"Okay, I will ask her to meet us after work Sir but I tell you, she has a boyfriend."
"I never said anything," Humphrey insisted.
"Not much. You have never stopped going on about her since she left yesterday. If you don't mind me saying Sir, she will not be happy when she comes back. She will be back, I'm sure of it, the judge will take her side."
"Too right Camille," Dwayne joined in. "Why would anyone believe that the suspect was being brainwashed?"
Camille had to smile. She knew that Torchwood had some rather unorthodox methods and she wished now it had been her in with Rose and Jake instead of it being Dwayne. Then she had an idea.
"Dwayne, why don't you offer to go with Rose tomorrow?" she asked him. "You can be a witness that nothing like Holmes is complaining about ever took place."
"I get you Camille," Dwayne grinned. "I say all they were doing was talking between the two of them, trying to figure out what had taken place."
"That was what I was trying to say," Camille told him. "If you were there, it's you and Rose against Holmes and since he's been charged with murder and kidnapping?"
"Very good Camille," Humphrey told her. "Still, as soon as this is sorted, she'll be leaving, right?"
Camille felt sorry for him if he'd taken the job just because Rose was here. He was going to be very disappointed. Rose got ready to go to an early dinner then walked to Catherine's bar, Catherine greeting her.
"Rose, I was sorry to hear your departure was delayed. Camille told me you want to join Alec as soon as you could. What does the suspect think he is doing?" Catherine asked her.
Rose hoped Camille hadn't discussed too much with her mother. Camille had seen her and waved her over to join the others. Humphrey was the only male to stand and offer her his seat. Camille rolled her eyes at him as Rose was sitting down and he mouthed a 'What?' at her.
"Settling in your hotel Rose?" Camille asked her as one of the serving staff brought her a drink since Catherine had got delayed.
"Sorry I'm a bit late. Yeah, it's nice enough and it's only until I can get arranged to go home. I told Alec to call me later, I keep forgetting about the time difference. He goes for his pre-op tomorrow, he'll get to know if he can have his surgery."
"What surgery is that?" Humphrey asked her, sipping from his bottle of beer.
"He needs a pacemaker," Rose told him. "Didn't you hear about him, Alec Hardy?"
"Well yes, I knew who was here and he'd been ill, that's why I'm here, his assignment was only temporary. I don't get why they chose him though," Humphrey told her.
"It was short notice and Alec was free. Why? Do ya think I asked for him to come here?" Rose asked him.
Camille gave her a warning look, wondering if Rose was trying to get herself fired even though they were off duty.
"I was not suggesting such a thing but I was just saying that sending someone with a heart condition here in this heat is a little strange," he replied.
"Well he managed and he's gone home - to find us a place to live in Broadchurch. Camille, can I talk to you?" Rose asked her friend.
"Ah, come and dance Rose," Dwayne told her, getting up.
"Leave her Dwayne, Rose just misses Alec. Let's go over here," Camille told her, pointing to an empty table by the water. Once seated, Camille continued. "Is it about Alec?" she asked.
"Yeah, I was just talking to him. Pete had asked him to go stay with them but he doesn't want to and I'm worried about him. Now I'm stuck here thanks to that moron," Rose told her.
"Alec will be fine, don't worry so much Rose. I have to tell you this though, you may not still get back any sooner," Camille told her.
"I know, I have to hand notice in on the villa and get some stuff sent back home plus book a flight. Then the commissioner asked me to stay until he gets a replacement," Rose replied.
"That may not be your only problem," Camille admitted, looking over at Humphrey as he sat on his own. "I think he came here because he wanted to meet you Rose, he's been asking questions all day. Even if the court clears you to leave, he may object to the commissioner and delay things."
"He can't do that Camille, I won't let him. I'll just walk out if I have to even though I wanted to do it properly. I'll get Pete involved, get him to recall me as a Torchwood agent."
"Rose, it may not come to that. I was just trying to warn you he may make it difficult for you. Just keep talking about Alec, maybe he will get the message?" Camille smiled, raising her bottle towards Humphrey.
"Maybe you can distract him?" Rose smiled back.
