Nikki took in the accident scene at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning and realized this wasn't one she could do alone. Leo and Janet were away for the weekend, she'd have to call Harry for back up. She hesitated for a moment, not sure she wanted to disturb Harry on the weekend. Ever since their walk in the park a few weeks back Nikki felt awkward about calling him. When they saw each other at work it was fine, they'd even been out to lunch together once or twice and that went well too but actually calling him up was a different matter. She had resigned herself to the idea that friendship with Harry was all there ever would be between them and that now everything was like it had always been between them. That was a good thing, right? After all, she wouldn't want to lose her best friend! Still, in the recesses of her mind awkwardness remained. She had not long ago dared hint at more to Harry and he had brushed her aside. While she preferred to not dwell on that, a churn in her stomach manifested itself once in a while and it was that which made her hesitate to make that call.
"Nikki, get a grip!" she told herself as she again surveyed the accident scene and then she dialled Harry's number.
"Hi Nikki," she heard a sleepy Harry say, "I suspect you really must be in dire need of some Cunningham wisdom for you to be calling so early… Who died?"
Nikki chuckled, "Sorry to disturb you, oh you wise man, but there's been an accident and I need you here to help me. 3 cars involved, 5 casualties, 3 wounded are just being sent to hospital…"
"Right," he said, "Tell me where…" but he couldn't finish his sentence as it sounded like he drew in a heavy breath as if he was being punched and then Nikki heard loud giggles in the background. A woman's giggles, and a hiss in response from Harry saying, "Shhh."
The woman didn't seem to take any heed and said into the phone, "You're his colleague from work, aren't you? He's always on about you. Got a new case?"
"Kate!" she heard Harry exclaim, then all sorts of noises and then a hollow sound, as if Harry was in a hallway or bathroom.
"I'm sorry about that…"
"Got company?" Nikki asked sweetly, but not wanting to hear the answer, she quickly continued, "Look, I don't want to disturb your Sunday morning romp, but as I said there's been a terrible accident here and it's more than I can handle on my own. Could you please come down and lend a hand? I'd call Leo, but he's in Wales for the weekend with Janet…"
"It's no problem, Nikki. I'll be there. Erm, where do I have to be?"
Nikki told him where and quickly rang off before he could say anymore. Her heart was beating wildly. A woman with Harry very early on Sunday morning, meaning she must have spent the night. She sounded very at home. A woman named Kate. He'd never mentioned her before. Was this something serious? "I wish I'd never called him!" Nikki thought desperately. She had the urge to flee the scene before Harry arrived but no, she was a professional. Above all she was a professional and Harry was just a colleague and just a friend, she could do this. She shook her head, shoulders and arms, as if to shake off any unpleasant thoughts, and set to work.
Harry was quick; he arrived at the scene within 30 minutes. She saw him coming from the corner of her eye. She was glad she had seen him, it gave her a moment to steel herself and say "Good morning, Harry!" in her most cheerful tone.
"Good morning, Nikki. I've come to impart my wisdom and skill. Update?"
Nikki smiled at his easy manner and sketched the situation for him, setting him to work on the bodies furthest away from her. There were 5 casualties to look at, with evidence to secure, so no time for small talk.
When they were finally done they agreed they'd start the PM's the next day. They got out of their suits and packed up their gear. Nikki wanted to make a quick exit with a "Have a good Sunday, Harry, and see you tomorrow!" but as she walked by him, he grabbed her arm so that she had to turn back to face him.
"How about some breakfast?" he asked, studying her features
"No, thanks," she smiled, writhing out of his grip. "I'll just head home now; I have stuff in my fridge."
"Oh, come on! Where's the fun in that?"
"Look, Harry, I heard your lady friend, I'm sure she's waiting for you to have breakfast with her. Just go…" Nikki said, avoiding his glance,
"Ah…right, Kate. She is… well, an old friend and we hooked up again a few weeks ago. It's not…"
"Look, Harry, you don't owe me an explanation! You can do as you please," Nikki said, forcing herself to look at him like she didn't care and smile. "Have fun!"
"I probably should have told you earlier…" Harry started.
"Well, yes, that would have been nice," Nikki said, "But I guess we're not the kind of friends we used to be."
"Of course we are," he answered assuredly.
Nikki breathed deeply, "Listen, I can't do this on an empty stomach after having looked at dead bodies…"
"This is exactly why I suggested breakfast!" Harry said, "Oh, come on, Nikki! I already told Kate to go home as I had no idea how long I'd be. Please have breakfast with me? You look like you could use some food and I know I could!"
"I don't…" Nikki started, but Harry just grabbed her hand and marched her off and she allowed it.
Over croissants and coffee they chatted about the case and wondered how Leo and Janet were enjoying their weekend away. Nikki did everything to keep the conversation going and keep it away from Harry's latest conquest. She would be fine as long as they steered clear of the topic of Kate. But then, just as Harry had paid the bill, a silence fell and Harry said, "Nikki, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Kate."
Nikki gave him a strained smile, "That's alright, Harry."
"She and I had a bit of a… fling… some 10 years ago and she somehow found me again and contacted me a few weeks ago… and well, one thing led to another…"
"Harry, I don't need to know." Nikki said, getting up. As they left the restaurant she did add, "I just wonder at why you couldn't tell us, Leo and me."
"You know why I couldn't," Harry said softly, walking close beside her.
Nikki said nothing for a moment, then answered, "I still wish you had."
"I'm sorry."
"Listen, if we really are the friends you say we are, you'd have mentioned it," Nikki said, "But yes, you wanted more of a distance between us and you're probably right, I see that, I see why you didn't want to tell me or Leo."
At that moment Harry's cell rang. Apparently Kate.
"Oh yes… I forgot… alright, I'll meet you there…" Nikki heard Harry mutter quickly before ringing off and turning his attention back to Nikki.
"You and I, we still are friends, you know... good friends..." he began, searching her face.
"Yes, of course," she smiled gently, returning his gaze for a moment before breaking it and saying, "You've got to go. Don't keep her waiting."
"Nikki, I don't want this to come between us…"
Now she got impatient and she couldn't hold all she felt in any longer.
"Oh Harry, for goodness sake, I already told you it's alright! Just go and don't keep her waiting! You don't owe me any explanations." She really should have stopped talking there, but she couldn't and went on, "Just go on out, have your relationship where you don't have to share your true self, marry her, have babies with her and be happy. You owe me nothing." By this time Nikki was glaring at him. Harry looked a bit taken aback, then shook his head and exclaimed, "You have no idea about Kate…"
"No, but I do know you, Harry, and you are apparently starting to live your superficial little dream. Fine by me, it's your life."
Eyes blazing Harry took a step closer to Nikki and dangerously, quietly said, "You know what? It's... easy... with Kate. We have fun... no questions asked...no prying… no sticking her nose into other people's lives and being helpful… Quite a nice change actually!"
"Well, I'm glad you're so happy, then!" Nikki spat back, still glaring at him, their noses almost touching.
Nikki couldn't help herself, she felt a pull towards Harry and she could swear he was leaning in more as well as they each studied the other's lips. If some biker hadn't passed at that moment, ringing his bell fiercely at them, yelling "Woohoo!" Nikki would've succumbed, thrown all caution into the wind and would have kissed him. The bell got her back to her senses and Harry too seemed to awaken. He took a step back and with a shake of his head he said, "Right, I'm going. Hot date with Kate. See you tomorrow."
Nikki pressed her lips together for a forced smile and a nod as he turned away and she quickly turned away too, walking into the other direction.
It was time again, she decided. Time to find an unsuitable fling to stop her thinking of Harry.