Catherine's

It had been a long day for the Saint Marie Police force. Although the odd piece of evidence popped up here and there, the team felt they weren't even close to solving the case yet.

"Well, I don't think we're going to get any further today, guys, maybe we should call it a day." Neville said while looking at the whiteboard. All that he could see was a jumble of images and words in his mind with nothing linking up, but he was determined to solve this case - in fact - he knew he could solve the case, especially with the help of his new team. He ended his thought process with a big sigh. "Anyone for drinks?"

Jane lit up at the sound of that, as she had always wanted to meet the woman herself, Catherine. From the stories Jack Mooney had told her back in London, Jane knew that she was an extraordinary person.

"I'll come, sir!" Naomi exclaimed, hoping to get some fresh drinks to cool her down.

"I'll come too!" Marlon added, also hoping to get out of the confines of the oven that is the police station.

"Jane? Are you coming?" Neville said with a smile.

"We'd love for you to come!" Naomi added, trying to reassure Jane that she was seen as part of the team.

"Yes, I would be honoured to have a drink with you guys!" Jane replied with a grin, getting up from her desk.

"Alright, let's go!" The inspector said while collecting his bag and walking to the door.

ooo

The sea was magical, a bright blue that the sun sparkled on. The sweet sounds of the waves against the soft sands were a brilliant way to calm you after a stressful day. Jane rested her hand on her face, taking in the smell of the delicious food that was brought into the hut. The atmosphere was gentle at Catherine's bar, a place you could have deep conversations while also consuming refreshing drinks. A perfect place, Jane thought. Somewhere she could see herself spending a lot of her time during her stay. The hut the team sat at was separate from the bar itself, it sat on the sand, open to the beautiful oceans of Saint Marie. You could sit at the bar if wanted, to talk to the bar owner herself, Catherine Bordey. Which Jane wanted to take full advantage of.

A tall woman dressed in a colourful dress walked over to the group with drinks in her hands. "I heard we had a new officer on the team!" She broadcasted with her thick French accent, excited to know the history of the island was forever changing.

"This is officer Jane Johnson and Jane, this is Catherine." Neville replied, introducing the pair. "She's actually the Mayor of the island!"

"Hello, Mayor, I've heard great things about you!" Jane said, with a sparkle in her eye, while offering her hand.

"Catherine, please, you must tell me more about it at the bar. You should come with me once I serve these other customers." She smiled, shaking Jane's hand back.

"Of course!" Jane rejoiced.

ooo

Catherine and Jane sat at the small bar, chatting away. "So you're a Mayor who owns a bar? You must be off your feet!" Jane exclaimed.

"Ah, oui, I'm a very busy person, but I've run the bar for so many years, I could never give it up." She said while looking around, reminiscent of her memories there. "So, tell me, you work with Jack?" She added, curious to know how he'd been getting on.

"Yes I do, he's a lovely man. I honestly feel so lucky to work with DI Mooney. He talks about this place a lot, you know. Sounds like he had a great time here."

"He did, he came here all the time. I think he used this as a second police station, always discussing cases with his team. Work never finished for him, he was a very hard-working person. Such a kind and warm man too." Catherine replied with her hands clasped together.

"You two sounded close." Jane said gently.

"We were, I miss him a lot. I almost thought we would... you know."

"Get together?" Jane said, surprised.

"Yes, but eventually he met someone else, but I still think about him from time to time." Catherine explained while looking down and trailing her finger along the counter.

Jane looked at Catherine, seeing that she was a little sad. "This place is really beautiful, Catherine, and so are you. I know one day you'll find your perfect person." She said, placing her hand onto Catherine's for comfort.

Catherine smiled, "Thank you, Jane, I can see why you and Jack worked well together."

They both sat together, sharing the moment, just admiring the scenery. Jane had always heard stories about Catherine, and she was happy to know that she was just as sweet as she seemed in her mind.

"Was there anyone before Jack, who worked here?" Jane said out of curiosity. "I know there was at least one other person."

"Three!" Catherine exclaimed, realising she had a moment to muse about the previous Inspectors. Catherine had been on the island for years, seeing everybody come and go. She liked knowing that she was one of the few people to experience this history, and she grew close to many of the people who came to her bar.

"Really? Wow! I presume one of them was... erm... oh! What was his name again?"

"Humphrey! Also a kind soul, although, he was a little clumsy at times." She chuckled.

"Ah, yes, I think I remember Sir telling me they did a case together and then did a kind of exchange program."

"Yes, I heard they worked well together, I was surprised that when the case was over, Humphrey wasn't the one to come back! But he had met someone too, that seems to have become a pattern here among the Inspectors." Catherine pointed out.

Catherine liked Humphrey a lot, he was a bit of a mess, but she liked that about him. He wasn't like the typical English man, Humphrey was laid back - much like Jack - and jelled well with the island. Catherine had seen him blossom with his 'holiday romance' which changed into an actual relationship, which she hopes turns into a marriage set on the island. She was a hopeless romantic, really, and liked seeing the inspectors find love, even actively encouraging it sometimes.

"So tell me about the other Inspector before him, he met someone too, no doubt?" Jane said with innocents.

"Ah..." Catherine paused, unsure of how to approach the subject with this particular Detective. "Richard was a bit more complicated... It's hard to explain."

Although not her fault, Jane realised she had gone a little too far. "No, no, It's okay, I don't want to pry." She said, making sure she didn't step on any toes.

"My daughter, Camille, had a thing for him. It didn't end as she expected, let's just say." She added on. Catherine was vague with her answer, not knowing if she should ever reveal what happened to Richard Poole.

It was tragic and unexpected, which shook the whole island. It was heart-breaking to see her daughter lose someone so close to her. Richard was a stereotypical police officer, uptight and proper, but he had been growing to the island. Catherine had always wished that Camille and Richard got together, even though she despised him sometimes - like the time Richard had critiqued her chicken soup quite harshly.

"I see..." Jane was curious, but stuck to her word of not prying.

"Richard was very... English, like Neville." She scoffed. "Oh, the English! They never change. I do worry about them, though."

Jane giggled. "Well, I'm glad I've been able to work with DI Parker, he's very understanding. The commissioner actually put us in the same bloody accommodation! It's... a bit weird to live with your boss."

"Roommates!" Catherine howled, clapping her hands together. "I'm glad, Neville needs someone nice to live with. He's been a bit lonely, recently."

"Oh?" Jane said, knowing that Catherine had maybe overshared a bit.

"He's a bit bruised, he had a thing for a girl who had to leave the island... a good friend is what he needs right now." She added on.

Jane wasn't sure if she wanted to know about the personal life of her new boss, it felt... inappropriate - but she wanted to help Catherine not worry about the inspector so much. "Well, I think we've got on well so far, I think we will become friends, even if I'm only here temporarily." She smiled, trying to comfort the Mayor.

"Good!" Catherine declared. "Shall we give everyone the drinks now? I'm getting you my special."

"Yes, let's!" Jane replied, excited to try a Caribbean drink.

"I'll let you try the local food later, I'm sure it will give you a nice kick." She said, knowing full well this will make Jane explode with heat.