Ta muchly for reading and reviewing. Without further delay …

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xxxxx

Chapter 6

"Oh God, Faye. What the hell has he got himself involved in?"

Lorraine gazed up at her friend, her eyes red rimmed. She was clutching Jason's hand in hers, stroking little circles soothingly with a thumb even though he was heavily sedated. His breathing was slow and even, his long lashes sweeping his cheeks, but the right side of his face was swollen and puffy and Faye winced when her gaze strayed lower to the purple and yellow bruising visible on his chest. Apparently he'd been lucky, given the severity of the beating he'd received. There were no signs of internal bleeding but he had been left with a sprained wrist and a couple of broken ribs.

"I don't know, love. Hopefully he'll be able to tell us more when he comes round."

"He kept repeating my name, you know. That's why they called me. That must count for something, surely?"

Lorraine looked at her for reassurance and Faye squeezed her shoulder.

"Of course it does. Can I get you a sandwich or something? You've hardly eaten all day."

Lorraine sighed.

"Not sure I can face anything at the moment. Maybe just a coffee?"

"On my way …"

Halfway out of the door, her mobile began to ring. She turned right, reaching into her pocket to switch it off at the same time - and walked slap bang into a wall of solid muscle.

"Ooof …"

Her head flew up and she found herself gazing into a very attractive pair of steely grey eyes. Or were they more a silvery blue? She was still pondering the matter when she noticed the corner of his mouth twitching with suppressed amusement and realised both her palms were still resting on his impressively broad chest.

"Oh. I'm so sorry."

She stepped back, feeling the colour rush to her face, but he just smiled revealing perfectly even white teeth.

"No harm done."

He glanced at the door she'd just stepped through.

"Are you here for Jason Grant?"

Faye nodded, hardly trusting herself to speak. The man was a veritable god. Well over six feet, dark blond hair she could spend all night running her fingers through, a mouth made entirely for sin and those eyes … oh Lord, those eyes …

"Lorraine, by any chance?"

She shook her head and found her voice again.

"Actually, I'm Faye. Her flatmate. And you are?"

"DCI Walsh. I've been assigned to the case."

He flashed a warrant card in her direction.

"Would you … um … mind answering a few questions?" He glanced back over his shoulder. "There's a drinks machine around the corner with a seating area. I could stand you a coffee."

"I prefer tea, as a rule."

He pursed his lips and shook his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Probably taking your life in your hands."

"I'll risk it this once."

"Brave woman."

Wow, that smile should be available on the National Health …

xxxxx

"So. You and Lorraine share a flat. I'm assuming she and Jason are involved?"

Faye nodded.

"They were an item before he went to prison and they got back together just after his release. Are you aware of his background at all?"

"Yeah, I did some quick research. Interesting bloke, our Mr Grant."

Faye sighed.

"Indeed. Although he looked me right in the eye and told me he didn't want to go back to his old life, and he seemed genuine. I believed him, and so did Lorraine. Until last night, that is."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What happened last night?"

Faye filled him in about the phone call, the mysterious assignation and the photos.

"Don't suppose you've got your camera with you?"

She delved into her bag, withdrawing it triumphantly.

"Rarely leave home without it."

As he trawled through the footage she watched him covertly. Outrageously handsome. Intelligent. Charming. Bound to be married. No ring, though. He passed the camera back.

"Hmmm. And you're sure that neither you nor Lorraine had seen this woman before?"

Faye shook her head.

"Positive. And although it looks bad I'd be genuinely surprised if he was cheating on her. He seems completely besotted."

DCI Walsh pouted thoughtfully and Faye suddenly realised who he reminded her of. Slightly squarer jaw and his nose was missing the attractive kink but the colouring, the eyes and the mouth were so familiar. Oh my. Seems I've found Jason's twin after all. She suppressed the giggle that rose unbidden in her throat as he turned his attention to her again.

"Don't suppose you could e-mail me copies of a couple of those photos – the ones that best show her face?"

Faye shrugged.

"No problem. I'll do it as soon as we get home."

"Thanks, that'd be really helpful. I've got a gut feeling she's the key to this somehow. E-mail and phone number's on here."

He passed her his card and she slid it into an inside pocket of her bag. When she looked up again he was watching her, his expression one of genuine concern.

"How is Lorraine, by the way? This can't have been an easy couple of days for either of you."

Faye blew out a long breath.

"Pretty much as you'd expect, really. Distraught, confused, exhausted …"

He nodded.

"In which case I won't bother her with any questions tonight. You've given me more than enough to go on for now." He paused. "Um … will you both be here in the morning?"

Was it her imagination or was that a slightly loaded question?

"I guess so. It's going to be difficult enough persuading Lorraine to go home and get some sleep, to be honest. I doubt wild horses would keep her away tomorrow."

"That's good. I might … er … have some further questions. About the photos, or whatever."

He held her gaze a little longer than necessary and a definite spark passed between them. As he got up to take his leave she took a calming breath, her heart skittering about beneath her ribcage.

"Right, I'd better head off. I'll see you tomorrow then, Faye."

"Goodnight, DCI Walsh."

He paused, flashing her one of those knicker-melting smiles.

"David, please."

She returned the smile.

"Night then, David."

She watched his tall elegant figure until he rounded the corner and then picked up a magazine and began to fan herself rapidly. Hot or what?

xxxxx

She remembered Lorraine's coffee and her friend raised a quizzical eyebrow as she accepted it gratefully.

"You've been a while. Meet a handsome doctor, or something?"

Faye smirked.

"Not exactly. Let's just say I've been helping the police with their enquiries. Willingly."

Lorraine narrowed her eyes.

"You look like the cat that got the cream. Who is he? Spill …"

Faye snorted.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough. Now, don't you think we should go home and get some kip?"

As Lorraine was about to protest a nurse came in to check on Jason and Faye saw her opportunity.

"He's in good hands. Isn't he, nurse?"

The pretty redhead nodded, before returning her attention to her patient.

"He'll be out for the count tonight, though, just to be on the safe side. You may as well go home and come back in the morning. Don't worry – we'll take good care of him."

She flashed them both a smile and Faye tugged at Lorraine's sleeve.

"Come on, love. You're no use to him dead on your feet."

xxxxx

As they headed into the lift, Lorraine chewed on her lip.

"I didn't like the way that nurse was gawking at him."

Faye rolled her eyes, suppressing a smirk.

"She was just doing her job. And if one of the perks of said job is a good looking bloke to ogle, who can blame her?"

Lorraine narrowed her eyes.

"Hmmm. She better not be 'ogling' anything below the waist."

Faye couldn't resist.

"If I were in her shoes I'm not sure I'd be able to resist a sneaky peek …"

Lorraine's outraged expression had her sniggering all the way back to the car.

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xxxxx

OK, hands up all those who'd be able to resist that kind of temptation? No – thought not! ;)

Hope people are still reading and enjoying. Do let me know …

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A/N I'm no medical expert but it did suit my purposes to have Jason 'out of it' for a while. Let's call it minor risk of head injury, shall we? And a little dramatic licence!