Chapter 17

My apologies for the lengthy delays. My father passed away 2 weeks ago and apparently my muse went with him. I'm hoping she will return and won't be too ridiculously morose in the process.

She watched him as he bustled around the apartment. It was the first night since he'd come home from his dinner with Laura he'd seemed marginally happy. He'd always loved Halloween, especially when the kids were little.

He'd clung to her over the past few weeks. Rushing home as early as possible. It was like those months when she started teaching him to cook. They chatted about his day, watched telly or read together. Several nights, he'd even made her a cup of tea, setting it on the table in front of her.

He'd never said anything else about Laura since that night. She'd never answered his question and didn't dare approach it again. There was a fear deep within her that he would retreat further if she broached it. It was best to leave it until he was ready. He would come around.

The bell chimed, he put the costume glasses on, grabbed the bowl of candy and headed for the door. When he returned, with James trailing behind him, all of his joy was gone. It broke her heart; it would have been nice if, for a single night, crime could have been kept at bay.

He heard her car, didn't know how he knew it was her car but he did. Surreptitiously he turned, saw her get out of the car. He held his breath, she looked amazing. She was stepping into her scene suit when James finally noticed her.

Robbie followed as James walked towards her. She half-smiled at them as she pushed her arms into the scene suit, "Boys."

James smiled, "Doctor, you're looking very uh…"

Somewhat surprised it was James commenting on her appearances, she teased. "I was aiming a little higher than uhhhh, Sergeant." She zipped up her scene suit, staring at him the whole time, "But it's the thought that counts. Shall we?"

James, duly chastened, smiled as he looked down. He reached for the crime scene tape at the same time as Robbie allowing her to walk under it easily. Robbie's thoughts were running wild. James wasn't right by half. She looked magnificent. He shook his head; he couldn't have these thoughts. She was the person who would ruin things.

Marshalling his thoughts, trying to keep a benign look he delivered a bare bones run down of the scene. "The body was found just before half eight."

Still annoyed she was at a crime scene rather than in a nice restaurant, she spared him a dismissive glance. "I'll give a once over and that's your lot."

James had to inquire, had to know what her plans were. "Headed somewhere nice?"

She turned to him, "I do have a life you know. A small one but it's my own. And I'm running late so…"

They rounded the corner of the vehicle. The body was shrouded in darkness. She waited as Robbie moved the beam of his torch over the face of the prone woman. Ligeia, her college flat mate, one of her dinner companions for the night. It was the last thought she had before everything went dark.

Robbie watched her from the distance, sitting alone in the back of an ambulance looking lost. She looked tired, scared. Going to her would mean being drawn closer to her than He ached to go to her but knew he didn't have the right. He should leave it for James but found he couldn't. Drawn to her he deliberately shuffled his feet, not wanting to startle her.

She heard the footsteps, expected it to be one of the paramedics and turned to the noise. To her surprise it was Robbie stepping into the ambulance. It's the closest he'd been to her, alone, since that night on the bench.

She couldn't help but feel somewhat comforted by him, by his presence. It took her by surprise when she realized she wanted him to hold her, to comfort her. At his soft smile she pushed the thought away, making a joke at her own expense, "You'd think I'd be used to it by now."

Her strength never ceased to amaze him. The desire to comfort her, to take her into his arms and hold her, protect her almost overwhelmed him. He shook his head, pushing it away. He could be her friend, nothing more. "Oh, not like this. With a stranger sure, you can find some distance. But…" He motioned back to the scene and then climbed into the ambulance with her. "How did you know her?"

Fighting to keep her emotions in check, not just about Ligeia but her feelings about Robbie, she focused on the facts. "Flat mates, we were at college here together, same year." She took the handkerchief he offered, smiling at his chivalry. "Thanks, we were due to meet tonight believe it or not. Oh God, Ellen will be wondering where we are. Ellen Jacoby, when she's in town we try to get together to meet up, the three of us."

A small piece of him was relieved when she revealed her plans. It wasn't a date; just an evening with friends. He didn't have the right to feel relieved. At the end of the day, he wasn't going to let her get closer. Stepping out of the ambulance, he waved at her, "I'll let you get on with it." He took a few steps away, "Do you have any contact information for next of kin?"