She had talked to Alec for a while after calling him back and he'd just told her he planned on getting through the pre-op and delay the surgery until she could get back.
"I want you to promise you won't make yourself worse Alec," she had told him.
"I promise Rose but I would rather wake up with you there than your friend Jake," he had replied.
Rose took the hint from Camille to cheer herself up and had gone to join them on the tiny dance floor but Humphrey had taken advantage and had also joined them. Rose went to sit down and he followed her.
"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself Rose," he noted.
"You could say that, I miss my boyfriend," Rose replied. "I think I'm gonna get a cab back to the hotel, I have a meeting with the judge in the morning."
"Yes, I know. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you Rose but you know you have to wait for a suitable replacement?" he asked her.
Rose was about to ask him how long that was going to take when she got the general idea. He was planning on taking his time. If that was going to be the case, he could forget her agreeing to stay.
"That depends on what the judge has to say. I can make my arrangements while you find someone or is that gonna be difficult?" she dared asked.
"That's not a fair question Rose," he replied. "You will be difficult to replace, with you also being a Torchwood agent. I did my homework on you all before I left," Humphrey admitted.
Rose thought more like he'd done his homework on her.
"Yeah, well my stepfather made me a full agent again, he could recall me when he wants, it takes priority over my duties as a police officer. It was part of the deal he made with the commissioner."
That was something Humphrey didn't know, Rose thought, hoping Pete had indeed mentioned that when she'd taken the job. If not, she was going to ask Pete when she called him after getting out of court the next day.
"So where are you staying?" Humphrey was asking her. "Camille said you had your own place? I mean you must have had if Alec Hardy was staying with you? Is that how you got together?"
"Is this an interrogation Sir?" Rose replied, getting her phone out to call for a cab since she didn't feel like walking back.
"Sorry, just curious. Don't mind me eh?" he asked as Camille came back.
"Oh, are you leaving?" Camille asked as she sat down and looked at her new boss, suspecting he was the reason.
"Yeah, I need to talk to Alec again since I told him I'd be late meeting you. I'll see you tomorrow hopefully but after the hearing, I need to talk to the commissioner."
Humphrey was hoping it wasn't going to be about him. He was sure Rose was already onto him, why when he'd been approached for the job had looked up the officers already here and had seen Rose's name. He had hoped it would be a rather good way of getting over his recent divorce from his wife Sally. Now maybe he'd come here for nothing if she'd got herself hooked up with Alec Hardy, whom he'd also read up about. Still, she'd not left yet but he'd been unhappy the suspect had caused her to be suspended.
"See you tomorrow then, Dwayne will come over to the court and speak on your behalf, to say he was there and nothing untoward took place," Camille told her.
"Thanks, that might help," Rose told Dwayne as he came back.
"No problem Rose, Holmes will not get away with it," Dwayne told her.
Humphrey got up as Rose did. "It was nice to meet you properly Rose, come back to work once you're cleared."
"Yeah, thanks, sorry I was a bit off, I just want to get home, to Alec."
Rose went off to the waiting cab, Camille giving Humphrey a warning look.
"I told you," was all she said as he watched Rose drive off.
Dwayne and JC looked at him.
"What?" Humphrey asked again.
Dwayne shook his head and went to get some more drinks, making JC go with him.
"Why did you bring me with you?" JC asked him as they stood at the bar.
"What do you think?" Dwayne replied.
"You mean the new inspector likes Rose and she's in love with Hardy?"
Dwayne patted his shoulder. "I think Camille is going to put him straight then it's up to him."
"Why were you looking at me like that Camille?" Humphrey asked her as the other two left.
"Sir, I mean Humphrey, can I give you some advice?"
"I have a feeling you're going to," he replied, seeing Dwayne and JC talking to Camille's mother and looking their way.
"Rose has been here just over six months and all that time, she was never interested in men, residents or tourists until he came along. She offered to let him stay with her and within two days, they were taken with each other. Trust me, she is going back home to join him whether you try and keep her here or not."
"You think I will try and delay her leaving any further?" he asked her, wishing the other two would come back with another drink.
"Yes, I think that is what you are intending and she will leave, one way or another," Camille told him.
"She already told me that Camille. You think I came here because I found out she was here?" he asked her.
