Undercover - or under the covers?

PC Des Taviner walked slowly up the pathway to the house of Sergeant Sheelagh Murphy.

"I can do this," he muttered to himself. He knocked sharply on the front door. About a minute later he was about to knock again when Patrick Murphy opened the door.

"Des, hello." Patrick greeted Des warmly.

"Hi Patrick. Is Sheelagh in?" Des asked.

"Yeah, come in," Patrick led Des into the sitting room where Sheelagh was talking to a man who looked just a bit younger than Sheelagh. They both looked up when Patrick and Des walked in.

"D'you wanna drink Des?" Patrick asked.

"I've only got a few minutes, but Sheelagh might need a stiff drink after what I've told her."

"Des?" Sheelagh asked.

Des took a deep breath and started. "The Super wants to launch a major undercover operation to catch that violent rapist…"

"Oh," Sheelagh interrupted, "the one that's been targeting pub landladies?"

"Yeah, him. Well, the Super asked me to ask you if you'd be me wife."

"Oh, well it's not something that I've actually ever thought of," Sheelagh said and Des laughed. "What does this undercover thing entail?"

"I don't know, the Super wants us both to go down to the station and talk to him."

"Right. Well I'd better come and see why he wants me to put up with you for an open-ended length of time then." Sheelagh's attempt of humour fell flat.

"Can I come please?" Patrick asked.

Sheelagh and Des looked at each other and Des shrugged. "I don't know, love." Sheelagh answered honestly. "I suppose you could come and see."

The journey to the station was a silent one. Des and Sheelagh were seated in the front of Des's car and Patrick was in the back. When they got to the station they went straight up to the superintendent's office. Waiting for them were the Inspector, Gina Gold and the Super, Adam Okaro.

"Ma'am, Sir," Des started, "is it okay if Patrick Murphy stays?"

"Yes okay. But Patrick," Adam addressed him directly, "anything that is said in this room, stays in this room."

"I understand that." Patrick replied.

"Now then," Adam said, "Sheelagh, Des, I will explain to you what is involved. Then I want you to think, quickly, if you are willing to be involved or not. Okay?"

Sheelagh and Des nodded simultaneously.

"Okay. Well, as you know, we have a serial rapist on the loose who keeps giving us the slip. So I want to set up a pub with two undercover police officers posing as a married couple and more officers as staff. Do you understand?"

Des nodded and asked, "you want us two to be the married couple?"

"If you will."

"Can I talk to Des about it?" Sheelagh asked quietly.

"Of course. We'll wait outside." Adam said. He waved Patrick and Gina out. Sheelagh watched them go out then turned to Des. They didn't say anything, they just stared at each other. Finally Sheelagh spoke.

"If I do this…you will be patient with me, won't you?"

"What d'you mean?" Des was generally confused.

"Well, you've been a copper for longer than I have and I'm a complete pain to live with."

Des grinned, "we'll be fine."

Sheelagh smiled at him and hugged him. The hug took him by surprise but he wrapped his arms round her waist He closed his eyes and tightened his grip around her. Sheelagh pulled away and said.

"I'd better tell Patrick."

They made their way to the door and went out to where Adam, Gina and Patrick were waiting. When they came out, Patrick stepped towards his wife expectantly.

"Patrick…I've decided to do it, if Des is." Sheelagh said.

"Are you doing it Des?" Patrick asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Please look after her."

"Of course."

"Sheelagh," Patrick turned back to her, "if you need anything…" Sheelagh nodded before he could finish.