Chapter 42
The Comfort of Home
0300 – Hereford, UK
Elvis never gave a second thought to the fact that he had been up for twenty-four hours straight because he had to make certain everything was in order. He rubbed the back of his neck however, walking into the spare bedroom, eyeing the monitors that seemed to beckon his scrutiny. It was 0300 hours on a Saturday morning. Whilst most of Hereford was asleep he was anticipating the arrival of his wife. The occasion was bitter sweet though. He could not wait to see her, but at the same time, desperately hoped that he had made the right decision in bringing her back home.
He was clad in dark jeans and black tee shirt with a loaded Glock 17 secured inside a shoulder holster. His eyes appeared darker in the dim light and promised absolutely no compromise. He was ready for action…but prayed it would not have to come to that. He sighed deeply, wondering if indeed he was being paranoid? Other than this new propane issue his superiors seemed to reckon it was time to move on. If there was a surplus of the gas, where was it? No one mentioned any traces being found in Evan's car. Elvis made a mental note to inquire about that, but for now, he waited for Georgie to check in with her estimated arrival time. She, Marco and Geno were en route to Hereford. Elvis looked at his watch.
0330 -
Georgie anxiously peered out the van windshield. Everything she could see ahead of them was familiar. The welcoming sights made her heartbeat escalate…..she was almost home. She rapidly sent Elvis a text letting him know she was under ten minutes away.
"Shake a leg will ya." He texted back and she laughed.
Elvis watched the car park surveillance video…..his breaths quickening as he anticipated the sight of the van. He felt like he won the Lotto Jackpot when he finally saw Marco pull in and maneuver the vehicle so that the rear was near the building entrance. Elvis donned a jacket to conceal his weapon and bolted out the door to greet them.
Georgie gathered her belongings and nibbled on her lower lip as she waited for the back door to open. Manny's senses detected the change in events and his tail drummed against her leg. She smiled and patted his back. "You be a good boy. Georgie has to go." She heard voices outside and then the back door opened…
His smile…..the one that always captured her heart was the first thing she saw. Her eyelids fluttered as her smile widened. "Hi !" She said happily.
"Hi!" Elvis said reaching in to help her down. Was it his imagination or was her bump larger?
"Careful." He said as she stepped down. Geno reached in to extract her belongings.
"Wait a second. Let me take that one." She said indicating a soft-sided cooler.
"Here." Elvis said gesturing to take it from her as he wrapped his other arm around her moving them forward. Manny began to whine and let out a forlorn bark which Marco quickly attempted to subdue. "Let's get inside." Elvis said and the threesome were soon from sight. Manny ambled to the front passenger seat and looked around as if he was now taking command.
"Geno's gonna chase you off." Marco said. The Doberman looked at him and began to pant heavily as if laughing at the notion he would be forced to vacate his position. Marco scratched him behind the ears. "Good dog." He said whilst checking the rear and side-view mirrors for anything amiss.
"I reckon that's everything." Geno said placing both of Georgie's bags on the floor.
"Thanks." Elvis said.
"Yes. Thank you Geno." Georgie said hugging her cousin-in-lase then taking the small cooler from Elvis and placing it on the kitchen table.
"It's all good Elvis?" Geno asked as Elvis stripped away his jacket revealing the intimidating holstered weapon.
"All is well cugino. I am indebted to you and Marco." He responded. "You blokes know where you're headed?"
"Yeah. Of course Marco found a pet friendly B & B."
Georgie grinned. "Well Manny needs a place to bunk down properly."
"That's right. The two persons are just along for shits and sunshine." Geno said lightly.
Georgie released an amused laugh as she gazed at Elvis. She wanted nothing more right now than for him to take her in his arms. The gold flecks in his brown eyes seemed to twinkle as their eyes met.
"I will give you boys a ring later this afternoon." Elvis said. Geno knew the couple wanted to be together and it had been a long ride for Georgie.
