Chapter 10

"Are you certain she's really married? I mean have you ever met Mr. Innocent?"

Looking in the mirror, he continued tying his tie. "There are a fair few bets around the station about just that."

She smiled, "Really, what are the bets?"

"Not married and/or divorced but using a husband to keep the perverts away, gay and inventing a husband so no one knows and there is one theory that Mr. Innocent is a cat."

"And where's your money?"

"I think she's married but keeps her private life private. She tells me stories when we go to these things. I don't care how good she might be; no one makes up that much detail."

"Out of curiosity, why you?"

He turned to her, smiling, "Am I not handsome enough for her?"

"I happen to find you quite handsome. But you do seem to go to a lot of these things."

"I suspect she knows I'm safe. Not likely to make a move on her or cause a scene. Even if she does think I am often guilty of chippy copper antics."

"Chippy copper antics? Funny, I don't remember those moves."

Nodding at her, "That's because you asked me out. I never had to use my chippy copper antics on you."

Her laughter filled the room, made him smile at the bright clarity of it. "I had to ask you out. If I'd waited on you I'd still be waiting."

He shook his head, "No, I'd have eventually worked up the nerve. Just taking my time."

"It doesn't matter, all worked out in the end."

He paused, a momentary touch of sadness filled him. "You're sure our Lyn likes this guy, the author?"

She nodded, proud of him for pushing the pain way so easily. "Absolutely, best birthday present you could give her. Besides a visit up to see her."

"Ginny, this is Robert."

He held out his hand, shaking the woman's hand, "Ginny."

The woman smiled, "I've heard a lot about you."

He cut his eyes towards Innocent, "All good, I hope?"

"Glowing. Are you a Dorian Crane fan?"

Looking away, he smiled, "Uh, my daughter rates him. It's not my cup of tea, all that historical fantasy stuff. Not a patch on Dan Dare." Innocent smiled at her friend as Robbie continued, "Where do you fit in?"

Ginny laughed, looking down. Innocent filled the gap, "Ginny's Dorian's mother."

Robbie lack and forth between them. His eyes closed in embarrassment, "Oh, I'm sorry."

The two woman laughed as Innocent explained. "She got us in. We were students together."

Robbie tried to explain, "It wasn't that, I'm not…"

Reaching out to touch his arm, Ginny smiled. "It's fine."

"Dorian dedicated his first book to Ginny."

"I'm very lucky."

The subject of their conversation interrupted, kissing his mother on the cheek. "You said you weren't coming."

She shook her head, "I'm not, I'm going. I just brought Jean and Robert along." Meeting Robbie's eye, "I've got a parents meeting."

Dorian leaned in, kissing Jean's cheek. "How are you, Jean?"

Turning to her son, Ginny asked, "Where's your muse?"

"She should be here by now."

As the author was introduced and started reading from his book, Robbie let his mind wander. He'd been under the belief this event was an obligation for Innocent. Now he had the distinct feeling of being set up.

Robbie jogged across the bridge, annoyed he was late to the scene. There was already a tent set up and divers in the river. He could feel Dr. Hobson's eyes on him as he closed the distance.

She walked toward him, shouting out a greeting. "Morning." Pointing toward the tent, "Loitering within tent."

He groaned at her joke, looking at James, "Where does she get them?"

"Beano, dandy?"

Laura gave James a scathing look as Robbie exhaled loudly. "You don't read comics."

Looking into the distance, "I used to look over the rough boys' shoulders, sir."

Robbie rolled his eyes as he stepped into the tent. It was wonder the boy wonder and Dr. Hobson weren't better friends.

He stepped closer to the evidence table as James started running through the case. "Marina Hartner, born 1985. It's her medical card. 5 Felton Road."

Robbie looked up from the evidence, "Cowley. From here she could have been on her way into town or back home."

"Oh, probably home. She was found by a rider around dawn who says she saw her yesterday afternoon probably going into town."

"Same clothes?"

James nodded, "And alone."

