Lynchpin

Author Note: For disclaimer and introduction, please see chapter one. This story is not a continuation of the previous chapter. Robbie and Laura reboot!

Part I: Laura's new alliance

Inspector Robbie Lewis and Sergeant James Hathaway were returning to the Oxfordshire police station when they caught a glimpse of a hurried pathologist rushing to her car. Lewis waved to Dr Laura Hobson, and she reciprocated his greeting. He started to veer in her direction, but she showed no sign of slowing down. "Sorry, I'm running late." She called to him.

"Are you giving evidence in court?" He asked as he caught up to her car.

"No, why?" She looked panicked for a moment. "I haven't forgotten something important, have I?"

"No, no. You look nice is all." Hobson was wearing a navy blue jacket over a cream-coloured blouse and matching navy skirt. She kept the jacket open so as not to be too formal, but it was classier than her usual business-casual. Hobson didn't often wear skirts to work as she usually ended up in scrubs or a scene suit .

Hobson looked relieved and then smiled broadly as if she wanted to tell him something. "Thank you, Robbie. Sorry, I am a little nervous about, well... Anyway, I'm glad you think so. About me looking nice, that is. Must dash now, really."

Lewis took her arm as she tried to get into the car. "Wait, where exactly are you going?"

"I don't have time to explain just now. We should talk this afternoon, though. I'll stop by your office to see if you're available."

"Good luck, wherever it is."

That afternoon, Lewis decided to sort through boxes of evidence while he sent Hathaway off to interview an acquaintance of their most recent murder victim, Aurelia Featherleigh. "Really, sir? You normally delegate the boring bits to me. I think that you're more interested in a certain pathologist's visit than combing through the victim's personal effects." Hathaway observed.

"That's not your concern, Sergeant. You need to do the interviews yourself because case or no case, I am taking this weekend off. Our Lyn's coming into town tonight."

"Whatever you say, sir." And with that, Hathaway went off to do Lewis' bidding.

Around two in the afternoon, there was a soft knock on the door and Hobson popped her head into Lewis' office. "Hi there. About earlier, I was running off to meet someone for lunch. Not just someone, though. Last night I got a phone call out of the blue asking if we could meet. So anyway, enough beating around the bush; I finally got to meet-"

He cut her off. "You can have lunch with anyone you want. You don't have to explain anything to me." Her brilliant smile was absolutely killing him. For as much as Lewis was not exactly pro-active in courting Hobson, he would always be jealous if there was someone else in her life.

"No, I do need to explain, actually. I had lunch with Lyn."

"Our Lyn?" He was gobsmacked.

"No—someone else's Lyn! Of course, your Lyn. When she called me last night, she asked me not to tell you just yet. She's very sweet, Robbie." He just stood there at a loss for words, but the colour was rising in his face. "Well, are you going to say something?"

He tugged at his collar and loosened his tie. "What… what did you talk about?"

"You, of course," she said with a very flirtatious smile. She realized immediately that this was a tactical error as his colour was now turning from red to purple. Lewis was positively mortified, and not in a way a pathologist would appreciate. "Don't worry; I didn't go into any details. I told her that we see each other socially and enjoy each other's company. But that it hasn't been more than that. I didn't misrepresent our relationship in any way, so you can wipe that mortified expression off your face. I wasn't wrong to tell her we're friends who care about each other, was I?"

Lewis was starting to regain his ability to speak, but his eyes were still seething. "My family life is private."

Hobson was taken aback by his reaction. "Let's not blow things out of proportion, now. It was just lunch."

As Lewis was trying- and failing- to keep his anger in check, Chief Superintendent Innocent was passing by the inspector's office. The door was ajar, and she paused in front of it when she heard voices raised.

"How could you do that to me?" Lewis' voice struck Innocent as angry and exasperated.

"Was I supposed to refuse the invitation?" Innocent recognized the second voice as Dr Hobson's.