"Sounds good." Geno said.
"Thank you again. Grazie mille." Elvis said embracing him robustly.
"Prego. Famiglia, si?"
"Si."
Xxxxx
Georgie walked around the flat once Geno parted, taking everything in. It felt so good to be home. She noticed Elvis watching her with an infatuated smile on his face and she extended her arms to him.
"I need one of your special hugs." She said and he easily obliged, wrapping his arms around her, careful not to press against her bump.
"Nothin in the world feels the same without you in it." He said softly, petting her long hair, inhaling her fragrant scent.
"I am so glad to be home." She said rubbing a cheek against his hard chest.
"Is 'at wha' I reckon it is?" He asked, eyeing the small cooler on the table.
Georgie grinned. "What? The cooler?"
"Yeah."
"Indeed it is." She said squeezing him lovingly.
"You are amazing George."
"They need to thaw."
"At's alright. I can wait out a bit longer. Ahh babe, we'll be signin the contract Monday." He said huskily, rubbing a cheek against her head.
She gripped him even tighter, the Glock pressing against her, reminding her of all the times they would steal away together whilst on active duty. Those encounters were minimal but well worth the risk they took just to share their passion with each other.
Their frontal body armor maddingly separating them. Elvis' pistol and magazines pressing into her until they both ripped everything off and away. Georgie would unzip his top and snake her hands in around his middle as he peeled her top down off her shoulder, burying his face in the crook of her neck, migrating kisses to those special places that made her coo with delight…..
Georgie now tilted her head back and reached up to pull his face down to her. They both shuddered as their mouths met. She believed nothing could separate them now. No one would destroy their happiness.
Xxxxx
1100 –
Elvis slowly turned the doorknob and hesitantly peeked in to find his Georgie asleep. It was as if she never moved since she took to the bed. He quietly pulled back and meticulously closed the door, wincing as the latch clicked. He walked away, briskly rubbing his face with both hands and rolling his shoulder in an attempted to relax. He was glad she was resting. He should be as well. Instead, he chuckled to himself and plopped in his chair. It was quiet. The last time he checked the monitors there was nothing. He could hear neighbors going in and out of the building. It all seemed like any normal weekend activity. Was he really just being paranoid? As he stared into those thoughts his mobile rang. With a frustrated grunt he answered.
"Harte."
"Elvis! Dave Warner here."
Elvis slowly sat forwards. "Sir?"
"Thought you would want to know. Forensics discovered trace amounts of propane inside of Evan's vehicle."
Elvis wheezed out a laugh. "Dave, for fuck's sake I was wonderin about 'at earlier."
"No cylinders mind, but he must have been transporting it at some point. Authorities are scouring the area around the river bank. Perhaps he dumped the remainder in the river and that is how he went over."
"Then he must 'ave blown Pettigrew to bits." Elvis said, running a hand through his hair.
"It would seem. Time for you to relax and get on. Georgie make it home?"
"Yes sir. We're good. Thank you. Let me know if anything else turns up."
"There is not going to be anything else Elvis."
"No further activity on the Midge Drake…"
"Elvis! Have you gotten any texts?"
"Negative."
"Then drop it." Warner said punctuating each word.
"Yes sir."
"Get some rest. Spend time with your wife."
Elvis stared at his phone once the call ended, then he fell back against the cushioned back rest. He would never admit he was knackered….but he was. Spend time with your wife. He took in a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly, willing the tension away from him. Now he and Georgie could both unwind today and share Sunday together. Monday they would be taking a giant step in their lives. The cottage will be theirs. Elvis began to drift off, seeing the joy on Georgie's face when she had discovered he was looking at homes for them. As his relaxation deepened he saw the images of their unborn son and how real and active he is in Georgie's womb. He imagined hearing the tiny voice calling him papa for the very first time…..with a peaceful smile now curling his lips….Elvis fell sound asleep,
