Chapter 40

He straightened his tie as he looked in the mirror. A slight smile played at the edge of his lips. He hadn't slept much the night before, his thoughts turning to her all night long. As first dates went, last night had been closed to perfect. A broader smile lit his face, who was he kidding, it was perfect.

Turning, he looked around the room. He could feel Val's presence. He'd often thought she watched him without appearing. There were times when he'd felt an odd sense of peace for no reason and knew it was her.

"Val, I'm not sure if you're here…" He rubbed under his left eye, searching for the words. "Thank you, for everything. I don't know if I would be here without you, without your help, your guidance. I loved you from the first moment I saw you. I will always love you." He took a deep breath, "You said you would stay until I didn't need you any longer. All I ask, don't leave without saying goodbye."

He wanted to see her, needed to see her. He wondered if she would mind if he dropped by the morgue. Perhaps if he had a reason, she would be more accepting of an impromptu visit.

With the two cups of coffee in his hands, he watched her through the window for a minute. One of the many things he loved about her was how good she was at her job. She was always so patient with those who worked for her. He smiled thinking she was not always that patient with Detective Inspectors, except when it came to him.

He knocked on the window and held up the two coffee cups. She turned to him with a serious look which softened the minute she saw him. She excused herself and joined him in the hallway. He handed her the cup and she thanked him before leaning against the wall. "Heartless attacking two kids, eh?"

Robbie two a half step closer just wanting to be nearer to her. "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 looked down at her thinking how much he would like to kiss her. But he knew her well enough to know that she would not appreciate him doing that at work.

Before he could do in thing, he felt her hand on his chest. "Thanks for the coffee. Why don't you go solve this case?"

"Celebratory drinks afterward?"

She smiled up at him, "I'd like that."

He touched his cup to hers, smiling, "Consider it a date."

"Two dates in two days. What's come over you, Inspector Lewis?"

"I think it might be the company I keep, Dr. Hobson." He walked away leaving her laughing in the hallway. There was a spring in his step as he thought about his next steps. Steps he needed to finish so he could make good on his promise of a second date.

An apology for my delay in posting this. I actually have the ending written, just need a few filler chapters and my muse has vacated my head. It's been a rough few months. My mother passed away in April. We've been estranged for years but still there were things to contend with. And, as often happened with mother, she died at a most inconvenient time. I should probably have some sense of loss but find I can't summon up the feeling. Perhaps one day, it will bite me in the ass. Perhaps the loss of my muse is my sense loss. Who knows. I hope to finish the last two chapters this weekend and post it all by the end of the week.

I have an idea for a one off story that is reflective of other things going on in my life. It will be a bit more melancholy but still meaningful. Anyway, I've rambled on long enough. Thanks, as always, for reading.