I've always wanted to say that. But we need to make a quick detour."

He placed the orchid on her grave, clearing away a few stray leaves. It wasn't as hard as he'd imagined it would be. A mixture of the happy memory of Katharine giving him the orchid, thinking about nothing but his happiness, combined with the inherent sadness of visiting Val's grave. Somehow the conflicting emotions coalesced into a sense of peace.

Looking over his shoulder, he could see the young DS, James. He was getting more annoyed the longer Robbie stayed. One last lingering touch to her gravestone and he stood. He had to hide his smile at the look of sheer relief which crossed James' face.

As they pulled up to the crime scene, he could feel excitement coursing through him. This was better than going straight to the new Chief Super's office. Sure it was just a delay but he would take it.

As they walked up, his heart stopped when Laura walked toward them. The smile on her face suggested she might be as happy to see him as he was to see her.

Closing the distance between them, her smile deepened, "Ahhh, the wanderer returns."

He wasn't sure what to call her. In their letters they'd simply been Laura and Robbie. Noticing a look of interest on James' face he opted to keep it professional, "Hello doctor."

"Oi, can you turn down the volume on that shirt?"

He smiled to himself. Clearly Katharine wasn't the only one who didn't like his shirts. He made a mental note to buy new ones. "It's good to see you."

Smiling even more, making her nose crinkle she looked up at him. "You too." She turned to James, "Good morning Sergeant."

James smiled tightly, unused to this chipper medical examiner. "Dr. Hobson."

Laura turned, walking toward the crime scene, "So what have we got?"

James tried to hand a package to Robbie, "Scene suit sir."

"I'll pass thanks."

Laura fought a smile. This was one of her changes. Trying to keep the cheeky DIs and DSs from contaminating her scenes. Looking back at him, "They're all the rage these days. You'd better."

He looked at her, to gauge her seriousness. Her expression didn't change. Rolling his eyes, he reached out to James, "Give it here then."

James smiled, wondering what strange hold Dr. Hobson had over the Inspector. As they turned to head into the building he reached for her case. For a brief moment, their fingers touched. He was pleased when she didn't pull away, in fact, she smiled up at him as he took the case.