"I think that is exactly why you came here. Am I right?"
Humphrey thought now someone was onto him, he had best let Rose leave when the commissioner found a replacement - whether he liked it or not.
Rose got back to her room. It was quite spacious and air-conditioned and there was only one thing wrong Alec wasn't there. It seemed a bit late to be calling Alec, who had been to sit in the bar because he'd promised Rose he would try not to be alone but since he was contemplating taking a caravan the next day after he got back from the hospital he didn't think it would make that much difference.
"Care to tell me where you've been then?" Becca tried asking him.
"Do you not follow the news?" he asked back. "I was called to a case on a Caribbean island, a British police officer was killed."
"No way? What happened?" Becca asked him, going to sit opposite since he was the only one left.
Alec thought his first sentence had just about summed it up. Becca took the hint he couldn't or wouldn't talk about it.
"How long are you staying?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I have a hospital appointment tomorrow, after that, I will be looking for somewhere to rent. I am expecting someone to join me," he told her, knowing he was going to regret it.
"You met someone there?" Becca smiled.
"Yes, she is waiting to come back, she was working there and has to wait to be replaced. That is why I need to rent somewhere for when she does come back."
"Right. You could always bring her here, for now?" Becca offered.
Alec shook his head. "I may remain myself until I know she is coming back, I had the offer of going to stay with her family once I know she is returning. I may just take them up on it."
"Well call down if you need anything, I take it you've not got yourself fixed yet?" Becca asked him.
"That is why I go to the hospital tomorrow, to see if I can go ahead, the unexpected trip gave me a reason to actually attend."
Try as they might, neither of them could sleep, Rose because she was worried she might have to remain on the island because of that moron and now, the new DI seemed intent on also keeping her around. If he was going to play games with her, she wasn't in the mood for them in the slightest and if she had to, she would now get her stepfather involved.
Alec tossed and turned, reaching out to the empty space where Rose should have been. In all his years, he had never fallen for anyone as fast as he'd fallen for her and still couldn't understand how it had happened. He knew she was due at the court at nine so since he was awake, he sent a message for her to call him, something they'd agreed on to save him paying for the call.
Rose never woke when her message tone sounded, not that she had really slept that much and it was only just after seven when she woke up and saw she had a message.
"Hey Alec, sorry, I didn't hear I had a message. Are you okay?" she asked when he answered rather sexily with an "Hello darlin'."
"I just missed you Rose, I would not like you to sleep in when you are due at the court. Nervous?" he asked.
"Nah, that moron needn't think he's gonna keep me on the island any longer than I need to be here but I have another problem the new inspector."
"In what way? Rose, is he going to make things difficult for you? If so, you should tell your stepfather. Rose love, I have to go, to my appointment but I will call you when I get back. I just wanted you to know I was missing you."
"Yeah, I miss you too, don't be late for it. Send me a message when you get out and Alec, if they give you a date, go for it, don't wait for me coming back," Rose told him, wishing this was all over.
"Rose, they may give me a choice of dates and I will pick the latest one to give you time. You tell that new inspector he had better not keep you from leaving or he will have to deal with me."
Rose had every intention of doing so once she was cleared to resume her post but first, she would go plead her case with the commissioner and see if he was aware Torchwood business took priority over her duties as a police officer. She just had time to call Pete, who was trying to be sympathetic.
"Sorry love but when you took that job, you were put on standby and even though I reinstated you, your duties on the island come first. I regret not insisting Torchwood took priority but I saw no need, it was what you wanted," Pete apologised.
"Yeah, I get it Dad, you only reinstated me to cover what me and Jake did and I'm grateful for that."
"Rose, if I'd known you'd want to leave, I would have made that clear to the commissioner but don't get yourself fired over it, will you? It won't look good on your CV," he tried to joke.
"I suppose you have a point? Well Holmes is not gonna win and that new inspector's not gonna keep me here either. Don't tell Alec but me and Camille think he took the job because I was here," Rose confided in him.
"Really? Maybe Alec did the same?" he mused.
"I don't think so Dad, he hardly had time to think about it but DI Goodman had a week to look it up and who worked here and he could have said no to it. He's just got divorced and if he thinks he's found a replacement for his ex, he's got another thing coming."
