Chapter 38

He stared at the ceiling, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His thoughts returned to the night before. The whole evening had been as easy as turning a page. Whether it was because he was ready or because she was the right person he didn't know. And, he didn't care what the reason was. The only important thing was that he'd turned the page.

She stared at the ceiling, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. All thoughts were of the night before. She hadn't expected anything like what happened when he'd asked her to dinner. The evening had exceeded all of her expectations.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this excited. Throwing the covers to the side, he hopped out of bed, ready to start his day. He whistled as he went about his morning routine. The only thing on his mind was figuring out an excuse he could use to see her this morning.

Throwing aside the covers, she almost leapt from the bed. Her mind already actively thinking of how she could see him today. He couldn't remember the last time she'd been this excited.

On the drive to the office, the idea came to him. A simple cup of coffee and conversation about the case, it had worked throughout their relationship, no need to reinvent the wheel. He'd stopped at her favorite coffee place, ordered her favorite coffee, then steered easily to her office.

He wandered the halls in search of her unsurprised when he found her in the procedure room. Watching her through the window, he smiled to himself. She was the most patient person he knew. Even when she lost patience with him, he always knew she still cared.

He knocked on the window and held up the two coffee cups. She turned to him with a serious face but still managed to give him a flirty look. Excusing herself, she joined him in the hallway. He handed her the cup and she thanked him before leaning against the wall. Painfully aware there were many ears around them, she kept to the case, "Heartless attacking two kids, eh?"

Robbie took a half step closer just wanting to be nearer to her and understanding her comment. "Well I can't see who'd want to. Nice kids too, hard-working lad, do anything to earn a…" Robbie paused thinking for a moment.

Laura looked up at him expectantly. "Should I be getting on with something?"

"Repatriation. Miller brings bodies back from abroad. Ex-pats, people who've died on their holidays…" Robbie reached into his pocket for his ringing mobile. "Oh, just in time, Hathaway. Morning Sargent."

"Do you know how hard it is reading road signs in Serbo-Croat?"

"I had a weekend in Wales once."

"Amusing sir. I popped into the police station."

"Any of them speak English?"

James nodded. "Yeah better than I speak Serbo-Croat fortunately. They came out straight away. They've been watching this place for months looking for an excuse."

Robbie handed his cup to Laura. "Here I'm going to put you on loud speaker." Robbie pressed the button and held the phone between him and Laura. "Laura Hobson's here so mind your language."

James sighed. "Morning."

Laura smiled at the phone. "Hello James, are you having a good time?"

Robbie interrupted. "Yeah, can we do all of that when he gets back?"

Laura smirked at him. James butted into their conversation. "Crystal meth sir. The farmhouse is a crystal meth factory."

Robbie took a deep breath. "Well, well, no wonder the Faulkner's have such big fat bank balances."

"Well they are shipping stuff all over Europe."

"So where's Cornish now? Rotting in some Serbo-Croat cell?"

"Vanished. Ten minutes after he saw me probably."

"I'll make sure we put a watch on all of the airports and ferries." Robbie could hear James smoking through the phone. "You ever try one of these electronic cigarettes?" Laura closed her eyes and shook her head."

"Sorry?"

"Help you give up the habit. You ever tried one?"

James shook his head. "No."

"Well you should."

James pulled the phone away from his head and stared at it then threw away his cigarette. Robbie ended the call then looked at Laura. "How much crystal meth do you reckon you could hide in a coffin?"

Laura smiled at him. "Probably quite a lot."

He frowned, "Sorry to cut our time short…"

Nodding her head, "Duty calls. Go on, go be brilliant."

Looking around and not seeing anyone, he risked reaching out, pushed a lock of hair off her forehead. "Meet me later, take a walk?"

Biting her lower lip, she nodded. "Let me know when and where."