S1 E5 – You Have Got to Stop Doing That

'Vincent Carter' laughs and says, "You have a very vivid imagination!"

Poole hesitates so fractionally that it barely registers but his eyes flick swiftly to his Detective Sergeant then back to his target. Whatever imaginings he has are quashed with an iron will with decades of practice. Now is not the time.

"Indeed, I do."

Minutes later:

As the newly revealed Leon Hamilton is marched triumphantly away, Poole smooths down his jacket front and feels (another) menacing presence at his back. Knowing full well who it is, he sighs and pivots to face her.

He puts his hands behind his back and gives his best bored look, "Yes?"

She is practically shaking with anger. And fear? She's still hard to read but not when she's angry. Her emotions all show in her eyes. Yes, he decides, fear. Interesting.

"You have got to stop doing that!" she almost shouts.

"Doing what, exactly?" he deadpans.

"Keeping your conclusions a secret until 'the reveal'!"

"And why is that? It is just about my only solace in Life."

"Because! What if he had another knife, eh? He could have stabbed you." She thrusts a fist inside his suit jacket, bumping him just below his diaphragm. "Who would solve the case then? You must tell me BEFORE you confront our suspects. That way, I can back you up 100%."

He considers her. She looks back with intensity. Hmm, perhaps another slow reveal is in order. He takes a scholarly breath and a chance, "But that would mean taking you completely into my confidence. Showing you the workings of my mind. Sharing my innermost thoughts and feelings."

She nods, "YES! Yes, it would. Partners… GREAT partners do that. And we can be great. I feel it!"

She is quite fierce when on the hunt. Well, so can he be. He glances down to draw her attention to the fact that her hand is still buried beneath his jacket, "I believe that is ME you are feeling."

A quick startled glance, a little gasp, a hasty withdrawal, "Oh. Sorry. I didn't… "

He studies her downcast eyes and defiant stance. A loyal warrior and worthy opponent, "Not at all. I am coming to find our interactions most invigorating, opening up new avenues of possibilities."

"You are?" She looks wary.

"Indeed."

"Our interactions? You and me?" A small smile plays at the corners of her mouth.

"Yes, and I think an open and frank sharing between us is called for. Highly overdue, in fact."

Her satisfied, if slightly puzzled, look lasts for only a moment before he leans forward fractionally to murmur, "And soon, please." He is out the door and gone. He doesn't look back but he hears her rush to the doorway to watch him. He can imagine the war waging in her sharp mind, the mind he can't see into but is beginning to trust implicitly.

He smiles to himself. Hope rears its awful head once more in his breast.

He mounts the station steps, sits at his desk, hands clasped before him.

He watches the door. Waits.

Will she come?

END – S1 E5 - You Have Got to Stop Doing That