"Aye! Or talk to me first! Instead, the two of you go sneaking around behind my back."

"We're hardly sneaking around."

"That's exactly what you're doing!"

"Fine, if you see it that way. But it is only because we both care about you."

"You'd no right, Laura."

"And you've no right to speak to me that way when I've been nothing but friendly. Call me when you're ready to apologize."

"Give your post mortem to James!" Lewis shouted as Hobson stomped out of the office, brushing past Innocent.

Innocent continued walking past the door. She decided not to address Lewis but intercepted Sergeant Hathaway when he eventually returned to the building. She beckoned him into her office. "Have a seat, Hathaway. Are things all right between you and Inspector Lewis?"

"Ma'am?" Hathaway was confused.

"Have you and Dr. Hobson… spoken about anything that might be upsetting to the Inspector?"

"No, ma'am. I don't think I follow you. I mean, we still haven't found Aurelia Featherleigh's missing foot, but..." Hathaway's face showed such bewilderment that Innocent knew that Hathaway was not involved. Too late now, she thought.

"All right, Hathaway. Confidentially speaking now, I overheard Lewis and Hobson having a row. A third party is involved, and I though perhaps you would know about that. I wasn't eavesdropping, mind you; they weren't being very discreet."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I wouldn't know anything about it."

"That's fine, Hathaway. No need to bring this up to Lewis. Just keep your eyes and ears open."

"Mum's the word, ma'am."

Part II: Hathaway's second shift

When at last the detectives were ready to call it a day, Lewis was reluctant to go home. Lewis seemed intent on drowning his sorrows at the pub, and Hathaway decided he'd best tag along. "Second round is yours, James," Lewis said, indicating his empty pint.

"Sir, you don't want to go home to see your daughter?"

"I'm thirsty, Sergeant. Hop to it."

When Hathaway came back with the second round, he decided that he would need a more direct line of questioning or else Lewis might never leave the pub. "So. Did Dr Hobson stop by this afternoon as anticipated?"

"I don't want to talk about Laura bloody Hobson!"

"Sir, I need to know for my own protection. You know how she gets those beady eyes when she's intent on something? Well, she was wielding a scalpel rather angrily when I saw her for the post mortem."

Lewis did smile into his pint glass at the thought of Laura's intensity, but he didn't say a word.

"She didn't have a lunch date with that bloke, Franco, did she?"

That irked Lewis enough to finally spell out his troubles. "Not Franco." He put the pint down. "She had lunch with our Lyn."

"Is that a problem?"

"Is that a problem? There's a female conspiracy against me."

"Your daughter breaking bread with someone who has been your friend for years? I think that's rather nice, actually."

"I know what our Lyn is up to." Lewis did a falsetto impersonation of his daughter. "Oh Laura, please look after my dad. He's so lonely, and mum would want him to move on…" Switching back to his own voice, he added, "she's given me that speech too many times to count so she's gone and found herself a more receptive audience. She's humiliated me."

Hathaway sighed. "First off, you don't know what they talked about. Second, is it so bad for your daughter to want you to be happy? And third, as for Dr Hobson, sir, she doesn't pity you; she rather likes you. Do you remember earlier, in the car park? When you noticed how nice she looked? You thought she was giving evidence in court. But she didn't dress nicely for court. She did that for you, sir; she wanted to impress your daughter whose opinion she knows you hold dear." Hathaway took out his mobile which had begun to buzz. He grinned his smuggest and then showed the screen to Lewis, who cringed. "Hello, Dr Hobson," Hathaway answered.

Hobson got straight to the point. "If you know where Inspector Lewis is, tell him to call his daughter. He's not answering her calls and she's worried."

"He's right here- I'll pass you over and you can tell him yourself." The call ended with a click as Hobson hung up.

"Sir, Lyn is worried. You need to go home and work this out with her. You have a few days off to relax. We'll formulate a strategy for mollifying Hobson when you come back to work."