Shocked at his sudden movement She wondered what had prompted him to pull away, "I don't but I'm sure Ellen does. I'll have her call James with the information."

He watched her sitting on the picnic table. She stared blankly out at the water. He knew she was thinking about her friend and the coincidence of the crime scene. But he wondered if she might be thinking of more.

Closing the distance between them, he smiled as he handed her the drink. "I had them make it extra strong. Figured you need a bit of bracing."

Smiling, she took the proffered drink. "Thank you." She took a sip from the drink, returned to staring out at the water.

He let the silence descend. With someone else, he might feel the need to push, to fill the silence. But with her, he was equally comfortable sitting quietly. They sat at the table watching the river drinking. "Who else was with you? Ellen mentioned a couple of lads."

She took a sip of her drink. "Oh, Peter and Alec. Peter Hawkins and Alec Pickman."

"Still in touch?"

She shook her head. "I saw Alec a couple of years back on the Broad. Not to talk to, I was driving but…"

"Where is he now?"

She looked at him. "Around, from all I'd heard he'd given up poetry to become an artist. He read English, took a gap year and then did his D Phil." She thought for a moment. "To be honest, I think the only reason he stayed on was because of Ligeia."

"They were an item?"

She smiled and nodded. THE item, for her part anyway. Alec was mad, bad and lock up your daughters." She took a drink.

"And Peter Hawkins?"

She shook her head. "I don't have a clue."

"When did you see him last?"

She laughed. "Now you're asking. Couple of days before the after finals bash." She looked at him. "I came down with mumps of all things. So Cinders you shall not go to the ball." She laughed. "My dad picked me up and drove me home. By the time I'd recovered we'd all gone our separate ways."

"So you didn't see him again?"

She shrugged. "I called him a couple of times. But I never heard back. People slip through the cracks if you're not careful."

They stared at the water for a few more moments. Robbie ran his hand up her arm. "Do you want another drink?"

She shook her head, "No, that one was quite strong enough." He smiled, they fell into silence. Each turning to stare at the river. "I've missed our Sunday lunches. I've missed you."

Shrugging, "Just busy. Life, crime…"

"Of course…" She paused, cutting her eyes at him to watch his response, "You'd tell me if I'd done something, wouldn't you?"

Unaware he was being watched, he flinched. He couldn't possibly tell her the reason he was staying away from her. No one could ever know. "No, it's nothing you've done. It was unfair of me to monopolize your time." Turning to her, he smiled sadly, "Like you said, you have a life."

Had he turned one second sooner, he would have seen the pain on her face. By the time their eyes met, she had shut down her emotions, buried them deep within. "Yes, quite right. And I should probably be getting on with it now." She hopped down from the picnic bench, landing easily. "Thanks for the drink. If you have any more questions, about the case, please call."

She was gone before he could muster a response. He watched her retreating form; knowing he had pushed her away. The pain tearing through him was unexpected.

Robbie was surprised when Ellen answered the door. He supposed he shouldn't be and was somewhat relieved she had someone to look after her. He nodded, "Dr. Jacoby, is Dr. Hobson, Laura, here?"

She smiled, taking a step back. "Of course, she's upstairs. Have a seat in the sunroom, I'll get her."

James followed him in, didn't ask question about Robbie knowing the way around Laura's house. He took a seat and could feel James lurking behind him. A small piece of him knew he should have let James handle this alone. But the rest of him hoped this would push her further away. Perhaps it was the coward's way out but he couldn't lose Val, not even for Laura.

He half stood when she entered the room. Somehow she looked smaller, more fragile. Of course, she was a tiny woman but she'd never seemed small. Once again, the feeling of pain twinged through his body, harder, more urgent, than before.

When she sat, confusion clouding her face, he told her why they were here. At the end of the explanation, she seemed even more confused, "You don't remember speaking to her?"

"That's because I didn't speak to her. When was this meant to be?"

James handed her the paper, "Last call is three weeks ago, October the 8th, 23:10, 9 seconds in duration."

Looking at the paper, she frowned before shaking her head, "Nope. There was…I did get this weird message. But that was eons back."