Looking over the evidence, Robbie was puzzled by what was missing. "No phone? She'd have had a phone."

"They're doing a fingertip search of the riverbed."

He picked up the evidence bag with the perfume bottle. "Mystique Noir." Holding the bag to his nose, he inhaled deeply. "Arm and a leg, that stuff." Robbie paused, "Lyn bought some for Val the Christmas before we lost her."

Laura was standing only a few feet away, heard the pain in his voice. As he walked away, escaping to the river's edge, she nodded at James. Following him, she stood beside him, knew she needed to distract him, get his brain thinking about anything else.

The diver was surfacing, holding the mirror up high. It was the perfect distraction. Turning back to him, she waited until he looked down at her. "So smash it down over her head, and pull back unrelenting and side to side so the jagged glass saws through her neck. She resists and cuts her hands trying to save herself."

His pain receded, he smiled down at her gratefully. As gruesome as her description had been, it had done the job. "Thanks."

She nodded, holding his gaze as he looked down at her. "Postmortem results as soon as I can."

They were asking the young woman behind the bar questions. Hadn't identified who they were just yet. She was smarter than they expected and volleyed a question back to them. "You're not immigration?"

James pretended he was offended, "Certainly not, Kelly, better suits."

Cutting her eyes at Robbie, she smiled. "Yours, maybe."

Robbie looked down at his suit trying to understand what was wrong with it. "Is there a problem with Marina's work status, then?"

"She gets edgy if it comes up. She in trouble?"

"What time did she leave last night?"

"Early. Uh, 9:00."

"She say where she was going?"

"She never does, really."

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"Not that she's told me." Looking at James, "But I'd be surprised if there wasn't someone." Robbie's mobile rang, "She gets a lot of attention."

James continued the questioning, "From the customers?"

"All the time."

"Anyone in particular?"

Robbie walked away, talking to someone on his mobile. Kelly shook her head, "Just general."

"Do you know any of them by name? An Edward or a Ned?" Kelly shook her head. "Did she ever mention those names?"

Still shaking her head, "No."

"Have you got her mobile number, Kelly?"

"I've only got the payphone at her place."

As Robbie returned, James thanked the woman and stepped away from the bar. They walked out together. They were only a few steps down the road when Robbie had to ask.

"Is there something wrong with my suit?"

"No, your suit's perfectly serviceable, sir, I'd say."

Hearing the sarcasm, "Oh, thanks."

"New tie, maybe."

"I'll put it on my Christmas list. Start saving."

As they were rounding the corner, they bumped into Ginny. She smiled at Robbie, "Hello again.

Robbie smiled broadly, "Ginny." He looked over at James, wrestling to remove his mobile from his pocket. "This is my colleague, James Hathaway."

She nodded at James, "Oh, hi."

Answering his mobile, he nodded at her. "Excuse me."

As James walked away, Robbie turned back to her. "So how was your parents meeting?"

"Uh, must do better. Them, not me."

He laughed at her joke, unaware he was being watched by James. "What age do you teach?"

"Little ones. They're not so much trouble, in theory."

"Ugh, tell me about it. And I only had two of them."

She sighed, "Have you been to see Dorian?"

He shook his head, "No, why?"

"Oh, I just assumed. His room's just there."

He looked in the direction she pointed, "Yeah, I noticed his name."

"Well, nice to see you."

Smiling widely, "You too, bye."

"Bye."

He watched her walk away as James rejoined him, a cheeky smirk on his face. "No joy on the next of kin for Marina."

"Well I want her positively identified before we release her name."

"What about Kelly from The Grapevine?"

"No, give her a break. What was Marina's doctor's name on her medical card?"

"Dr. Jem Wishart." Looking over Robbie's shoulder, in the direction Ginny was walking, "Who's that?"

"Just someone I met." Robbie walked away with James following, smiling to himself.

Innocent joined them as they were watching the CCTV footage, "Progress?"

Robbie nodded, turning to her. "Getting there."

At his look, she explained, "Girl's night out with, um, Ginny and a couple of other's from university days."