Lewis reluctantly nodded in agreement. He finished his pint, clapped Hathaway on the back, and made for the exit.

Watching Lewis leave, Hathaway sent an SMS to the Chief Super. "Lewis/Hobson update- 3rd party is his daughter. Will work on reconciliation."

"Good work, DS. Keep me posted" came Innocent's reply not 30 seconds later.

That woman is never off, is she? Hathaway thought. He downed the rest of his beer, pulled up the collar on his trench coat, and headed off into the night. But he did not go home.

Hathaway found himself on Laura Hobson's doorstep around 10PM. He rang the bell and hoped that she would answer. She did open the door, and greeted him icily.

"Forgive the intrusion, Doctor, but I was afraid you'd hang up on me again if I called."

"Is this official business, Sergeant?"

"No, it's more of a pastoral visit. I may be too frivolous to be a priest, but I can't help but intercede on behalf of the world-weary."

"This is none of your business, James."

"I know, and I respect your privacy. I'd just like to share a personal experience. You don't have to say anything; just listen. Can I come in?"

She let him in and they chatted about the confounding case of the late Ms Featherleigh while she made a pot of tea. They sat across from one another at the kitchen table. With the tea brewed, it was time to stop dodging the elephant in the room.

"So, what's your story, James?"

"Well, it's about Lewis—as you have no doubt surmised. A few years back, you'll recall that I discovered quite by accident that Simon Monkford was the one driving the car that killed his wife. I was hoping that Innocent would break the news to him, but no such luck. When I did tell him, he exploded in anger at me- for not telling him sooner, or for opening an old wound, or whatever reason. It didn't make much sense at the time. Anyway, my take on it is that he's been numb for so many years that when someone gets really close to him, he doesn't know how to handle it. I don't know if he was any better at controlling his emotions back in the day, but he just doesn't know how to vent all these pent-up feelings he has. So what I'm trying to say is that whatever happened between the two of you, you shouldn't take it personally. He'll come round."

Hobson listened attentively and considered his tale in silence for a few moments, then spoke. "What are we going to do with him, James?"

"Just don't give up on him."

"I don't know if he'll ever let me in. It might be best for me to walk away."

"Not true. Here's what happens: you see another man, Lewis pouts for a month, you two decide to be friends again, things heat up, he stalls, you look elsewhere. Lather, rinse, repeat. You know why it's this cycle? You two are inevitably drawn to each other. Sooner or later he'll get it right."

There was a glimmer of hope on Hobson's face now. "So, if this is a priestly intercession, does that make me a goddess?"

"If I say yes, will you be merciful?"

Hobson tilted her head to the side and smiled coyly.

Part III: Lessons for Lewis

Meanwhile, Robbie Lewis was returning home. He put his key in the door but didn't have to turn it. The door swung open, and there was Lyn was waiting for him.

"Hello, dad."

"Pet."

"You're home late," she said as she crossed her arms severely.

"And it seems that you got into town early. Lunchtime, was it, lass?"

Lyn started to explain herself. "I know you like Laura, dad, and you have for a long time. It drives me mad not knowing her perspective. So I called her. If you're angry at anyone it should be me. I hope you didn't excoriate her too badly because she might be the only other person on Earth who is willing to put up with you. Turns out she's quite fond of you."

"Stop meddling in my life, Lyn."

"Not until you understand that your life has other people in it! Did it ever occur to you that Laura might need you too? She went out on a limb for you by meeting me and you treated her with disdain."

"That's enough!"

"I'm not done yet. You get so caught up in your own melancholy that you forget that other people care and hurt and have feelings too. This is exactly why my brother doesn't want to come back from Australia. It's not mum you need to get over, it's yourself."

"I said that's enough!"

Tim- Lyn's partner- came out from the guest room. He was loath to get involved in a Lewis family squabble but decided to intervene. "You two are going to wake up the wee one. Let's all retreat to our corners and talk about it in the morning."

