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Chapter 41
Dreams Create Memories
1345 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
Elvis savored the feel of the chilled rain on his face. It provided a relief for the heat he inwardly felt. Could all of the struggles finally be coming to an end? He wanted Georgie home. It pained him to see the longing in her eyes. If only he could shake that deep, nagging, gnawing feeling in his gut that kept taunting him that something was just not right. But he needed to focus now. He had trainees on the pistol range and they were depending on his expertise.
Xxxxx
1530 –
"Police discovered a car parked off road in a secluded area near the river bank. License number traced to Evans. Several bottles of whiskey were found beneath the front seat. Upholstery reeked of alcohol. Spouse confirmed he had been drinking heavily of late. She also confirmed the jacket did indeed belong to Evans. She stated he routinely kept it in the car."
As Dave Warner continued on with the update, Elvis sat staring at the laptop keyboard absorbing all of the details. Brad Evans should have been a strong swimmer, but against such a wild current and probably inebriated, it is no wonder he drowned. Finding the body may potentially be impossible. Elvis' eyes eventually tracked up to the screen as Warner said, "Well, there you have it."
"I honestly don't get it Dave….I mean…..did he fall in? Jump in? Wha?"
"Questions we may never have answers to Elvis."
"Who did Adam Jones ring?" Elvis persisted.
"He has not asked to make any further calls." Warner answered.
"So….you're sayin, we don't know…..and why would he ask to make any more calls? The dirty work is already done."
Warner glared at him. Elvis did not stand down.
"That one call, one call Dave, had a domino effect. Ever since then there has been madness."
Warner knew Elvis was right and swiped a hand around the corners of his mouth.
"Fuckin pity there was no mobile in those pockets." Elvis said. Warner sat back attempting to blink away Harte's assault of questions because he knew Elvis was no where near finished. "You said IT found nothin on his computer."
"Correct." Warner replied.
"Wha' about the email he sent ya? Wha' IP address did it come from?"
"It was from his laptop. The one the tech boys scoured."
"He must 'ave used a flash drive or an external hard drive. There has got to be data stored someplace. There has to be a bank account, something. Wha' did they do with the heroin?"
"I told you…..Nothing was found in the home or his office at the Garrison." Warner insisted. "He's gone Elvis. He probably lost the plot and cashed himself in."
"Georgie is comin home in a day or two Dave. I need to be sure, one hundred percently, that there are no loose ends."
"You cannot chase after shadows. You know that."
"And you know me better than that Dave. I would not persist unless there was a damn good reason. Something fuckin stinks 'ere." Elvis said, wagging his head slowly and deeply inhaling in through his nostrils.
Warner pressed his palms into his eyes, rubbing as he said. "On a classified note…..MI5 is looking into the stolen propane. They are concerned the entire tank may not have been used in the explosion."
Elvis shot out an exhaled, sardonic laugh. "So they are chasin a ghost armed with residual propane…."
"They are simply being cautious."
"So am I Dave."
"Look. Either Pettigrew or Evans stole the propane. Both are out of the picture. That is it!"
"Except we're worried about an inanimate tank of propane."
"Elvis…you need to get Georgie home and the two of you need to go on holiday. Get yourself away. You are done. Our team will handle this."
Elvis fiddled with his ear as Warner spoke….his mind whirling and processing all of the intel. He did not want a holiday. He wanted normal. "My wife and I are movin into a new home. We are havin a baby! I am worried about my family Dave. Wouldn't you be?"
Warner sighed empathetically. "Certainly."
Xxxxx
1645 - Hoddesdon, UK
"Yeah mum….yeah…we fancy the oak set."
"Awwww…luv, not the pine?"
"Noooo mum. Oak will be perfect." Georgie said, flexing and unflexing a fist.
"But why Georgie? The pine is so much brighter."
"Our choice matches everything else we're planning for the room."
"You mean you're planning don't ya? I mean….Elvis isn't paying any mind to decorating." Grace said.
"Not exactly, but he fancies the oak set and so do I."
"Alright. Oooooh, this is so exciting Georgie! I wish I could see ya luv."