"Very nice, ma'am."

Smiling at his compliment, "Thank you." Watching the screen, she tried to nonchalantly talk about her friend. "She's lovely, Ginny, don't you think?"

James smiled, casting a glance at Robbie. Robbie looked at James, "Seems very pleasant. Yes, ma'am."

Innocent continued, "Separated."

Before Robbie could respond, the dead girl was spotted on the footage.

He paced his flat, chatting with his daughter. Running his hand over the book, he teased her. "I've got a great birthday present for you."

"Really? Better than last year's electric toothbrush?"

"Uh, wait and see."

"Are you up to anything, besides work?"

"No, nothing much. Just catching up on work, you know?"

"Still missing, mum?"

"Yeah, of course I do, love. I think of her all the time." He opened a drawer on the table where the television sat. Inside were a handful of items belonging to Val. "Oh, just out of the blue, you know." He lifted the bottle of perfume, sniffing at it. "I don't have to try." There was an awkward pause and he inhaled deeply. "Anyway…"

"Dad, she wouldn't want you to be unhappy."

"Yeah…"

"I love you, dad."

"You, too, love." He smiled down at the bottle. "Sleep tight, Lyn."

He disconnected the call, staring down at Val's picture. Placing the bottle back in the drawer, he pushed it closed.

"I never did like that scarf."

"You wore it all the time."

She smiled as he turned to her, "Because you loved it. I liked making you happy."

"Are you OK?"

"The perfume."

She nodded, "I know."

"I am better, really I am, then something like this…"

"And it all comes back."

"Yeah."

Innocent entered his office, happy to find him alone. It wasn't an accident; she'd been pacing for some time looking for her opportunity.

"We still haven't got a hold of Alice. She's lost her phone according to her dad. But she's going to be at The Eagle and Child later for Dorian's appearance, so Hathaway's waiting for her." Reaching around he grabbed his jacket, "I'm supposed to meet him there."

"Good." She looked down at her shoes, "Robert, why not come to dinner one night?"

He was a bit surprised but realized it might be nice to get out of the house. "Why not, ma'am? Thank you."

"I could ask Ginny." He tried to control his expression as Innocent leaned over. "I'll give you her number, so you can, uh, liaise directly about available dates."

He took the offered piece of paper, "I'll give her a ring."

Smiling and raising her eyebrows at him, she turned to leave. "Good."

Looking down at the number, he knew he had to call. With his luck Innocent would have told the woman to expect the call. He pulled out his mobile and dialed the number.

"Hello?"

"Ginny?"

"Speaking."

"Hi. It's…it's Robert Lewis. Robbie."

"Oh, hello."

"Hi. Um, Superintendent Innocent gave me your number. She wants to invite us for dinner."

Ginny laughed, "Ah, I thought she might. Uh, look, I don't mean to be rude…"

Robbie interrupted, "Ginny, I think you're very nice, but I'm really not ready for…"

"I don't think that we…"

They both laughed, realizing they are saying the same thing. Robbie added, "Although, I can see why she thinks it might have been…"

"A viable project? Well, that's Jean, she's, um…all head and no heart sometimes." The doorbell rang in the background and she looked toward the door, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm going to have to go. There's…there's someone at the door. Bye."

"Bye, then." He ended the call sighing a breath of relief.

The PC marched Ginny through the yard towards a patrol car. She stared at Robbie and James as she walked past.

Innocent followed behind, touching Robbie on the arm as she approached. "I wish I could say good result."

"Ma'am."

They watched her walk away, each feeling the depth of her pain. Somehow, it made her more human. James looked up at the sky something smug in his expression.

"You're dying to tell me something, aren't you?"

"That quote about the heart and the head, Lewis, C.S."

"It would be."

"Do you know what one of The Inklings is meant to have said when Tolkien started reading them Lord of the Rings?"

"Oh, spare, me, Sergeant. I've had enough of imaginary worlds."

"You'll like it, sir, I promise."

Nodding, "Go on, then."

