Chapter 45

Laura was parked in her car debating her next step. On the seat to her left was a bottle and a bouquet of flowers. The bottle was as she had been asked to do. The flowers were a separate errand. Before she could change her mind, she grabbed the flowers and left the relative comfort of her car.

It was a short walk from her car to her destination. This wasn't the first time she'd visited this particular place but it had been a long time. The walk was peaceful, quiet. By the time she reached the simple plot her nerves had calmed.

With efficient movements, she took the old flowers, placed there by someone unknown to her, and replaced them with her own. It was rare she came out and there weren't flowers at the grave. It always made her smile wondering what admirer had made the same trek she did.

Clearing away a few random leaves, she smiled at the simple gravestone. Partly because of her fondness for the person buried here and partly because she knew how much his full name would annoy him: Endeavour Morse.

"I know it isn't possible. But I swear I can smell your cloying cologne. How do you do that?"

"It's all in your mind."

She turned, smiling up at him, "Hello, Inspector Mouse."

He shook his head, "It wasn't funny then, it isn't funny now."

"Your Sergeant thought it was funny, still does, point of fact."

"And you would be well placed to know that."

She looked down at her feet, smiling shyly, "Yes, I would."

"I always told you patience was a virtue."

Arching a single eyebrow, "Is that why you turned me down all of those years ago?"

He chuckled, "Are you asking if I knew twenty odd years ago that one day you and my very married sergeant would fall in love?"

"Something like that."

"As good as I was, omniscience was never one of my many talents." At her rolled eyes, he scoffed. "Would you prefer that I knew my health was failing and I wouldn't be around for much longer. That I knew he was going to be alone and need a friend. If you and I had ever been involved, he wouldn't have trusted you."

Laura shrugged, knowing there was probably more than a bit of truth in his words. "Seems logical and a lovely way to soothe my wounded ego."

"Beyond a brief moment, you were never wounded. And it all turned out for the best."

"Yes, it did."

"Are you happy, Laura?"

"Yes, I am, Morse." They stood in silence for a moment, "Will I see you again?"

"No."

She nodded, "I expect I'll miss you."

"Even my cloying cologne?"

She laughed lightly, "Even that."

He smiled down at her, "You should be off then. Wouldn't want to be late?"

"Thank you."

He watched her walk away, "Laura." Waiting until she turned to him, "You'll never be able to tell him. But if you ever do, tell Lewis, you're welcome."

Her breath caught, understanding the meaning. Without another word, she nodded then turned and walked away.

"Did you know, all of those years ago?"

"As I told her, I knew he would need a friend. The rest was unforeseen. Have you said your goodbyes?"

"Yes, he was cleaning."

"Then it's time we were on our way."

"Will we ever see them again?"

He shrugged as he offered his arm to her, "I guess that depends on what your definition of an afterlife is. But we've finished our business."

Lightly taking his arm, she glanced up at him, "Do you suppose they will be happy?"

"Yes, they will be."

"Thank you, Endeavour."

And here is where we end. I've had this ending written for 2 years and finally, I get around to publishing. I briefly debated writing a chapter 45 with Robbie & Laura and the beginning of their evening together. But this was always a story about the ghosts. So ending with the ghosts having been working together the whole time seemed the best way to end it.

Thank you, readers. For your patience, for your kind words, and for your friendship. It's been a joy!