Sorry for the long delay. My computer has gone all fritzy on me and isn't cooperating at all. Managed to get a window of happy computer here, so I'm taking advantage of it. As always, reviews are most welcome.

The following afternoon, Christopher received a phone call from DC Hadley. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Foyle. But you said you wanted to be told if either Long or Ledford showed up."

"Yes," Christopher replied quietly.

"Terry Ledford was spotted at the Golden Eagle last night, down near the pier."

"So they are back?"

"Yes sir. If they follow the pattern, they'll probably stay three or four days and move on."

"Right. You'll keep me informed?"

"Of course, sir."

"Thank you," Christopher said softly, his mind already whirling. If Ledford was down at the Golden Eagle the odds were he was staying nearby. And that left very few possibilities to investigate. A determined glint settled like steel in his eyes as he made a decision. "Sam darling," he called into the kitchen where she was, heading to her as he spoke. She looked up at him expectantly when he entered the room. "I've a few errands," he told her. "Be back for tea." She tilted her head, obviously confused by his sudden errands. "Alright. I'll try to wait for you," she replied with an impish grin on her face. Leaning down to give her a kiss, Christopher smiled. "If you're starving before I get back, go ahead without me. You usually nick all my biscuits anyway." He escaped the swat directed at him but heard her threaten as he left. "You'll pay for that remark, Christopher Foyle." Don't I know it, he thought as he settled his hat on his head and left the house with a smile. It wasn't too many steps along Steep Lane before the steely glint returned to his eyes, however, as he strode toward his destination.

He stepped into the Golden Eagle and ordered an ale. Looking around in the dimly lit room, he saw a few fishermen but no one that resembled the description of Ledford, or Long for that matter. Turning back to the bar, he asked the keeper a few questions and satisfied that the man had no real information to share, Christopher finished his ale and left. He began to inquire at the nearby inns and his third stop was a small inn just up the road.

The place was dingy and smelled of fish, which was no surprise since it was largely fishermen and seamen that used it from time to time. Most other visitors to the area would find lodgings further in town. He asked the nearly toothless old woman at the desk about Ledford and Long and got a squinty eyed grimace in return. "What ya want with them two?" she asked. "You right smart looking to be asking after them."

"Yes, well... a bit of business, personal business," he replied.

"Oh, well then... Don't know what a gent like you'd want with the likes of them though. Can't think of no personal business you'd have with them."

"Right, well... are they here?"

They're here," she grumbled. "Things been slow or I wouldn't let them stay," she added. "Them two is always trouble of one kind or 'nother."

"Their room?"

"212. But they ain't up there. Went out early this morning." She sighed. "Reckon they won't be dragging back here 'til late. "

"Thank you."

"Yeah. Don't matter ta me."

Christopher stepped out into the fresh air and took a deep breath. The atmosphere in the little inn had been oppressive. Nothing to do about any of it now, he thought. Best get back to Sam... and he set out to walk home.

He passed a flower shop and stepped in to buy a small bunch of flowers for Sam. Another thought crossed his mind and he left with two bundles in hand. Christopher stopped at the churchyard and approached Rosalind's grave. Standing still for a few minutes, he simply gazed at the headstone, letting his memories of their life together flood over him. Clouds overhead created a bleak feeling. Finally, he spoke softly. "I need to tell you something, my darling. And I hope you'll be happy for me?" Quietly he explained about Sam and told his dead wife that he'd married again. Then reverently, he knelt and placed one of the bundles at her headstone. "Please be happy for me. I do love her and she... she makes me happy. It's been so lonely without you." The sun broke out from behind a cloud casting light over Christopher and the grave marker. Somehow it felt as if Rosalind approved. He stood and gazed at the headstone a moment longer and then walked away, his heart a tad lighter.

Sam was in the front room when he entered the house. He paused in the doorway to the room and pressed his mouth together when he saw her worried expression. "Errand's all done?" she asked softly.

Remembering the bundle of flowers he still carried, he held them out to her. "Yup. Brought these for you," he answered just as softly. She took them and passing them under her nose for a sniff, she looked at him shyly. "I ... I was afraid I'd done something... you left so abruptly."

"Nup. Nothing you did. More of what I hadn't done...yet."

She looked at him quizzically. "Didn't do?"

He shrugged. "I hadn't told Rosalind about you... us. Needed to do that."

She looked at him with confusion and a tint of worry. "You needed to tell her... but she's..."

"Yes, I know. I was speaking to piece of stone with her name chiseled into it. But... I needed to talk to her, Sam. To tell her that I've remarried."

"And she... I would think she is happy for you," she replied, finally beginning to understand.

"Think she is," he said as he remembered the bit of sunshine at her grave.

"I know you ... you loved her very much and... well, you still do. And I'm second best. "

He took her into her into his arms and felt her tension immediately. "Nnot second best, Sam. Just different. A new piece of my life. Rosalind ... yes, I still love her; always will. But nnot the same. And she's gone and you are here and I love you and ehmmm am happy, happier than I ever hoped to be again." He felt her relax against him and he sighed. He hadn't intended to hurt her with his explanation. But maybe these things had needed to be said, needed to be recognized. "Think maybe I needed to tell her so I could let her go completely. Needed to do that, Sam. Need to be able to hold you close without anything... or anyone between us." Sam sighed and clung to him tighter.

Later in the evening, Christopher glanced at the clock that sat on the mantel, his mind busy trying to find an excuse for him to go out so late. Glancing across at Sam, who was curled on the couch with a book, her eyes heavy. ""Time for bed, Sam?" he asked softly. "You look tired."

She stretched and looked his way. "I am, rather... Not certain why."

Christopher's mouth dropped into one of his characteristic downward smiles. "Mmight be because you've been busy wearing me down?"

She grinned at him but her tiredness tarnished the brightness of her expression. "No. I enjoy that too much for it to be tiring. But, I suppose I really am not fully recovered from... everything."

"Why don't you go on up, love? I'll stay here and read awhile longer, let you settle before I join you. That way you'll behave and I won't be quite so tempted to get you to misbehave."

Sam nodded and then yawned. "And to think my father was worried that you might be too old for me," she said quietly as she stood. "Seems I'm the old biddy tonight."

"Nup, not old and certainly no biddy; just tired," he said as he stood to kiss her goodnight. "Need to rest so you can have a go at me again tomorrow," he teased just before laying a very chaste kiss on her cheek.

Not to be dismissed so easily though, Sam turned and kissed him fully on the lips, not passionately but certainly not with the chasteness of his kiss. "You won't be long will you?" She asked as she turned to leave the room.

"Just finish this chapter... maybe one more and I'll be up. Go on to sleep and I'll try not to wake you," he said gently.

"Alright. I love you, my darling."

Christopher smiled at that. "As I love you, so very much," he replied as she stepped out of the room.

Christopher watched as she started up the steps. He listening for her movements upstairs and noted when things grew quiet. He waited another forty minutes and then quietly gathered his coat and hat and crept out of the house, closing the door behind him silently.