"They said, 'Not more flipping elves!'" Turning to meet Robbie's gaze, "Except that he didn't say flipping."

"Hmm." Robbie chuckled, "I like it." He strode to the car, feeling lighter than he had in days. Opening the door, he glanced across the car, "Home, James."

He was alone, no television, no music, just him and the silence of his flat. His brain was running wild, all of the details of the case running through a loop in his brain like some perverted film. But he found the case had distracted him from the pain. Allowed him to put it into perspective and move past it.

He supposed it was progress, something to be proud of. His stomach rumbled stopping the thoughts, turning them instead to what he could have for supper. Just as he pushed up from the sofa, there was a knock at the door.

His immediate thought was it was probably James, coming by to distract him. He walked across the flat, opening the door without even looking to see who it was.

Rather than finding James, he found a casually dressed Laura Hobson. She was holding some type of dish and was smiling up at him.

"I heard about your case. Thought you might like some comfort food." At his quizzical expression, "Lasagna."

"I like lasagna."

She shrugged, "Well what's not to like?" She handed it to him. "It's still warm. But you can heat it in the microwave if you need."

He took the dish, "Would you like to join me?" Motioning over his shoulder, "I think I have a bottle of wine."

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude."

He shook his head, "You're not intruding at all. I'd like the company."

They worked together. Laura fixing plates, Robbie opening wine. After sitting at the table, Robbie held up his glass, "To comfort food."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes when Robbie moaned. "Are you OK?"

He nodded, wiping his mouth. "Dr. Hobson, I think this might be the best thing I've eaten in a long time."

"Thank you." She took a sip of her wine, watching him over the edge of the glass. "Do you suppose we could drop the formalities? At least when we aren't in the office."

He nodded, "Why not at work as well? We have known each other a long time, been colleagues…" He paused, then more tentatively, "Friends."

"I'd like that."

They went back to eating. Eventually, Laura started giggling. Robbie looked at her, "What?"

"Did Innocent really try to set you up with your killer?"

He looked down, sheepishly, "Yeah, she did."

"Is this the second or third killer who's had an interest in you?"

He spluttered, "How did you…"

"Hathaway…"

"Nosy git."

"So, which is it?"

He sat back in his seat, smiling at her knowingly. "She wasn't interested in me. Turned me down."

Laura exploded with laughter, "It must be a sad dating pool when a murderer turns you down."

He stared at her for a moment, then laughter started bubbling out of him. "You're right. I mean if you can't get a murderer to go out with you, you must really be a lost cause."

They laughed for a moment longer, eyes catching as the it faded. Laura smiled, "I don't think you're a lost cause" Shrugging, "But maybe open up the dating pool to beyond your murder investigations in the future."

He nodded at her, smiling. "Seems like wise advice."

"It's getting late. I have an early post."

"Let me clean out your casserole dish."

She shook her head, "No, just return it when you finish." She stood, "You know, protocol says you should return it with something in it."

He laughed, "You might not want to risk that. I haven't quite made it casserole yet."

"You cook?"

He nodded, a fond smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, I've been having some lessons. But just simple things."

She smiled at him, a twinkle lighting her eye. "I like simple things."

"Good to know, Dr…Laura."

Motioning her head to the door, "I'll let myself out. See you tomorrow?"

He watched her walk away, nodding at her question. As her hand circled the door knob, he called out. "Laura." She paused, turning back to him. "What are you doing on Saturday?"

She shook her head, "Normal weekend stuff, cleaning, errands. Why?"

He looked down, somewhat embarrassed about what he was about to ask. "It's just one of the people we interviewed…she commented on my suit. Then James made a non comment about my suit." He looked up, met her even gaze. "Anyway, it's been a long time since I bought new suits. It might be nice to have some company, you know, a second opinion."

"I always have an opinion."

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes, but only if you let me buy you lunch afterwards."

"That'll be two meals I owe you."

Flicking her eyebrows up, she opened the door. "I suspect your good for it…Robbie."