James handed her another piece of paper, "First call, March the 17th, 20 past 4 in the afternoon 1 minute and 8 seconds in duration."

"Well I don't know if it was this woman but it was a woman's voice. I don't even really remember what she said. Something along the lines of she'd found my number in the phone book and if I was the Laura Hobson she was looking I'd know what it was about."

Robbie watched her carefully, "Anything else?"

She thought for a moment, "Well, it was a bit odd. But I am pretty sure she mentioned Rochester."

From behind Laura, Ellen added, "Rochester, oh I've never been to Rochester."

Laura laughed, happy for the moment's levity. Robbie continued, "And you never called her back?"

"No, I just assumed she got hold of the wrong Laura Hobson." She looked at James who had to look away.

Robbie looked at her. "Look, I know this is going to sound…Can anyone vouch for your movements the night that Professor Willard died?"

Laura laughed certain he was kidding. Her confusion slowly turned to hurt, "Robbie?"

He closed his eyes and shaking his head, "It's procedure."

She looked at James then back to Robbie. When she finally spoke, her voice was softer, hurt. "No, there isn't. I left work about 6:30 and went home. I got ready and I was just about to leave for the Turl Club when I got the call to attend Ligeia. I phoned Ellen and left a message to say I'd be late and I drove straight to the institute." She shook her head at him, anger beginning to build, "Anything else?" Raising her voice, slightly, "Do you want me to account for the night the girl got killed to?"

Robbie closed his eyes, "Please."

She stared, eyes devoid of any emotion, "I took a valium and had an early night. Ellen was watching TV downstairs; she'll tell you I never left the house."

Ellen nodded, "She didn't."

Laura stood, "Unless you need something else, I think we're done here."

Robbie stood, bumping the table between them. "If we have any more questions?"

"I guess I'll have to answer them. Won't I?"

She left before he could respond. The stab of pain returned, almost made him stumble. Ellen stepped forward. "Gentleman, I'll show you out."

He paced the floor of his flat, Val watching. She hadn't appeared to him yet, had simply watched. She was desperately trying to discern what was the cause of this angst. She hadn't seen him quite this upset since that night.

Finally, when she was certain, he was neither going to calm nor tell her what had happened, she spoke. "What happened?"

He startled, surprised at her sudden appearance, but kept walking. "Nothing."

Motioning with her hand, she mimicked his steps. "So this is all about exercise?" He stopped pacing, turning to glare at her. She smiled, kindly, "Talk to me, Robbie."

"I pushed her away."

Val exhaled, a completely unnecessary action, but altogether human. "Why?"

His stricken look made her take a step forward, reach for him. "You know why. She makes you go away."

She shook her head, "Not her, you make me go away."

"No, I would never."

"Yes, you will, when you're ready."

He shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. "No, I'll never be ready."

"You will be, not today, not even tomorrow. But trust me, my love. You will be ready one day."

His head fell, the tears escaped his eyes, tracking down his cheeks. "It hurt so much."

"I know. But it gets easier."

His head snapped up, "Not missing you, pushing her away."

Robbie watched her. She still seemed small, like she had that day at her home. But now she didn't seem quite so fragile, simply tired. She never failed to amaze him. Most people would have fallen apart at what she'd been through. Somehow, she seemed stronger.

Laura said something to Pickman he couldn't hear. There was a touch of a scowl on her face, she had clearly rebuffed some attempt from the man. Without a glance back at him, she turned to Robbie. In that moment, when their eyes met, he saw the fragileness return. For the first time, he wondered if the strength was an act. Who took care of her he wondered.

Slowly, but surely, she made a beeline for him. "Robbie, thank you." She placed her hand on his chest, "If you hadn't…"

The warmth of her hand seemed to heal the pain he'd been feeling of late. Val's words built to a crescendo in his head. Laura wasn't the one who would make her go away, he would, when he was ready.

Smiling down at her, "We did. And we always will." She returned his smile, the fragileness seemed to push away. Motioning away from the cemetery, "Blow away the cobwebs?"

They turned, started walking. When she took his arm, he didn't pull away. Instead, he allowed himself to be draw marginally closer as they walked. Today wasn't the day, but one day, they would both be ready.