Georgie could hear the curiosity in her mum's voice as to why a phone call was made instead of face time. She felt bad hiding her whereabouts, but needs must. "I told ya mum. Bad connection here."
"Oh that's right. You've had some storms there aven't ya?"
Georgie smiled wistfully. She had been tracking everything about Hereford she possibly could.
"And what about that house explosion! Awful wasn't it?" Grace said as Georgie rubbed her forehead. Of course her mum did not know the finer details.
"Are you OK Georgie?" Grace asked when her daughter seemed to become distant.
"Fine. Yeah."
"It won't be long for ya! That little boy will want to see the world! Have you picked a name yet?"
"Nope. We are still wrestling with names." She answered, still amused by Elvis' suggestion of Gunner.
"What about Jameson?" Grace offered.
"Jameson?"
"Yes! It is such a handsome name."
Georgie instantly knew how that would go over with Elvis. "So we'd be calling him Jamie?"
"Well…no….his name would be Jameson." Grace said, slowly realizing what Georgie was trying to say.
"I don't reckon mum." Georgie said, like it was a bad taste in her mouth. Another caller was ringing in and Georgie checked…squinting at her screen. "Mum….I gotta go. Elvis is ringin me. Might be something on the cottage."
"OK. Let me know when I can arrange the delivery, yeah?"
"I will. Love you mum, talk soon."
"Love ya too. Bye luv."
Georgie ended the call just in time to catch Elvis… "Hello!...Elvis!"
"Heyyyyy! Thought I'd be goin to voice mail."
"Sorry. I was talkin to my mum, given her our choice on the furniture."
"Good."
"What's goin on?" She began to twist a lock of hair between her fingers, delighted he had called.
"I'm gonna work on a plan to get ya home babe."
She felt a flare of excitement course through her. "Seriously?! When?"
He chuckled. "Still working out the details."
"What do ya need to work out Elvis? Just come and get me!"
"Nah. I can't do 'at."
"They could certainly give ya a day off for shit's sake." She said rolling her eyes.
"Look….Georgie…it appears Evans drowned in the Wye…and…."
"What!? When? There has been nothing reported publicly."
"I know. Wha' I can tell ya is his identification was found in a piece of clothin amongst some rocks. His car was found further north. Appears that location is where he went in."
"What in hell was he doing near the river?" Georgie asked, trying to imagine how Evans would have landed in the water.
"Anyone's guess George. He was probably pissed. They found empty bottles in the car."
"I feel sorry for his family." She said.
"Yeah. Bit of a shocker for everyone. But, you're comin home babe!"
"I love the sound of that." She said, basking in the notion of their reunion. "So how am I getting home if my own husband will not come get me?"
"You are a task mistress ya know 'at?"
"It was your idea for me to spend time with Nonna."
"Great…my sweet Nonna has influenced ya." He teased.
Georgie laughed. "That's right. Sweet as she truly is ….. I have seen Nonna snap a mean dish towel."
Elvis laughed. "You are gonna miss her."
"Oh yes. I am. I love her to bits."
"Marco will bring ya back. He and Geno can work on the floors."
"But we haven't signed the contract yet."
"Three days…..get yer pen at the ready…..we will be signin the contract." Elvis said and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"Really?!"
"I am bein serious 'ere George. I just talked to Chloe. The sellers 'ave drafted it, our solicitor feels it is sound. Once ya get 'ere, we both sign…..and 'at's it! Lucky for us the sellers had already vacated. When they hand over the keys…I am carrying ya over the threshold!"
Georgie grinned from ear to ear and shuddered with excitement. "Elvis! I cannot wait! Ya might need a crane to get me over the threshold though."
He laughed. "I reckon I can handle ya George."
"I want to see ya so bad. I miss ya holding me." She said.
He smiled and suddenly felt warm all over. He craved her as well. He just wished he could quell his doubts that all was well. But…..he must….their lives had to move forward. Maybe Dave Warner was right…he could not chase shadows and Georgie could not stay away forever. The Harte's dreams were taking shape.