Lyn agreed and went to Tim's side. "I won't go to bed angry. I did it because I love you, dad. Good night."

Robbie remained silent until Lyn was heading down the hall with Tim. "I love you too, pet." Robbie went to bed utterly exhausted but unable to sleep. His eldest child had struck a nerve. As Inspector Lewis, Robbie was known- professionally recognized, even- for being compassionate to the families of victims. But when it came to the people in his own life, he was completely oblivious. He tossed and turned thinking of this and the relationships that he had neglected. He'd lost his son to the distance, save for perfunctory phone calls on holidays and birthdays. If he didn't make amends, Laura would become just another face at work. He didn't want to lose her too.

The next morning, Robbie did call Laura. He wasn't surprised that she didn't answer. He left her a message. "Laura, it's Robbie. You said that I could ring you when I was ready to apologize. Well, here we are. I hope you'll call me back so that I can tell you how sorry I am for how I behaved yesterday. Good bye."

Laura listened to the message straight away, but she delayed ringing him for a few hours. Around noon, she decided it was time. He answered on the first ring.

"Laura?"

"Hello, Robbie."

"I am glad that you rang me back. I was worried you wouldn't. I am sorry that I lost my temper yesterday. I don't know what came over me."

"I am sorry too. I should have realized that family matters are still sensitive for you. I overstepped the boundaries of our friendship."

"No, you didn't. I don't want there to be any boundaries between us." He cleared his throat. "I'd feel better continuing this discussion in person. Can you come around my flat?"

"Maybe I should wait until Lyn has gone back to Manchester. We can do dinner, perhaps?"

"Lyn's leaving in an hour, and she'll be out all day at her friend's wedding. I'm minding the wee bairn, so we could go to a park or something if you come over. I want to see you."

"I don't know, Robbie. I'm not too keen on children. We can meet up later this week."

"Afraid of a dirty nappy?"

"Hardly. You know what I do for a living, Inspector. I'm more familiar with bowels than most."

"So come over."

"I just don't relate well to kids. You and I are having a hard time relating to each other as adults as it is. I'd just rather not sort out our emotions while responsible for a small human."

Robbie was suddenly struck by the Morse-like quality in her voice. It made him want to reach out to her even more. Robbie was reminded that he was blessed with the love of a precious child, and that not everyone knew that feeling. Maybe Laura really did need him.

"If you have a change of heart, I'll be here all day."

"I'll think about it."

"I guess that's the best I can hope for. See you soon, I hope."

Laura kept herself busy that afternoon with grocery shopping and chores, but finally she could no longer ignore the voice in the back of her head luring her over to Robbie's flat. She rang the bell and waited for a while. She was about to give up and turn away when Robbie opened the door. "Sorry, I was trying to fix the little man some supper."

Laura took the hand of the toddler in his arms. "Hi there, I'm Laura." Robbie's grandson buried his head in Robbie's shoulder. "Shy, are we? I understand. I'm a bit apprehensive about you too."

"Oh hush, Laura. You're both fine. Are you going to come in?" He led Laura into the kitchen where he had been in the middle of making a sandwich for the youngster. He put the boy back down in his booster seat and went to the refrigerator.

"Can I offer you a beer?"

"Of course."

"Sippy-cup for the bairn, bottle for Laura." He put the drinks on the table and poured himself a glass of orange juice. Laura smiled as she remembered the erstwhile Sergeant Lewis' beverage of choice.

"I am sorry that I said my family life is off limits. It's not." He cut a bologna sandwich into quarters and put it in front of his grandson. "Would you like some?"

"Sure. Why not?" After bologna sandwiches, applesauce, and Robbie wiping down the ensuing mess, the three of them were seated on the living room floor. Robbie and Laura were building towers with blocks that the child was only too happy to knock over.

"I think he has some bruising above his left eyebrow." Laura observed.

"He ran into the coffee table. That's what toddlers do, toddle into things."