Pete had to laugh. "Good luck love and don't worry about Alec, he'll be taken care of, I promise. I spoke with Owen about him and he'll make sure Alec gets the best heart surgeon at any hospital he chooses. I see him tomorrow, I'll try and get him to come back with me though your mother might just take over."
"I can imagine. Well, I'd best get ready and see what happens. Dwayne's gonna speak up for me to say me and Jake were just talking amongst ourselves and never actually asked Holmes anything."
"Just tell them what happened Rose, you have nothing to worry about," Pete tried to assure her.
"Yeah, except I might not be back for Alec's surgery and another DI who has his eye on me. Can you find out anything about him? His name's Humphrey Goodman."
"I'll get Jake onto it but he's going to DI Poole's funeral later. They brought it forward since they're having a cremation."
Rose went down to breakfast as Alec was making his way to the hospital, having ordered a taxi. Everything was going well, he found the right department and waited his turn then was asked to go get a blood test, seeing the waiting time and walking back out, bumping into the specialist in the corridor.
"I can't wait in there, have you seen the waiting time?" he asked her.
"I understand your concern Alec but it has to be done. Go back to pre-op and tell them, they should have done it there for you," she told him as a nurse was trying to rush her.
"I can tell them that you said that?" he asked, not fancying being told not to be a baby and go and wait.
"Yes, tell them. I really have to go now and if your symptoms get worse, call your local GP."
He had just been told by her that no dates were yet available and he would receive an appointment but he'd had to put down he was staying at the hotel and insisted they called him first. He didn't really want to take advantage of Pete's offer but it looked like he didn't have that much choice, since he'd promised Rose he would get it arranged before she came back.
Now he was worried the court wouldn't let her leave just yet and when they did, she had felt obliged to stay until she could be replaced. He now hoped that wasn't going to be long.
Rose arrived at the courthouse, seeing Dwayne waiting for her.
"Thanks for this Dwayne," she told him when she got out of her car.
"No worries Rose, I'll just tell them you were talking with Jake. Does your stepfather know?" he asked.
"Yeah, he knows. Come on, my solicitor will want to talk to me first."
Both solicitors and the commissioner were waiting inside for her to arrive. The commissioner had been to see Holmes's solicitor the day before and had asked what had brought all this on.
"I have to follow my client's wishes Selwyn," he'd been told.
"I appreciate that but Sergeant Tyler as you have been told was not intimidating your client, she was merely talking about the case with her colleague, she was not even on duty at the time."
"That's not the point, she was discussing the case and implying my client was the perpetrator of the crime. What about the officer that was present?"
"Officer Myers was there to prevent Holmes from trying to escape Clive, nothing more. You know about Torchwood, how they are a law unto themselves? They would not however break their own laws and rules."
"Even so Selwyn, my client felt intimidated by them," Mr Thomas told him.
"Then he must have something to feel intimidated about," the commissioner had suggested.
So now, they were waiting for Rose and Dwayne to arrive and the two solicitors from rival firms were keeping quiet after they had not so friendly greeted each other.
"So you're representing Sergeant Tyler then Stephen?" Mr Thomas asked him.
"Yes, I heard you were defending Holmes Clive but what does he hope to gain by all this?"
"That will become clear when we see the judge. I hear it's Judge Bates, he's not a big fan of these petty squabbles so it shouldn't take long. I will argue for Sergeant Tyler to disclose what she and her fellow Torchwood agent hoped to gain by discussing the case in front of my client, that they were playing mind tricks to get a confession."
"Come on Clive," Mr Jenkins told him as the commissioner had arrived. "They have him and both you and your client know it. He did attempt to hold Sergeant Tyler hostage to get off the island and he need not have returned. Have you asked him what that was, how he came to return to the island in the first place?"
"That's between my client and myself. He knew they were questioning him as Torchwood agents, they made sure he knew but he had no knowledge at the time of how they operate. He told me how it made him feel."
As the commissioner had just joined them, Mr Jenkins thought he had best not reply by stating it made Holmes feel guilty and that he'd been caught fair and square.