Hi All! Thanks for coming back and checking out this next update. I hope you are well and I hope you enjoy! - Sevy14


My bath was hot and I loved how it felt to have the hotness sizzle on my skin as I soaked. I let my mind wander from last night and the wonder I had for the case that Shine and his men was working as well as look forward to seeing my Mother. Last night my thoughts had wandered to her and while I had wrote much about the man that is Detective Inspector Shine as a husband compared to the rumors and I had heard over the years about him as a famed policeman in the Orient, in the ring, and of course, in closing cases. I still wondered if it were he that my Father had owed money to and if he had used that debt to secure me as his wife. I had contemplated broaching the subject with him but knew that it would be unlikely that I would be brave enough to do that, ever.


I had dressed and returned back downstairs and walked about the front living room and folded up the blanket and returned it back to the chest. I had wanted to look through the journal left on the bed side table but resisted the temptation and left it there. I took the time to replenish the wood in the fire hamper and cut up some apples for Emmylyn and as I did so it occurred to me this must be what she meant by inquiring about cheese. I hard boiled a four eggs, leaving two for her, I ate two, gently covering with salt and pepper. The ice in the cold closet wasn't too frozen yet and I made note check again tomorrow morning to see if I needed to have another block delivered and this one replaced. I sat at the kitchen table, eating the egg and apple and reading the paper, waiting for the groceries to be delivered and my wife to be done with her soak.


The water had begun to cool and I longed for the calmness of the hotness of the water but was brought out of that desire to soak longer by voices below. I stood and turned the knob to empty the bath and stepped out as it drained, drying myself and brushing my hair before putting it back in a single French braid. After dressing, donning a simple dress I took a deep breath and opened the door and made my way downstairs. I found Shine in the kitchen, back in his fancy attire no doubt ready to be out of the house and back walking the streets. "Did the groceries come? I heard voices." I said as I entered the space.

A nod as he folded the paper shut and pushed it away from him. "Yes."

I look at him and give him a nod before moving about the room to stand across from him. "You are okay not being here when she comes?" I inquire peering up at him.

I give her a look, feeling my brow furrow. "Should I be concerned, Emmylyn?" I counter.

She shrugs. "I don't know. Do you have many strangers come into your home?" His look hardens. "I meant before you know?" I say hurriedly. "Before you married me."

"No Emmylyn, I did not have people come here." I reply. Odd concern. I looked at her, taking in her nervous fidget that she did to no doubt try to soothe her nerves. Why she had any was beyond me.

"It just occurred to me that it is normal to you, probably, for a place like this," I say gesturing with both hands, "a place like this to be so quiet." I end rather softly in tone and I look away a moment before returning my gaze to his.

"You think it is too quiet?" I ask.

"I think I grew up in whore house..." I say and feel my face morph into a smile. "It is never quiet in a whore house, not even when the hours say it is closed." I was relieved when he chuckled and nodded while raising his eyebrows to agree.

"But you do think this place quiet?" I push. "Does it bother you?" I ask.

I shrug. "It is quiet. But I think you prefer that, yes?" When he does not answer, either verbally or non verbally I continue. "And it isn't that it bothers me. It is just... different for me. That is all. Not bad or good, different."

I nod. "Ah." How insightful. I wanted to roll my eyes.

"Or..." I say, a small smirk gracing my face, "Or perhaps I am just bored being cooped up all day." He goes to speak, his face moving from amused to what I suspected was annoyed. "Alone."

At this comment I do roll my eyes and sigh and I allow myself to step back and lean upon the counter. "Emmylyn..." She gives a look of forced confusion, "You are not going to be allowed to wander about the city as you would please. It will not happen."

I nod, knowing I have clearly hit some nerve. Or perhaps it was that I had the nerve, to keep pushing this. "I know, you have been very clear, Husband." I say forcefully and with a petulant purse of my lips. Shrugging, "I will just keep reminding you that it was you who said I need babysitting until marriage, not after. Either you misspoke or lied. I have not decided on which of those I believe."

"You are well rested, feisty this morning." I say. She shrugs.

I hold his gaze, "I think I am always feisty and yes, your couch was comfortable and living room quite warm." I nod with a small finality at the end of speaking.

"Hm." I sniff. "Well I am off." I say and stand upright. On one hand bored with this conversation the other not sure what she is seeking to accomplish by prodding at me with this non issue.

I nod. "Do you think you and your men will be able to solve this one?" I ask softly.

I hold her gaze and note the look on her face. "I think so, yes." I reply with a nod.

"And the man-the man that you had in there last night, that was him, right?" I ask. He didn't answer but I saw his brow come together for a moment. "He was the killer right? The killer is in jail and not... roaming?" I ask, the last word spoken softly and it betrayed my nervousness about that.

Ah so that was why she was asking. "I cannot speak on an active case Emmylyn." I reply. She nods and makes a face.

"You don't talk about cases anyway." I counter, recalling the files he had lent to me, more out of blackmail for good behavior than anything else.

"I do, just not with you." I reply. She rolls her eyes. "Arthur is just outside, if you are feeling uncomfortable being here alone, he like Jude, is welcome to come inside." I say and turn away from her and move towards the front door.

I nod and follow. "Right. Well if he is like Jude he won't come in." I hear Shine chuckle.

"You are most likely correct in that assessment. He would think it inappropriate." I don my coat and scarf and pick up my hat. "Your Mother will most likely be here within the hour, but I cannot say for certain as I do not know what is happening at the whore house this morning. I made you some eggs and cut up some apple."

I follow behind him as he opens the front door, he cannot see me nodding behind his back. "Thank you."

"Arthur." I say by way of greeting. He nods. "She is not to leave and her Mother is expected today. They are both not to leave." I could feel her roll her eyes behind my back at that statement. "if you get too cold you are welcome to wait in the living room."

"Understood Boss, thank you." Arthur replies. His gravelly voice more gruff than Jude's.

I nod as I move past him before making my way down the drive I turn and look at Emmylyn, "Oh and there is cheese, should you want it for your apple." I give her a smile and turn to get on with my day, not waiting for a reply.

I roll my eyes at him again and expel some air. Arthur looks at me. I give him a small smile. "Good Morning Arthur."

A dip of the head. "Mrs. Shine."

"Would you like some tea or some apple?" I ask.

A shake of the had. "No thank you." He replies. I nod. Right... His voice draws me from my thoughts. "Back inside Mrs. Shine, you are letting the cold in." He, like Jude, turned his back and made out as if he were studying the street by way of dismissal.

I rolled my eyes at him and shut the door, muttering to myself as I did so. "Men."


Thank you for taking time to read the update. I do hope you enjoyed it. Transitioning chapters are hard, but hope you're still sticking with me after the long hiatus. Have a good day. - Sevy14