"Ma'am!" Sheelagh called across the corridor and jogged up to her inspector. "Can I talk to you about the assault case?"
"Yes, of course. Come into my office." Gina Gold showed her through the throng of people to the office. Sheelagh shut the door behind her and Gina indicated to the seat opposite her and they both sat down. "So what happened?"
"I visited the victim, Mr. Patrick Murphy, in hospital and he described his attacker. Could I take the laptop?" Sheelagh explained.
"Does the description ring any bells with you?" Gina asked.
"Yeah I think it could be Harry Bells."
"Oh. Okay. When do you need the laptop?"
"Tomorrow. I'll write up my notes today."
"Okay. How long is left of your shift?"
"An hour."
"Okay. Off you go."
Sheelagh left the Inspector's office and went across into her own, where she finished all her paperwork that she had at that time. She looked at the clock and realised that she'd done half-an-hour overtime. Gina knocked on the door and went in.
"You still here?" she asked her Irish sergeant.
"I didn't realise I'd worked overtime ma'am!" Sheelagh answered honestly.
"Oh, that's a new one."
"It's the truth ma'am."
"Yeah, I know." Gina sat down so she was facing Sheelagh. "Are you okay?" Gina liked Sheelagh and was concerned.
"Yes thank you ma'am. Why'd you ask?"
"Well, you seem, more involved in your work all of a sudden. And Des seems……distracted a lot of the time."
"We've had an argument, that's all ma'am."
"Okay. But if you do want to talk, you can talk to me."
"Thanks ma'am." Sheelagh smiled her appreciation. "I'm off."
"Yeah. Me too. Come on." They left the office together and walked along to the changing rooms.
Sheelagh finished getting changed before Gina and said goodbye and walked out of the front office. As she walked out a car pulled up beside her and her husband of ten years opened the passenger door to allow her to get in. The short car journey to their flat was completely silent of conversation.
They entered their flat and went through into the living room. Des flopped down on the couch and sighed. He looked at his wife and opened his arms out to her. Sheelagh sat down next to him and allowed him to pull her into a warm embrace. They stayed like that for about ten minutes in silence. Sheelagh was about to doze off when Des pushed her off of him gently and stood up.
"Do you want a drink?" He asked.
"Yes please." Sheelagh answered tiredly. She curled up on the sofa as Des went into the kitchen. She closed her eyes and the next thing she knew was Des shaking her awake with a cup of hot tea in his hand. Sheelagh yawned and sat up. She took the coffee off of him.