The dangers of Smoking

Part II

The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?

Chapter 35

Evie had noticed the apparent change in James' mood the minute he opened the door to her. He had withdrawn slightly, was thoughtful. It was something she was getting used to. He could change like this, become introverted almost at times.

He pressed play on the CD and settled his head in Evie's lap and sighed as he felt her start to play with his hair. She didn't speak, but she knew something was bothering him. He'd tell her if he wanted to, if he wanted someone to listen, or her opinion.

He did, and he intended to, he just wondered how to do it without sounding like a 'pompous twat'. It wouldn't be the first time she'd called him that either. Laid back almost to a fault, he'd discovered that she was like a slow cooker, turn the pressure up one notch too much and she'd blow. And she had, a couple of times, once at him over his attitude towards Gordy who she saw as harmless (even if he knew that underneath, she was uncomfortable around him) and if he was honest, he was uncomfortable because basically, he was insecure.

"Lewis told me he and Laura are retiring at Christmas" he finally muttered.

"Mmm?" Evie replied "I think Laura is ready for it"

"She didn't tell you?"

"No" she replied "But then you and Robbie are close, we're not, just work colleagues"

"I suppose" he sighed.

"Will you stay?" Evie asked. He'd sometimes hinted that if Lewis went, then so would he, try a new direction.

"I don't know" he admitted "Before, when he's talked about it, actually done it, I've not wanted to. Wouldn't feel right, we kind of fit, me and Lewis. Both as outdated as each other in some ways"

"You're hardly outdated James" Evie said softly.

"I am though" he refuted "The way I think, the way I go about things. Maybe not outdated, but I do things differently. Everyone expects me to be something else. A fast track detective from Cambridge, I think that they expect me to be more like Innocent. I'm not really"

"That's not a bad thing" Evie protested.

"It might be in the police" he replied "If Lewis goes and I stay, I'll end up with another DI, who thinks I've just walked into a position because I'm a smart arse and don't have a clue what it's like to work the way up"

"You are a smart arse" she chuckled, and he smiled "But you've had to work to get where you are, just because you didn't do years on the beat doesn't mean you don't deserve it. Though of course, I'm biased"

He looked up at her "I should hope so"

"There is always another option" she ventured.

"Promotion?" he correctly deducted "I know, thought about that too. Innocent has put my name forward for an Inspectors course. Without asking I might add"

"Then she must think it's a forgone conclusion" Evie surmised "That you're capable and should you want it, the job is yours"

"But do I want it?" he sighed.

"Do you?"

"I honestly don't know" he frowned "Better position, better money. Less leg work, would give me more time to...well more time"

He didn't want to verbalise just what it would give him more time for, but in the back of his mind he knew. For the future. More money to support someone other than himself, and more time to spend with that person, or people, should the future be agreeable.

"What else would you do?"

"Don't know that either" he laughed softly.

"You have a while to decide" Evie soothed.

"I know" he smiled at her "I just feel like I'm being shoved in one direction, and I'm kind of annoyed about it"

Evie smiled "Having your life arranged for you?"

"Mmm" he agreed, and then sat up "Though thinking on it, didn't work out too badly last time"

Evie gave him that lovely smile, shy and happy and he smiled back.

"Are you staying?" he asked.

"Yes, if you'll have me"

"Silly question" he snorted and lay back down again, closing his eyes and relaxing as her fingers went to work again.

…...

Evie stirred and turned over as she felt James moving beside her.

"Hathaway" she heard him say, assuming his phone must have disturbed her initially, she looked at the clock, 2.15am.

She heard him take in information and give small responses before telling the caller he was on his way and hanging up.

"Work?" she asked, looking up as he sat up.

"Yes, sighting of the Brookes suspect" he replied, and then put a hand on her arm as she started to get out of bed "Stay" he said "No point in ruining your nights sleep as well. I doubt I'll be back before morning, just drop the latch..."

"Oh, well if..." she faltered.

"Yes, I'm sure" he replied, pulling on the clothes he'd stepped out of a few hours earlier "I'd rather you weren't driving around at this time of night on your own"

"Oh, well OK" she smiled at him "Thanks"

He leaned over the bed, kissing her "Goodnight darling" he chuckled before leaving her.

Heading for his car he looked back at his flat, there was someone in there, he realised, someone he felt comfortable leaving there while he wasn't. The someone, that if by some miracle this was a short job, would still be there to welcome him when he came back. The thought made him smile as he started the car.

…...

James found himself outside the Charitable Homeless Shelter, and he checked the address control had given him, it was correct.

"Sighting of a suspect?" he asked the uniformed officer on the door.

"Yes Sir" the PC answered "A disturbance was called in, we attended, it's your suspect Brogan Taloy, so we held him"

"Thank you" James took the steps two at a time.

The building was just as he remembered, and so was Barbara Graham, wringing her hands with a female PC outside her office.

"Mrs Graham" he inclined his head in greeting "We really must meet in better circumstances"

She smiled coyly at his comment, pushing her greying hair back girlishly "We must sergeant" she replied.

"I understand there has been a disturbance?" James asked, looking around.

"Yes sarge" the PC replied "Called in by Mrs Graham, Taloy wanted a bed for the night, but the shelter is full, he barged his way in. He's in the office with Bates, and he's not very cooperative"

"Thanks Suzie" James nodded, and nodded to Barbara before entering the office and closing the door behind him.