"Aptly named, then."

Robbie looked at her stared to chuckle. "What?" she asked.

"We're not doing a post mortem, Doctor. We're playing with blocks."

She laughed too as she realized that she had not left her inner-pathologist at the office. "I guess that explains this new-but-vaguely-familiar feeling I've got then."

"What's that?"

"How many times over the years, Robbie, have you and I been down on the ground just like this? Except instead of searching for a cause of death, this time we're cooing over a beautiful little life. And you're happy. I haven't seen you happy like this in ages."

"You seem happy too. And you were worried about not getting on with the little one." They were looking deep into each other's eyes now.

"I'm hopeless when it comes to children. But here with you, it feels right. I didn't think it would, but it does. It just feels right."

"I couldn't have said it better meself." Robbie smiled at her so tenderly; Laura thought she might see a tear in the corner of his eye. He moved in and gave her a little kiss on the lips.

"That was nice." She said, and kissed him back. They remained locked together like that, kisses slowly growing more intense until they were hit by projectile blocks. The tower had been thrashed once again and the child squealed with glee.

Robbie and Laura looked at each other and giggled too. "Do you fancy an evening walk? Lyn said she left the pram in the boot of my car."

"Can you imagine me pushing a pram?" she asked. "As good as things are going, I'll still need another beer before that happens!"

"It's purely functional, not symbolic in the least. You see, there are these wheels that facilitate transport of the bairn between two points. He's quite heavy, you know. But if you prefer, I will push the pram and you can follow ten paces behind." Robbie teased.

"Cheeky. OK, then."

Robbie and his precious cargo rolled off into the sunset. Laura wasn't behind him, but rather at his side. She was still clinging to his side hours later when they'd fallen asleep together on the couch watching a film.

Laura began to stir beneath the blanket and pushed herself off of Robbie's chest. "I should go before Lyn gets back and finds us like this."

"Too late, love. She and Tim came back over an hour ago. Who do you think covered us up and turned off the telly?"

"Hmmm, the hand of Lyn again."

"She's a good lass." Robbie said.

"That she is. All the same, I think I'd best go home and leave you to a family breakfast. I'll call you tomorrow."

"I look forward to it." Robbie said as he kissed her good-bye.

Epilogue

The next morning before returning to Manchester, Lyn set up her laptop on the coffee table in front of the couch. There, she, her dad, and her fidgeting son Skyped with her brother in Australia. It had been a long time since Robbie had seen his son, who resembled him thirty years ago, but with shaggier hair. The younger Lewis shared about work, friends, and a trip he'd recently taken with his girlfriend. Robbie was feeling all too relieved to hear the real details of his son's life when Lyn caught him off-guard once again.

"Guess who else has a girlfriend?" She said, poking her dad in the arm.

"Seriously?" Robbie's son asked. Robbie didn't know what to say but conceded a smile.

Lyn's partner Tim swooped into view of the webcam for a moment to grab the toddler as he was scaling the back of the couch with the intent of going over the top. "She's a cute, young blonde." Tim teased.

"You're joking. I hope she knows he hasn't got any money!" was the younger Lewis' response.

"It's not like that!" Robbie protested.

"Young is a relative term," Lyn said. "She's probably 50. And a doctor. Really nice. Too good for dad really, but they seem happy." She strategically omitted all the details of the last 24 hours.

"Does she have a name?"

Lyn prodded Robbie again. "Go on, dad. Tell him."

"It's Laura. Erm… We've known each other for a long time at work, but our Lyn has been matchmaking recently."

"The old man is smiling again, so job well done, sis."

Lyn looked proud of herself, and Robbie recognized in her Val's pride in taking care of everyone behind the scenes. Like mother like daughter, Lyn held them all together. For the first time in many years, Robbie felt whole again. He resolved that he was going to remain in closer contact with his son. His love for his family with Val and his new adventure with Laura were all converging on his heart.